Fifth-grade Nutcracker charms, entertains East Side
A Christmas tradition as old as time was presented to the parents, students and teachers alike, Monday, in the East Side Intermediate School gymnasium.
The origin of the Nutcracker Suite is a fairy tale ballet in two acts centered on a family's Christmas Eve celebration. The whole of the East Side Intermediate School's fifth-grade class, led by the schools Music Teacher Kathy Hanrahan, entertained the audience filled with family members and students with a condensed version of the show. Dancers and actors graced the stage as they brought the centuries old classic to life.
"The students have worked very hard on this," said Katie Berry, Fifth-Grade Teacher. "They have all done such a wonderful job."
The story centers on a young girl's Christmas Eve and her awakening to the wider world and romantic love. The story was written by E.T.A. Hoffman and was later set to music by Tchaikovsky and originally choreographed by Marius Petipa.
The suite became instantly popular; however, the complete ballet did not achieve its great popularity as a Christmas performance event until almost 100 years later.
There is a final performance at 6:30 tonight in the East Side Intermediate School Gymnasium. All are welcome and admission is $1, come cheer on the hard work of the students.
Choir Members: Conner Duncan, Raelee Edwards, Kayli Joiner, Zachary Karns, Gabe Swarringin, Nabihah Syed, Piper Weaver, Caspar Wooten, Tyler Hartley, Gracie Hunt, Anna Kate Stanelle, Connor Walker, Alexis Cheatham, Ryan Clifton, Kayley Milligan, Cayden Mitchell, Andrea Sumner, JC Hargrave, Adrhiana Stillson, Emin Hayes, Braxton Maurer, Olivia Gore, Noah Weatherington, Destiny Williams, Donavin Bradley, Halli DeNeaI, Griffin Osman, Hadleigh Plumlee, Hailey Woodruff , Austin Cannell, Skye Casey, Myles Crank, Lena Marcum, Vaundre McIntosh, Hunter Robinson, Maren Russell, Jordan Goolsby, Emily Mills, Elise Trammel, Ashley Cheatham, Alexander Murphy, Caleigh Whiting, Brayden Jackson Rylan Nybérg, Morgan Barnes, Nick Patterson, Colton Smith, Chase Maloney, Brent Lawrence, Keaton Reid, Hunter Price, D'Kyla Donaldson, Benji Mendoza, Kylie Gibbs, Aiden Henson, Joey Quinn, Wekey Wang, Grant Dooley, Alayna O'Hara, Orion Wiese, Nicholas Baird, Trenton Sheldon, Bailee Clifton, Easton Bebout, Alaina Stone, Isaiah Keith, Kayla Lawrence, Kadynce Sanders, Kenny Sanders, Amin Miller, Brockton Mitchell, Christian Henson, Nate Ryner, Matthew Watson, Keith Dowdy, Victoria Ramos, Josie Wilson, Jarrett Goode, Saleen Smith, Zoey Felty, Michele Johnson, Lylii Victoria, Noah Chambers, Kelee Miils, Amy Wimberly, Cavin Bensavage, Nathan Lawrence, and Halleye Pate.
Sound Director: Cooper Phalin; Light Director: Eli Fromm; Stage Hands: Mishaila Johnson, Walker Hicks, Michael Quisenberry, Montana Hunt, and Chase Sullivan; Percussionist: Luke Winkleman.