Dancing Arts Center Presents Third Season of Nutcracker, Adds Hopkinton Shows

Dancing Arts Center is proud to announce additional performances of The Nutcracker at the Norwood Theatre from December 16 – 18 along with a special set of shows exclusively at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts on December 3. More than 30 DAC students from 15 area towns will perform in this classic ballet.

DAC is excited to welcome back alumnus Jacob Clerico, who reprises his roles as Cavalier and Nutcracker Prince, in addition to performing the role of Dr. Stahlbaum. Jacob, 19, began his dance training at age three at DAC. In 2013, the Natick resident began training under current DAC co-directors, Patrick Notaro and Gregg Saulnier. Since then, Jacob has performed as The Nutcracker Prince, Cavalier, and Russian Soloist in The Nutcracker, Lucien in Paquita, and Franz in Coppélia, as well as in original modern works choreographed by DAC Modern faculty member Hayley Kenney. He attended the American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive in 2015, and the Boston Ballet Summer Dance Program in 2016. Jacob performed in Boston Ballet II’s “First Look” performance in Twyla Tharp’s As Time Goes By, set by Richard Colton. Since September 2015, Jacob has been on full tuition scholarship at the American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School.

Michael de la Nuez joins the DAC cast this year as Nutcracker Prince, Soldier Doll and the soloist dancer in Russian. The 18-year-old senior comes from a dance family whose parents, Meridith Benson and Mario de la Nuez, were professional dancers for more than 30 years. Michael trains in Cincinnati, Ohio with his parents at their school and Company - de la Dance Company. He participated in The Joffrey Ballet Intensive on full scholarship in 2015, and received full scholarships with the New York City Ballet School of American Ballet, American Ballet Theatre in New York City, and Boston Ballet in 2016. In 2015 Michael won the Gold Medal for his work in Swan Lake Pas de Trois, and the Silver Medal for his Don Quixote variation at the Dance Cincinnati Youth Competition. The following year Michael also earned gold medals for his classical and contemporary solos.

Stephanie Roig joins The Nutcracker cast as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Mrs. Stahlbaum. Stephanie received the Friends of the Hartford Ballet Merit Scholarship Award and a National Foundation for Advancement Award at age 17 and was invited to join Hartford Ballet that same year. From 2009-2013 Ms. Roig helped create Northern Cincinnati Youth Ballet in Mason, Ohio. In 2012 she was recognized with Youth America Grand Prix’s Outstanding Teacher Award.

“We are excited to have so many of our students perform in this year’s Nutcracker and to be able to yet again provide them the opportunity to work with older student dancers and professionals such as Jacob, Michael and Stephanie,” says DAC Co-Director Gregg Saulnier. “Having professional dancers work with our students both elevates the entire Nutcracker experience for our students and brings the audience richer, more professional performances they’ve come to expect from us through the years.”

The matinee performance at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 16 is designed specifically for school-age children and open to all area schools. A special senior matinee will be held at 1:30 p.m. on December 16. General public performances will be Saturday, December 17 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 18 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

For school group ticket purchases, please contact The Norwood Theatre Box Office at 781.551.9000 Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. The Norwood Theater is located at 109 Central Street in Norwood, Massachusetts.

General public performance tickets can be purchased on the Norwood Theatre’s website at www.norwoodstage.com or by calling 781.551.9000 Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. The Norwood Theater is located at 109 Central Street in Norwood, Massachusetts.

DAC will perform the entire second act of The Nutcracker and host a post-show meet and greet at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts on Saturday, December 3 at 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets for this show can be purchased through the Hopkinton Center for the Arts box office by calling 508.435.9222 or visiting www. hopartscenter.org/calendar/hca-calendar.

For more information call the theaters, or contact Dancing Arts Center Directors, Patrick Notaro and Gregg Saulnier at 508.429.7577 or DancingArtsCenter@gmail.com.