As a toy soldier, nine-year-old Elizabeth Jobling is working hard to stay in character.
The tiny ballerina has to hold her gun erect and march in synch with her troop.
“I have to be very stiff,” says Jobling.
The Hammond elementary student has been honing her dancing skills for the past few months as a character in Goh Ballet’s The Nutcracker.
Featuring principal dancers from The New York City Ballet, with live music performed by members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra, The Nutcracker features all the holiday magic, sparkle and tutus to delight every member of your family this festive season.
Jobling auditioned for her part in May and is excited to be featured in the ballet for a second year in a row.
“It’s really exciting,” she says, adding that’s it is fun to learn from older dancers who help her with choreography.
“That’s the best part for me, cause I get to learn new stuff.”
Based on the classic E.T.A. Hoffman fairy tale, The Nutcracker tells the story of Clara, who receives a Nutcracker doll from her uncle, Dr. Drosselmeyer. The young girl later dreams that her Nutcracker doll comes to life and leads an army of toy soldiers into battle against the evil Mouse King. After the Mouse King is defeated, Clara and her Nutcracker Prince journey through the beautiful Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets, witnessing a world of breathtaking magic along the way. When Clara awakens, she wonders if her magical journey was all but a dream.
• Goh Ballet presents The Nutcracker at The Centre for Performing Arts Dec. 19-23. For tickets, visit www.gohnutcracker.com.