The Nutcracker ballet returns to Saenger Theatre after nine years
D’IBERVILLE, Miss. (WXXV) — The annual Nutcracker ballet will once again bring dancers of all ages and skill levels to the stage for the holiday season, but this year is extra special.
After nearly a decade, The Nutcracker ballet will return to the iconic Saenger Theatre in Biloxi — a homecoming that has been highly anticipated by not only the dancers, but by the entire community.
“Just the thrill of being back at the Saenger Theatre. [It] holds such great memories and we’re just delighted to have our hometown theatre back in operation. We’re so grateful to the Encore Saenger Group for getting it back open, and we hope to have many more ballets at the Saenger Theatre,” said Elaine Kulick, Director of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Ballet Theatre.
For the last nine years, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Ballet Theatre has brought its production of The Nutcracker to various theaters across the area after the Saenger closed its doors, but this December, the beloved ballet is coming home—bringing a long-awaited tradition back to the community.
“Some of the dancers, we did that homecoming. We were involved in that at the Saenger Theatre, but most of them have no clue what they are getting into, and I think that once they see the Saenger Theatre and get a chance to perform there, it’s gonna be just a heartfelt moment for everyone, and we’ll enjoy it for many years to come,” Kulick said.
Some of the young dancers taking part in this year’s production say they are thrilled to experience The Nutcracker inside the beautiful Saenger Theatre, and to have the opportunity to share the stage with world-renowned professional dancers.
“When I was very little, my first Nutcracker I was able to see was this Nutcracker performed at the Saenger Theatre, and I just can’t wait to go perform at it too, because that’s where I first saw it,” said ballerina Brynlee Walker.
“It feels really great that we’re bringing the power and spirit to the theatre and the stage, and I think it would be pretty exciting to perform a Nutcracker in that theatre,” said ballerina Elise Cascio.
“The theatre and the stage itself is really pretty and its just so breathtaking to be on stage, looking out into a crowd and performing,” said ballerina Vivian Vo.
“It’s really exciting. I’m also a little bit nervous because there might be a little bit more people than usual, but it’s going to be really fun watching the audience be all happy and stuff,” said ballerina Alaina Cascio.
The Gulf Coast School of Performing Arts will hold its second round of auditions for The Nutcracker on Saturday, August 15 at the Gulf Coast School of Performing Arts beginning at 10 a.m. Ages five and up, all skill levels, are welcome to audition and every dancer will be cast.
