MANSFIELD, Ohio – The Richland Academy of the Arts gave a taste of things to come Saturday night, hosting a preview party of its upcoming holiday performance.
The academy dancers will put on “The Nutcracker” three times between Dec. 4 and 5 at Shelby High School.
While the dancers have performed the classic before, Richland Academy Dance Department Chair Sarah Horrigan-Ramos said it will be the first time the dancers have performed the production during the holiday season.
Horrigan-Ramos is directing the performance alongside her husband, Marden Ramos.
“It’s been a full team at the academy putting this together and has been quite exciting,” Horrigan-Ramos said. “Our dancers are working in the studio seven days a week with their regular classes, as well as schoolwork and putting together ‘The Nutcracker.’”
Performance dates are set for 7 p.m. Dec. 4 and 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 5. Tickets, which are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors, are available at https://web.tututix.com/richlandacademy.
Lauren Beard, a dancer at the academy and student at Ontario High school, said putting the performance together has been “absolutely crazy.”
“But in the best way possible, and it’s been a lot of fun,” she said.
Dancer Schuyler Kunkel, who is home-schooled, agreed.
“With all the hours we put in, it’s really stressful but in the end it’s so worth it seeing it all play out so well,” she said.
During the preview, attendees were treated to wine and cheese and other holiday-themed refreshments and were able to participate in a raffle. Coffee also was provided by Relax, It’s Just Coffee.
The dancers performed a handful of notable acts, giving onlookers a snippet of the production.
Jillian Cordial, who is a student at Lexington High School, said it’s an honor to carry on the holiday tradition and share it with others.
“I hope that children, the elderly, and everyone of all ages enjoys it,” she said.
Kylee Dettmer also is taking part in the performance. She is a student at Clear Fork Middle School.
“I’m really nervous because it’s the first time I’ve ever had a major role in a performance like this, but I think it’s really fun to be able to carry on the Christmas tradition,” she said.
Speaking of tradition, Horrigan-Ramos said Richland Academy’s rendition of “The Nutcracker” will be traditional – and for specific reasons.
“We really are family-oriented here at the Richland Academy, and we think the traditional ‘Nutcracker’ is very important for our dancers to perform, so that when they go out into the real world they will know what it’s like to put this production on,” she said. “We have little students – younger kids who are 3 years old – who look up to these dancers and see them in the studio, so it’s really nice that they can see them on stage.
“And they love and live the magic, and they think of these kids as role models.”
She added that the girls performing the holiday classic are “great” role models for the younger dancers at the academy.
Lex senior Rachel Weilbacker said she has performed “The Nutcracker” before and is excited to dance with Richland Academy.
Likewise, Ontario High School student Willa Marks said she is eager because the dancers have been working “really hard” every day of the week.
“I’m just really glad I can dance with all my friends,” she said. “It’s really fun to be together all the time.”
According to Horrigan-Ramos, the academy received grants from the Richland County Foundation and MT Business Technologies this year, giving the production the ability to purchase new costumes and a “growing” Christmas tree.
“It’s very exciting to bring not only the talent of the dancers but also the magic to the stage,” she said. “So we’re excited to go to Shelby and put this production on.”
