2 Shaler Area teens performing in 'The Nutcracker' at Benedum
Two teen ballerinas from Shaler will take the stage with professional dancers to perform this month in a holiday classic.
Shaler Area sophomore Isabella Febbraro and Vincentian freshman Grace Mangis are performing in Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's annual production of “The Nutcracker,” running Dec. 2-27 at the Benedum Center.
They're among 200 dance students with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School to be a part of the 15th season of the show.
“It's been a part of their families growing up or they've seen it from a young age,” said Marjorie Grundvig, co-director of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School. “Young ballerinas want to be a part of it.”
Students in the PBT School look forward each year to auditioning for the show and try out for roles that are choreographed for certain age groups and move into different roles each year.
“It's pretty clear they know what roles might be next and there's anticipation of knowing what they might grow into as they get older,” Grundvig said. “And there's the performing aspect. Who doesn't like to be performing in front of 3,000 people and getting applauded.”
Grace, 14, has been with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School for two years, but has been dancing since age three. This is her second year performing in “The Nutcracker.”
“It's a lot of fun,” Grace said. “There's a lot going on. So I really enjoy watching and performing, just seeing everything that goes on during rehearsals.”
Grace said she has done various styles of dance, but enjoys ballet the most for its structure and room for personal style.
“There's discipline, but there's an artistic and creative aspect that sets you apart from all the others,” she said.
Students are split into two casts and perform in 12 shows through the season, performing on weekends and evenings during the week. There are 26 performances through the Dec. 2-27 run.
They'll perform alongside the 30 professional dancers in the company, who fill the lead roles in the production, Grundvig said.
Dancing since age two, Isabella has done modern and jazz-style dancing but enjoys ballet for its precision.
“Everything needs to be perfect. So you just keep doing it until you get there,” she said.
Isabella, 15, has played many parts in “The Nutcracker” in her seven years with Ballet Theatre School. This year she's playing a character called Chinese.
“It's so much fun,” Isabella said. “It's so great to be around professionals and see what they do in their life. Everything starts out as just practices, then the sets come into it and it comes to life and it's so cool.”
Tickets for Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's production of “The Nutcracker” start at $28 and are available at pbt.org, calling 412-456-6666 or by visiting the box office at Theater Square.
Rachel Farkas is a Tribune-Review contributor.
