Every year, in addition to competitions, local performances and a June recital, USA Dance Company holds open auditions in August for our ONE OF A KIND Nutcracker XTREME, which is held the second Saturday of December. This year our Nutcracker XTREME performances are December 10, 2016 at Skyline High School in Mesa. We will have 2 shows: Matinee Show at 3:30pm and the evening show at 7:00pm.
This is unlike any other Nutcracker you have ever seen! With a cast of over 100 dancers we tell the story Of Clara and her Magical Nutcracker that she was given from her Uncle. After the party goers leave, a parade begins of magic toys such as, a beautiful larger than life music box ballerina, dancing teddy bears, robots, dolls, live chess game and tapping toy soldiers. But don’t let the Nutcracker title fool you. This is not your typical “ballet” Nutcracker.
We tell our story through all styles of dance and acrobatics with current and exciting music. There is NO chance you will fall asleep during this show. You will find yourself wanting to get up and join them as they travel to lands never seen before. Clara finds herself awakened by the cutest little mice and she is having so much fun with the little rascals she doesn’t realize the trouble creeping up behind her. Her Nutcracker gets into a battle with the evil Mouse king and his Crew. After the intense battle, Clara is crying over her Nutcracker when her Uncle who has magic power brings him back to life. But not only is he alive, he is REAL.
They take a magical trip through a Snow Storm, Run into an evil witch only to get saved by Angels and onward to the very entertaining Jester who guides them to the land of Sweets where they are given the performance of a LIFETIME.
The sugar Plum Fairy treats them to performances form her court of Acrobatic Jesters and Candy Canes, then she somehow transports them to different worlds, with people like the Arab Queen and her Arabian dancers. They meet the most gigantic Mother Ginger who houses her crazy Gingerettes in her DRESS. Who knows what else she has hidden in there. After that, they are taken to the Orient and Spain. Sugarplum has a special way of showing us what is important. LOVE. With LOVE you can conquer the world.
Our dancers and staff put in hours upon hours to bring this show to life. It’s what we do. It’s what we LOVE. and it shows.
We would love for you to join us in making Nutcracker XTREME a family tradition. You may go online to www.usagymaz.com/ncx to purchase tickets.
More about USA Dance Company
USA Dance Company is a pre-professional dance company and program within USA Youth Fitness Center. Our dancers range in age from 3 through 18.
The mission of our dance program is to instill confidence, strength, healthy body image and bonds that will last a lifetime. Our dancers perform and compete all around the valley and nation. Our dancers take anywhere from 10 to 20 hours per week of dance technique classes including, Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop and Musical Theatre. We also take master classes from world renowned dance teachers and choreographers several times a year.
Our company has won over all regional and nation titles. We think winning is AWESOME! But, above all else, we value the road it takes to get there. The most valuable lesson our dancers learn is that no matter the score, their individual growth is the most important. We love to celebrate each other’s successes, and hold each other’s hands in times of struggle.
Our staff is committed to building not only well-rounded dancers but beautiful, caring and good human beings. We love giving back to the community by filling “Care Boxes” for cancer patients, Performing at local charity events, and retirement homes.
Tina Taylor-Schmidt is the Director of USA Dance Company and author of this post.
