Special to the Reporter
Island Youth Ballet presented “Excerpts from The Nutcracker” from Dec. 12–14 at the Mercer Island High School Performing Arts Center, marking the organization’s 22nd year of presenting the holiday ballet on Mercer Island.
The performances featured student dancers ages 5 to 18 and were presented in a shortened format designed to appeal to audiences of all ages, particularly families with younger children. Set to music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the production highlighted classical ballet and included more than 50 costume changes.
The production featured the largest Polichinelle cast in the organization’s history, with 14 dancers performing the roles. Featured roles included Mia Dong as the Rat King, Harper Beers as Marie, Ruby Galgon as Fritz and graduating senior Rachel Trethaway as the Snow Queen. There was a special appearance by Julius Perez as Drosselmeyer.
Audience members were invited to visit a “Nutcracker”-themed boutique and a self-service photo booth before and after the performances. Seven-year-old twins Brook and Sky Vannatter, who performed as Baby Mice, also shared their favorite parts of the production. Brook said she liked “fighting the mini soldiers because they don’t know we’re coming,” while Sky said she loved “being on stage because everyone thinks I’m a mouse, but I’m actually a ballerina.”
The production was directed by Susan Valencia, founder of the Children’s Conservatory of Dance and creative director of Island Youth Ballet. Backstage support included Polichinelle wranglers Taylor Beeniga and Lauren Stangel; backstage operations director Heather Galgon; hair and makeup director Julie Lamb; “Nutcracker” boutique coordinator Stephanie Hara; communications by Jaime Chang; and cheese cannon engineer Charles Vannatter.
The annual “Nutcracker” performances support Island Youth Ballet, a local youth organization that provides classical ballet training and performance opportunities for young dancers in the Mercer Island community.
Guests at the party during an Island Youth Ballet “Excerpts from The Nutcracker” performance. Courtesy photo
Island Youth Ballet’s “Excerpts from The Nutcracker” cast and Kenzie Vannatter as an angel. Courtesy photos
