2 Wauwatosa Dancers Will Be In 'Great Russian Nutcracker'

WAUWATOSA, WI — Each year, more than 6,000 children nationwide take to the stage alongside the Moscow Ballet professionals and participate in the Great Russian Nutcracker, creating lifelong memories and a once-in-a-lifetime experience for students ages six to 18 with at least one year of ballet training.

In Milwaukee, the “Dance with Us” cast will perform their ancillary roles of Party Children, Snowflakes, Mice, Snow Maidens and Variation Dancers on Friday, Nov. 29, 7 p.m. at Riverside Theatre this holiday season.

The ballet students, who study at ballet schools in the area, auditioned for Moscow Ballet Audition Director Alisa Bolotnikova this past summer and fall and rehearsed their roles at the Moscow Ballet Host Dance Studio Elation Dance Center.

The children’s roles are as Party Children, Small Mice, Little Snowflakes, Snow Sprites, Snow Maidens, and Act II’s Variations of the world’s five great heritages in the Land of Peace and Harmony.

The experience of auditioning for a professional, rehearsing with the company, being fitted in Moscow Ballet costumes, and performing for a live audience of a thousand or more is often a once-in-a-lifetime experience for these children.

Here are the local dancers who will be in this year's Great Russian Nutcracker in Milwaukee

• Anastacia Batayias, Dousman
• Mary Buchan, Hartland
• Giavanna Danninger, Oconomowoc
• Angelique Delval, Oconomowoc
• Eva Dewitz, Oconomowoc
• Louik Finnigan, Nashotah
• Olivia Forsyth, Hartland
• Lucy Franke, Wauwatosa
• Elena Franz, Waukesha
• Riley Gabrysiak, Delafield
• Eden Giorgi, Delafield
• Madison Green, Delafield
• Emma Mancusi-Hand, Milwaukee
• Ally Higbee, Wauwatosa
• Thea Holtzen, Oconomowoc
• Stella Jones, Delafield
• Monica Lange, Hartland
• Jenna LoDuca, Oconomowoc
• Sienna Lombardo, Milwaukee
• Chloe Mullenbach, Waukesha
• Emma Mullenbach, Waukesha
• Elise Norgard, Milwaukee
• Olivia Norgard, Milwaukee
• Grace Nuckels, North Prairie
• Chloe Rose, Mukwonago
• Mea Schmekpeper, Oconomowoc
• Sara Staples, West Allis
• Emily Tlachac, Muskego

How To Go

Great Russian Nutcracker
Friday, Nov. 29
The Riverside Theater
Doors open at 6 p.m. Show begins at 7 p.m.
Tickets: https://event.etix.com/ticket/..