Every year, when the Christmas season approaches, dancers of the Royal City Youth Ballet descend upon Abbotsford to perform everybody’s favorite Christmas classic “The Nutcracker.”
The company currently holds the distinction of being the longest running seasonal ballet performance in Canada and for the past 24 years has attracted young dancers from various dance schools around the lower mainland.
This year many of those dancers hail from the Abbotsford area and have been cast in supporting roles.
Abbotsford’s Myra McBeth and Amaillie Holmsen-Wong are two of the youngest members and have been cast as baby mice and Emileigh Gesner will play the dancing bear.
In addition, three children from the Jones family will also be performing. Ryan and Jarrod Jones are cast as party sceneboys and are joined by their sister Rana who will be performing as one of the villainous big mice in the fight scene.
All of the dancers have been members of the company for two years or longer.
The Royal City Youth Ballet Company is a non-profit society dedicated to engaging young people and the arts. The company’s focus is on building self esteem, discipline and other life skills.
Dancers, who range from six years of age and up, enter ballet boot camp early in September.
They rehearse long hours every weekend preparing for 21 shows which take place at seven theatres throughout B.C.
The Abbotsford performance is set for Nov. 24 at 2:30 p.m. at the Abbotsford Arts Centre (33355 Bevan Ave.).
Tickets are available at the door.