BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) - Certain sights and sounds are an instant reminder the Christmas season is here, and coming up this weekend, a Coast Life holiday tradition continues on the stage.
More than 100 dancers from all around the Coast spend months getting ready for the annual performance of “The Nutcracker.” Mississippi Gulf Coast Ballet Theatre Director Elaine Kulick helps organize it all.
“It’s a wonderful production, we’ve been at it for a number of years and it gets better every season,” Kulick said.
The anticipation of one of the Coast’s favorite holiday shows comes with lots of attention to detail.
“It’s both a sport and art at the same time,” Mia Wallace, a dancer from Lucedale said. “It’s both physically taxing, and you have to make it look graceful at the same time.”
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“You have to control your body, make sure all your arms and legs are pointed, and everything is just long and fluid,” Victoria Wilson, a dancer from Biloxi said.
“It’s six days out of the week and I’m dancing for hours each day,” Tori Simpson, a dancer from Lucedale said. “You can’t just practice at your studio; you’ve got to put in the work at home. You have to be consistent for ballet because if you don’t make it look graceful it doesn’t look good. You have to perfect it.”
The show’s coveted role of Clara is played by 14-year-old Danielle Harvill from Kiln.
Clara’s counterpart, the Nutcracker and prince, is performed by 16-year-old Taylor Rodriguez from Biloxi. This is the fifth year he’s been in the Nutcracker and 12th year dancing.
“The strictness of ballet keeps me going,” Rodriguez said. “I love being on stage, but the ability to come to class every day and do the same moves and make them better every day is what gives me joy.”
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The students are also joined by professional dancers and will once again show off their talents at the Beau Rivage.
“It’s exciting watching the students have fun, the professionals love coming to Biloxi, they really enjoy and love it,” Kulick said. “It’s on the best stage on the Coast, so what’s not to love?”
“I’m very glad to be part of this magic, little kids like to come watch us dance,” Brynlee Walker, a dancer from Gulfport said. “Hopefully we’ll encourage them to dance and join the Nutcracker too.”
This performance of the Nutcracker brings its own unique flare.
“Each person puts their own personality into their role, so it’s going to look a little different every year, but still have that same magical experience,” Harvill said.
You can see the performance on Sunday, December 8, with show times at 2 and 6 p.m. at the Beau Rivage in Biloxi.
For ticket information, visit the casino’s website.
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