Hard to believe, but the holiday season is already in full swing. It’s time for the 30th anniversary of Pacific Northwest Ballet?s Nutcracker, and a few?talented kids from Magnolia; Clara Kang-Crosby, Isabelle McNabb and?Elspeth Schoonover are performing in this season?s production. All dancers attend PNB School, which is recognized as one of the top three ballet training institutions in the United States.
9 year-old Clara Kang-Crosby was kind enough to answer our questions over email.
She started ballet at age 3, and has?been with PNB for 3 years. Clara is loving her time onstage:
I love dancing because it allow me to move my body in ways that I didn’t know I could do. It pushes me to work harder in everyday life. The thing I like least is the teachers are really strict at PNB but they push me to be better. We have Nutcracker rehearsals twice a week on top of our weekly ballet classes. This week is exciting because we have our costume fittings! Once Nutcracker performances begin, I will be in 18 performances! I get to leave school early sometimes if its an afternoon show, and will get home late if the performance starts at 7:30. Sometimes I’d like to come home and relax. But I try to get homework done early in the week but read every night. My parents are really good about making sure I can keep my playdates. I also have to practice the piano, play soccer, jumprope club, and debate. Last year when I was casted Little Girl, my partner Little Boy forgot he had eyeliner on. We were on stage and curtains were about to go up. He rubbed his eyes and smeared it all over his face. So the kids director for Nutcracker had to run down to the stage and quickly wipe off everything, including his foundation!
MV: What is your dream role?
Clara:?Little Clara and the Peacock!
MV: What is your dream job?
Clara: Artist or prima ballerina. It takes a lot of work, but if you keep working hard, I’ll bet you’ll make it. Every role is an important role in the Nutcracker. Nutcracker is super duper fun because you get to meet friends all over Seattle and Bellevue. They will be life-long friends.
You can see the three Magnolia ballerinas in the Nutcracker all season long.? Click here for tickets.
Also, two PNB Nutcracker soloists, Laura and Jerome Tisserand, hail from Magnolia! Lovely neighbors and lovely dancers.