Camille Pukall, of Vienna and McLean High, as Clara arrives to the Kingdom of Snow with the Nutcracker Prince, portrayed by Gillmer Duran, CBT’s Ballet Master and Guest Artist in Residence. Photos courtesy of Katie and Tony de la Paz.
Classical Ballet Theatre (CBT) shared some extra special holiday magic with this year’s presentation of “The Nutcracker,” performed at the 525-seat Ernst Theater in Annandale. A sellout, the production featured beautiful choreography, stunning costumes, and some of the most highly trained pre-professional talent in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It also included several programs benefiting the greater community -- behind-the-scenes educational stations for Girl Scouts, a food drive in support of LINK, and some free tickets for military families stationed out of Ft. Belvoir.
Classical Ballet Theatre (CBT) students always enjoy supporting community families and groups while sharing their love of dance. Having trained at CBT since early childhood, Oakton High sophomore Ashley Tern, of Fairfax, who also participated in renowned summer intensives with the American Ballet Theatre, danced a stunning Sugar Plum Fairy, and McLean High freshman Camille Pukall, of Vienna, captured the audience with her portrayal of Clara. As she explained, “As Clara, I am telling the whole story of the ‘Nutcracker,’ and it is my job to make the audience truly believe and fall in love with my story and dream.” She accomplished this easily while connecting with the entranced audience members. They loved the magical choreography and the good-natured humor as well as the sense of joy and excitement that each CBT student brought to his or her role. Audience members and dancers alike were finding themselves filled with the spirit of the holidays.
For more information about CBT and its winter performance in Reston and spring performance in Herndon, visit http://www.cbtnva.org.