Autumn Gerdon and Jonathan Miller rehearse for this weekend’s performance of The Nutcracker. Photo by Jeff Eason. THE NUTCRACKER Returns To Farthing Auditorium Studio K Ballet Production this Weekend By Jeff Eason The holiday season just is not complete without a trip to see the Studio K production of the Tchaikovsky ballet The Nutcracker. The wildly colorful ballet featuring Christmas, dreams and magic returns to Farthing Auditorium in Boone this weekend. Studio K will present The Nutcracker on Saturday, December 13 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, December 14 at 3 p.m. Tickets are available at the Farthing Auditorium Box Office. Studio K director Cay Harkins took over the role of bringing The Nutcracker to Boone several years ago when Appalachian State University failed to bring in a touring company of the production. Studio K ably filled the vacancy by staging its own production of The Nutcracker using local dancing talent. Now Studio K’s production of The Nutcracker has become an annual tradition for approximately 200 local dancers and their families. Studio K will augment the local talent (ranging in age from three to about 50), with four professional dancers in key roles. The magnificent sets and colorful costumes compliment Tchaikovsky’s timeless ballet. The Nutcracker premiered in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1892. The libretto was written by Ivan Vsevolozhsky based on a book called The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffman. The Studio K version contains all of the original Tchaikovsky score with a mix of traditional and original choreography. Professional dancers appearing with Studio K in this season’s production of The Nutcracker include Jose Rivera, Amy Hazlewood, Greg Pope and Enkhee Tumendelger Smith. Rivera, playing the Cavalier, will be making his third appearance with Studio K. A graduate of Gallman’s Newark Dance Theatre and Julliard, he has performed with the Dance Theatre of Harlem, the Gartnerplatz Theatre and the Bavarian State Theatre’s Opera Ballet. He is now a longtime member of Ballethnic Dance Company and has performed with the group in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and at the Lincoln Center in New York City. Hazlewood, performing as the Sugar Plum Fairy, trained at the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre under the direction of Lynne Snipes. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a BS in Dance Education. Now in her sixth year with Ballethnic Dance Company, she has danced in the role of Brown Sugar in The Urban Nutcracker and in the Lincoln Center’s Out-of-Doors Festival in New York. In the role of the Snow King, Pope is a Boone native who studied dance with the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City and danced as a member of the Stars of the American Ballet. Other stage credits include roles in The Lost Colony in Manteo and Horn in the West in Boone. Pope is now a drama and theater instructor at Watauga High School. Enkhee Smith, a soloist in the Arabian Dance, was born in Mongolia and has performed worldwide as a contortionist for many years. She began her career as a performer with the Mongolian State Circus and eventually became a member of the world-famous Cirque du Soleil. With Cirque du Soleil she performed in the “O” show at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Her credits include several movie and television appearances and she was featured in a “Got Milk?” advertisement. This year she toured with Sir Paul McCartney’s Back in the World tour. Local dancers performing in The Nutcracker include (in order of appearance) Andy Harkins as Dr. Drosselmeyer. The Toy Store Children are played by Isabelle Branstrom, Brittany Brown, Shauna Caldwell, Ella Copeland, Megan Critcher, Whitney Dunnigan, Carrington Haas, Ashlee Harmon, Nicole Krontz, Sunny Mohr, Victoria Redmon, Hanna Reeves, Savannah Thompson, Ivy Ulmer, Olivia Watson, Katherine Welsh and Maria Yarbourough. The Toy Store Sisters are Heather Byrd, Courtney Cramblit, Katie Gambill, Gabrielle Gray, Savanna Greene, Olivia Handley, Cara Heath, Kelsi Kanoy, Kennedy Kavanaugh, Grace Little, Heather Ostwalt, Julianna Silver, Kathryn Stevens, Olivia Williamson, Ashley Canter, Bower Coe, Amanda Eagle-Farrar, Moriah Franklin, Sierra Hill, Jasmine Jackson, Sierra Lowder, Gabrielle Moody, Aynsley Moore, Natalie Oakes, Kaitlyn Staufer, Elizabeth Watson, Madison Winkler and Krista Warren. Catharine Harkins is the Teacher and Ashley Harkins is the Dancing Little Doll. In the Von Stahlbaum Home, Kenneth Wright is Councill Von Stahlbaum and Kit Olson is Frau Von Stahlbaum. Autumn Gerdon is Clara, Ariel Franklin is Fritz and Lori Henson is Grandmother. The Party Guests include Carol Anderson, Jerry Butler, Mike Wilson, Jeff Hatley, Shannon Hatley, Catharine Harkins, Sandy Miller, Jonathan Miller, Ken Steele, Mary Taylor, Dan Krontz, Gene Messenkopf, Debbie Peuel, Jeff Eason, Carol Bolick, Colette Krontz, Patrick Kerby, Lee Jordan, John Cook, Carol Cook, Wendy Curtis, Ellen Hunt Steele and Nioucha Branstrom. The Party Children include Ashley Harkins, Tori Wright, Rhett Butler, Andrew Hatley, Morgan McNiel Hatley, Katherine Welsh, Sarah Mixter, Anna Reichard, Anna Gustaveson, Kelsey Gustaveson, Stacey Miller, Meredith Smith, Megan Smith, Tracy Lentz, Tara Wicker, Miranda Stevens, Eve Smalling, Nicole Krontz, Bailey Messekopf, Jordan Messenkopf, Jackie Newell, Brooke Butler, Sarita Anderson, Gayle Anderson, Simone Anderson, Ashlyn Henson, Brandy Hicks, Caroline Lovins, Isabella Branstrom, Laurel Bolick, Lindsay Kaudelka, Maclain Copeland, Megan Powell, Savannah Copeland, Ella Copeland, Carrington Haas, Katherine Mayhew, Courtney Dunnigan, Whitney Dunnigan, Jodie Ginn, Johanna Powell, Alex Ellis, Emily Rochelle, Abby Foster, Lauren Foster and Katherine Culatta. The maids are Alice Harmon, Mitzi Rochelle, Kathy Powell and Mary Ellis. In the Mechanical Doll scene Shellie Karaus is Columbine, Jim Street is the Harlequin, and Jonathan Miller is the Soldier Doll. The Clock Mice are played by Faith Bradham, Allison Brown, Kelly Coulson, Andrew Hatley, Molly Herring, Chelsey Ann Lee, Maray Lovins, Olivia Michael, Tabitha Moody, Madison Moretz, Brittney Ricker, Kimberly Vines, Maddie Warren, Holly Aldridge, Jeimi Baird, Grace Bowling, Savanna Brady, Kaylee Cottom, Caroline Foster, Amanda Hicks, Elle Jackson, Madison Scruggs, Rose Trew, Haylie Vannoy, Emily Whittaker and Gracie Willyerd. Mike Wilson is the Mouse King and the Large Mice are played by Jeff Hatley, Ken Steele, Jim Street and Kenneth Wright. Matt Backe is the Nutcracker Prince. In the Land of Snow, Cay Harkins is the Snow Queen and Greg Pope is the Snow King. The Snow lead dancers are Catharine Harkins, Lindsey Harkins, Georgia Ray, Wendy Curtis, Shannon Hatley, Caity Carter, Cara Ray and Sally Miller. The Snowflakes are Catharine Harkins, Lindsey Harkins, Ashley Hoover, Caity Carter, Wendy Curtis, Georgia Ray, Cara Ray Carmen Dunbar, Chelsey Butler, Lauren Greene, Leigh Wright, Megan Harris, Sara Washburn, Tara Wicker, Tracy Lentz, Nioucha Branstrom, Mandy Taylor, Anna Gustaveson, DeAnna Lyons, Sally Miller and Jessica Canter. In the Kingdom of the Sweets, Meghan Harris is the Queen of Sweets, Amy Hazlewood is the Sugar Plum Fairy, and Jose Rivera is the Sugar Plum Cavalier. The Lead Angels are Sarah Washburn, Carman Dunbar, Jessica Canter and Elizabeth Templeton. The Little Angels include Chloe Catoe, Zoe Frongillo, Sara Frances Greene, Kelly Griffin, Addie Hall, Emma Harkins, Cami Hastings, Abigail Herring, Lacy Holder, Tory Jensen, Hannah Nomcosky, Allison Quinn, Meghan Smith, Emily Thompson, Camille Ward, Maya Weaver, Ally Wright, Vicki Earp, Madison Ezzell, Emily Goodnight, Matilda Gragg, Megan Harman, Nina Hawthorne, Emma Knapp, Isabelle Metts, Madison Mitchel, Reid Pond, Jessica Rieger, Zoe Scharf, Jade Schwab, Meredith Shields, Priscilla Hob and Barbara Ramsdell. The Gumdrops include Emma Clark, Finley Collins, Sydney Crawford, Emily Denny Noelle Eller, Summit Fredenburg, Kayla-Ann Harmon, Katie Hicks, Scarlett Holman, Katie Mac Knight, Helen St. John, Sydney Styron, Maddie Thompson, Laney Underwood, Lily Underwood, Lindsey Cole, Maddie Green, Mackenzie Greene, Amelia Johnson, Laiken Johnson, Amanda Lubkemann, Clara Priddy, Sophie Reese, Maddisen Robinson, Makenzie Robinson, Emma Saltman, Sophie Schwebke, Anna Shellman, Chloe Sullivan, Kathryn Watson, Hailey Winkler and Lily Young-Fritchie. Sugar Plum Attendants are Chana Baird, Meredith Carter, Christine Cornett, Katherine Culatta, Coco Cummings, Sarah Deal, Madison Ericksen, Akesha Greene, Molly Henson, Christy McAlister, Amy Norwood, Kristin Powers, Tatum Rees, Maggie Saunders, Jessica Townsend, Katelyn Turley, Sara Ware, Katie Sanders, Christine Wood, Amanda Beasley, Hailey Beshears, Autumn Cook, Sydney Cook, Sarah Duke, Shelby Gilliam, Kaley Greene, Lindsay, Kaudelka, Austen Mauney Chelsea Norris, Megan Rush, Kaitlyn Thompson, Megan Weber and Nicole Werner. The lead dancers in the Chocolate (Spanish) Dance include Catherine Harkins, Deanna Lyons, Nioucha Branstrom and Shannon Hatley. Attendants include Chloe deCamara, Courtney Dunnigan, Abby Foster, Kelsey Gustaveson, Ashley Harkins, Jodi Krause, Katherine Mayhew, Eve Smalling, Ruth Anna Smith, Kelsey Taylor, Allie Ulmer, Carmela White, Laiken Williams, Ariel Franklin, Akesha Greene and Jordan Messenkopf. Lead dancers in the Coffee (Arabian) Dance are Enkhee Smith, Wendy Curtis, Cara Ray, Jeff Hatley and Kenneth Wright. Attendants include Emily Alford, Simone Anderson, Courtney Bell, Maggie Billing, Allison Brady, Samantha Byrd, Katelin Fox, Mollie Furman, Ashlyn Henson, Sarah Ledford, Jenny Myers, Coral Parker, Emily Ray, Tori Wright, Jazmyne Maxwell, Kelsey Wilson, Charlotte Black, Haley Burgess, Christina Daly, Stephanie Freyler, Ashley Lang, Tamara Norris, Johanna Powell, Jessica Presnell, Emily Raynor, Cathryn Smith, Debin Lea Warren, Kelsey Ziegler, Valerie Dollar, Jenna Greene and Kristen Sanders. Lead dancers in the Tea (Chinese) Dance are Georgia Ray, Mandy Taylor, Sarah Critcher and Leigh Wright. Attendants include Katelyn Carson, Kayla Cole, Kalie Eppley, Kaitlin Felts, Crissa Heath, Kelsey Isaacs, Anna Jensen, Bailey Messenkopf, Alana Patterson, Elizabeth Pitts, Evan Redmond, Molly Ruble, Meredith Smith, Morgan Story, Annie Venable, Lindsay Warren, Sarita Anderson, Laurel Beebe, Taylor Blanton, Hannah Boone, Emily Burwell, Katelyn, Callahan, Alex Ellis, Lauren Johnson, Lydia Mauney, Sarah Mohr, Carly Moser, Emily Rochelle, Kellyn Stamey, Sarah Stanley and Rebekah Washburn. Lead dancers in the Mirliton include Lindsey Harkins Sally Miller, Chelsey Butler, Caity Carter and Ashley Hoover. Attendants include Brooke Butler, Colleen Dobson, Lauren Foster, Ariel Franklin, Ashley Harkins, Jordan Messenkopf, Deray Wood, Gayle Anderson, Mallie Billing, Breanna Brown, Mary Clements, Hanna Dickson, Abby Lowder, Faith Lyons, Sarah Mixter, Jackie Newell, Anna Reichard, Callie Stanberry, Miranda Stevens, Hannah Williams and Akesha Greene. Shellie Karaus plays Mother Ginger and her children are Madison Bolick, Madeline Boone, Madison Brown, Abby Carson, Savannah Copeland, Nicole Fox, Rachel Hawkins, Lindsey Johnson, Ryan Loflin, Caroline Lovins, Kiersten McClannon, Leah Moore, Rachel Norwood, Megan Tate, Anne Taylor, Leah Wilson, Kathleen Baker, Hannah Bates, Brittany Burwell, Hannah Cornett, Helen Cornett, Maggie Furman, Sidney Ginn, Candace Hagaman, Morgan Hatley, Brandy Hicks, Sierra Hicks, Alicia Maupin, Megan Powell, Amelia Powers, Eliot Smith and Brook Matheson. Enkhee Smith is the soloist in the Trepak (Russian Dance). Dancers in Valse des Fleurs Corps de Ballet (Waltz of the Flowers) include Wendy Curtis, Autumn Gerdon, Shannon Hatley, Cara Ray, Georgia Ray, Shellie Karaus, Jim Street, Lindsey Harkins, Chelsey Butler, Sarah Critcher, Leigh Wright, Caity Carter, Ashley Hoover, Elizabeth Templeton, Sarah Washburn, Sally Miller, Carmen Dunbar, Jeff Hatley, Catharine Harkins, Megan Harris, Tyler Moffatt, Kenneth Wright, Jessica Canter, Lee Jordan, Jim Street, Chad McGwire, Tara Wicker, Tracy Lentz, Nioucha Branstrom, Mandy Taylor, DeAnna Lyons, Stacie Miller and Kit Olson. Dancers in the Finale Corps de Ballet include Abby Lowder, Alexis Calhoun, Anna Gustaveson, Anna Reichard, Breanna Brown, Callie Woodring, Faith Lyons, Grace Pearce, Hanna Dickson, Jackie Newell, Jodie Ginn, Katie Sanders, Kelsey Cole, Laurel Bolick, Malorie Myers, Mary Grey Wilcox, Gayle Anderson, Mallie Billing, Mary Clements, Sarah Mixter, Esther Sanchez, Sarah Sanchez, Callie Stanberry, Ellen Steele, Miranda Stevens, Leah Thompson and Hannah Williams. Cay Harkins is the director, choreographer and producer of Studio K’s production of The Nutcracker. Other choreographers for the production include Wendy Curtis, Shannon Hatley, Lauren Greene and Catharine Harkins. The technical director at Farthing Auditorium is Guerry McLaurin. Tim Blake is the assistant technical director and Andy Eubanks is in charge of the sound. Tickets Tickets for the Studio K production of the holiday classic The Nutcracker are $10 for adults and $8 for students and children. Tickets are available at the Farthing Auditorium Box Office. For more information, or to reserve tickets, call the box office at (828) 262-4046.