Local Dancers Featured in South Shore Ballet Theatre's 'The Nutcracker'

The South Shore Ballet Theatre's production of "The Nutcracker" this year will feature 60 south shore students, including Norwood’s Lauren Begin and Caileen Hayes.

For Caileen, a fourth-grader at St. Catherine's School, this is her second year dancing with SSBT but her first in the Nutcracker show. Her mother said Caileen has been taking ballet since she was five, and this year will be playing a mouse in the holiday classic show.

"What I like best about the Nutcracker is that it is very exciting and fun," Caileen said. "You get to learn your dance and sometimes you get to watch some of the other dancers. I like being able to meet all the other kids. Being a mouse is fun because you get to be quiet and sneaky and the scene is exciting!"

SSBT was founded in 2008 by Marthavan McKeon. South Shore Ballet Theatre's mission is to provide professional ballet training in a nurturing environment to dancers on the South Shore. Already in their fourth year, SSBT is growing steadily and has already gained a foothold in the ballet community. SSBT students have been accepted to prestigious summer intensive programs across the United States like American Ballet Theatre, Houston Ballet Academy, Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet, Bossov Ballet Theatre, Ballet West, North Carolina School for the Arts, Kirov Academy, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Carolina Ballet and Alvin Ailey.

Tickets go on sale this week for the production, which will be held on Dec. 10 and 11 at the Derby Academy in Hingham. There will be four performances, Saturday, Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the school at 24 Rockland St, Hanover or by calling 781-312-7224.

Visit the website at www.southshoreballettheatre.com for more information.