From November 30 through December 8, Westside Ballet will host its annual performances of The Nutcracker and, as is the norm, the cast will include young dancers from Culver City.
Nine Culver dancers will be performing at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica, with roles ranging from soldiers and candy characters to more advanced roles like the Candy Soloist and French Mirliton.
“It’s not just about the dancing—they’re learning so much about dedication, artistry, and being part of something meaningful in the community,” said Jewels Solheim-Roe from the Westside Ballet. “Westside’s Nutcracker has become a cultural touchstone in Santa Monica, drawing in audiences from all around and also offering special performances for local students, veterans, and community members. The live music by the Santa Monica College Symphony Orchestra truly enhances the experience, making it magical not only for the audience but also for these young dancers.”
This year, the Culver City dancers will be sharing the stage with Westside alumna and New York City Ballet principal Tiler Peck as the Sugar Plum Fairy.
The Culver City student dancers are Sha’are Kennedy (Red Soldier), Audrey Yang (Blue Soldier), Lauren Gordon (Polichinelle, Red Soldier), Asha LeeBogart (Crystal Bell, Side Chinese), Luna Mizorogi, Isla Segar, and Evelyn Chung (Side Chinese), Fiona McDonough (Russian Dancer), and Serena Klipfel (Candy Solo, French Mirliton, Side Spanish, Snowflake Corps, Party Mom).
Klipfel is 16, and she started studying ballet at Westside School of Ballet at age seven. “During the summer, Serena trained with the prestigious Boston Ballet School’s summer program,” reads her biography. “She was also featured in Westside’s Spring Performance, where she danced in Classical Symphony (1st and 4th movements), Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco, Murmurations (a contemporary piece), and Dancing Through the Ages (a jazz piece).”
Reflecting on her ballet journey, Serena says, “As my time in high school nears its end, I am very interested in continuing to dance throughout college, although not professionally, as I want to focus on academics. Regardless, I know that I love to dance and will continue to do so, whether at a large capacity or not, throughout my entire life. Dance is such a part of my personal identity, and I cannot picture my future without it.”
This will be 11-year-old Kennedy’s first Nutcracker for Westside. “I love the excitement of performing on stage, including the lights, the applause and working closely with my fellow dancers,” she said.
14-year-old McDonough, also a first timer with Westside’s Nutcracker, said that, “One thing I have learned through ballet that I apply to every part of my life is the hard work and discipline that is required to be successful at something. Ballet is one of the hardest things you can do, but you have to have a certain level of discipline to push through it, something I carry over to every hard thing I do.”
13-year-old Segar will be performing in her fourth Nutcracker this year. “The Nutcracker is something that Isla looks forward to every year,” reads her bio. “She loves rehearsing, being with her friends, and the warm Westside community. It all makes for an unforgettable experience once performance time arrives.”
Of the experience of performing with Peck, 12-year-old LeeBogart said that, “It was really inspiring the way she connected with the audience during her performance. Our teachers are always telling us to smile onstage, and hers seemed really genuine, like she was having an amazing time performing for the audience.”
10-year-old Gordon, another first-timer, said that, “My favorite part is the joy and interaction with the crowd and the joy of dancing in front of a crowd. Also, when I perform, the people watching see me dance, and it makes them believe that they can also dance, and that makes my day brighten. It gives me so much happiness when I give people hope that they can dance to.”
Finally, for 10-year-old Yang, the most special thing about joining the Nutcracker cast is, “Socializing and getting to know my ballet friends and teachers.”
The show takes place at The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center, 1310 11th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401 on Saturday, November 30: 1 pm and 5 pm; Sunday, December 1: 1 pm and 5 pm; Friday, December 6: 7 pm; Saturday, December 7: 1 pm and 5 pm; Sunday, December 8: 1 pm and 5 pm.
Tickets are $65 and can be purchased online at westsideballet.com/NutTix or by calling (800) 595-4849. For more information, please visit westsideballet.com/nutcracker.