Fleet-Wood Dance Centre is looking for a few good men to perform as part of their production of The Nutcracker this December.
The Nutcracker was first put on by Fleet-Wood Dance Centre in 1999, so this year marks 25 years of performances. The show tends to be put on by the studio every two years, with some years out of the loop due to COVID-19.
This year, studio owner Sharron Fleet is looking for between four and eight boys aged eight to 11 to act as soldiers who fight The Mouse King, and a 12-year-old boy to play the role of Fritz.
“We’re looking for boys with strong acting skills,” said Fleet.
Fleet-Wood Dance Centre was started in 1994 by Sharron Fleet and Jane Wooding. In 2002, Fleet took over the business and has kept it going ever since.
In 1999, Fleet first brought the idea of performing The Nutcracker to Wooding. Wooding had experience with the production as she had previously been a dancer in the National Ballet of Canada and had performed in their iteration of the show.
“Her expression – I’ll never forget it,” recalls Fleet. “She said, really, you want to do The Nutcracker? In my naivety, I said yes, not knowing how much work was involved.”
In the first year, the production received financial support from the Robert Kemp Award given out by the Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts, which paid for costumes. That year, the production took place at Our Lady of the Bay Catholic High School (then known as Jean Vanier), and Wooding herself performed as the Snow Queen.
“To this day, we’re still using some of her choreography,” said Fleet.
Staff also participate in the show. Fleet herself performs as Grandma Ginger, and will again this winter.
Many of Fleet-Wood’s dancers will be taking the stage after performing in smaller roles in the past.
All performers who participate in the show are expected to be available to rehearse every Saturday between 1 and 3 p.m. from September until December. Dance training is not required, as the soldiers will mostly march and the character of Fritz does minimal dancing.
“There is a solo if he has the ability to dance. It’s very soldier-like,” said Fleet. “It’s an opportunity for boys who are thinking of stepping into musical theatre.”
The curtain will rise on The Nutcracker on Dec. 8 at Meaford Hall, with two performances that day. Tickets will be available through Meaford Hall.
To reach out to Fleet-Wood Dance Centre, click here.
