Nutcracker Program

Louisville Academy of Fine Arts Presents

The Nutcracker

2024

Welcome to The Nutcracker!

Thank you so much for joining us and supporting these incredibly talented dancers this weekend. Each dancer, from the Snowflurries to the Sugar Plum Fairies, has poured their heart and soul into this production, and we couldn’t be more proud of them. From countless ballet classes to hours of rehearsals, every single one of them has shown unwavering dedication, and it’s been a joy to witness their growth.

When Ms. Julie asked me to direct this year’s production, I’ll admit I was nervous about taking on such a big responsibility. But with the help of our exceptional dancers, staff, and crew, the experience has been nothing short of magical.

Throughout the process, we’ve shared laughter, joy, hard work, and a deep sense of devotion to this art form. Watching the dancers grow both on and off the stage has been an incredibly emotional journey—one that has made me so proud, I find myself teary-eyed after every rehearsal. If you know me, you know that’s not hard to do!

Each year, I think I can’t possibly be any prouder of these kids, and each year they prove me wrong. Their growth—both as dancers and as people—has been truly remarkable.

As a young dancer, I loved to perform. Now, as a director, there is nothing more fulfilling than watching my students shine on stage. Their smiles, their passion, their dedication—this is what makes this experience so special.

Today, I invite you to join us in celebrating these incredible dancers. Applaud, laugh, cheer, and show them the love and appreciation they deserve. Thank you for being here in the Land of the Sweets. We hope you enjoy the show!

Best,

Grace McWilliams

Director, The Nutcracker

~ No flash photography ~

~ No video recording ~

The Nutcracker Crew

Director, Louisville Academy of Fine Arts – Julianne Whitman McWilliams

Director, The Nutcracker – Grace McWilliams

Choreography – Julianne Whitman McWilliams, with Clare Kresse, Emma Lucas, and Grace McWilliams

Assistant Rehearsal Director – Clare Kresse

Rehearsal Assistant – Jon McWilliams

Director of Production / Stage Manager – Emma Lucas

Assistant Stage Manager – Abby Marvin

Technical Director – David W. Nelson

Sound – Ogle Center Tech

Costumes designed by – Julianne Whitman McWilliams

Costumers – Selena Elbl, Patricia Gibson, Donna Ruley

Sets and Props – Clare Kresse, Evan Kopytek, Leigh Ann Lynn, Emma Lucas, Abby Marvin, Grace McWilliams, Jon McWilliams, Bex Richter, Lauren Schoen

Stage Crew – Ann Elizabeth Badaracco (Alumni), Charlotte Bariteau (Alumni), Jennah Blair (Alumni), Eva Meredith (Alumni), Mia Reilly (Alumni), Leila Reilly (Alumni)

Program Design – Grace McWilliams

Poster Design – Clare Kresse

Ticket Sales – Jennifer Dee Schulten, Ogle Center

Volunteer Coordinator– Grace McWilliams

Head Volunteers – Stephanie Dailey, Leigh Ann Lynn, Lauren Schoen

Flower Sales – Janet Mills

Videos – Harlan Richter (Video Wizard)

Door Monitors – Kelsey Colvin, Reid Hafer, Erin Marvin, Lauren Morgan

And a lot of Volunteers tirelessly assisting all of the LAFA staff and dancers!

A special Thank You to the Ogle Center Staff!

Participating Studios

Thank you for trusting us with your dancers!

Elevate Dance Ministry, Envision Dance Company, Louisville Dance Alliance, That’s Dancing, Thrive School of Dance

The Nutcracker

Music by: Pyotr Tchaikovsky

Original Sugar Plum Grand Pas Choreography: Marius Petipa

Cast A: 12/13 & 12/14 at 7:00 / Cast B: 12/14 & 12/15 at 2:00

Act One – Scene One – Party Scene

Clara – Addie Lynn / Carter Hafer

Fritz – Annabelle Boylan / Clara Dupont

Party Children – Campbell Beery / Nora Schoen, Mary Catherine Boylan / Eli Gould,

Maddy Fohr / Aubrie Price, Cali Kiertekles, Bella Lynn / Harper Woodward, Elise Low,

Lucie McGarity, Cavin Morris

Herr Drosselmeyer – Jon McWilliams

Frau Stahlbaum – Angie Witten / Laura McGarity

Herr Stahlbaum – Andrew Witten / Ronnie Schrodt

Grandparents – Paula Roberts, Howard Whitman

Maids – Sophia Conatser, Aurora Gilbertson, Sallie Goodwin

Party Parents – Christina Becher, Ashley Copeland, Kaela Dickerman,

Chris Harlow, Lisa Wachs, Mckenzie Woodward

Harlequin – Charlotte Peterson

Columbine – Maizey Bowen

Act One – Scene Two – The Battle

Medic Mouse – Laila Karaoud / Charlie Shain

Mice – Cast A: Ruthie Harlow-Morgan, Lucy Ritter, McKenzie Voyles

Cast B: Grace Cotter, Bea Lawrence, Charlotte O’Brien, Caroline Eifler

Nutcracker Prince – Aspen Livesay

Toy Soldiers – Marion Barber, Rhodes Becher, Abby Dailey,

Clara Dupont / Annabelle Boylan, Taylor O’Brien, Rachel Schrodt

Rat King – Rachel Mills

Rats – Annie Costello, Aurora Gilbertson, Sallie Goodwin, Carter Hafer / Addie Lynn, Holland Hulsewede, Evangeline Montoya, Claire Schoen / Ava Claire Malone

Act One – Scene Three– The Snow Forest

Snow Queen – Ava Claire Malone / Tru Elbl

Snowflurries – Cast A: Edie Arnold, Ivy Baah, Kynleigh Reynolds, Isla Wachs

Cast B: Molly Brice, Scarlet Broderick, Birdie Lavelle, Lily Pesek

Snowflakes – Bryn Billingsley, Larkin Blair (Carter Hafer Fri.), Maizey Bowen, Ella Dailey, Sara Beth Hardesty (Tru Elbl Fri.) / Arabella Conatser, Holland Hulsewede, Rachel Mills, Lydia Morgan, Charlotte Peterson, Claire Schoen

~ 15 Minute Intermission ~

Act Two - Scene One – Cotton Candy Clouds

Angels – Marion Barber, Rhodes Becher, Annie Costello, Sallie Goodwin, Taylor O’Brien

Cherub Angels – Cast A: Mae Arnold, Charlotte Brown, Jazlyn Butler, Conley Sorrels,

Sloane Wachs – Cast B: Blaire Bahm, Amelia Brice, Sarah Kate Fuchs, Emma Nelson,

Lily Ng, Gianna Versace

Act Two - Scene Two – Land of the Sweets

Sugar Plum Fairy – Arabella Conatser / Sara Beth Hardesty

Cooks – Reagan Ball, Lydia Carroll, Iris Colvin, Hattie Kilby, Jordan Marvin, Sloan Russell, Ezra Sexton

Spanish Chocolate – Larkin Blair (Charlotte Peterson Fri.) / Lydia Morgan,

Tru Elbl / Ava Claire Malone, Maizey Bowen / Holland Hulsewede,

Sara Beth Hardesty (Rachel Mills Fri.) / Arabella Conatser

Arabian Coffee – Claire Schoen

Coffee Corps – Aurora Gilbertson, Evangeline Montoya

Teapot Quartet – Annabelle Boylan, Abby Dailey, Clara Dupont, Rachel Schrodt

Candy Canes – Maizey Bowen, Carter Hafer, Holland Hulsewede, Addie Lynn

Marzipan – Larkin Blair (Claire Schoen Fri.) / Lydia Morgan, Ella Dailey / Bryn Billingsley, Tru Elbl / Ava Claire Malone, Rachel Mills / Charlotte Peterson

Madame Bonbon – Bryn Billingsley / Ella Dailey

Polichinelles – Cast A: Campbell Beery, Mary Catherine Boylan, Shelby Grace Copeland, Maddy Fohr, Camille Hartlage, Bella Lynn, Kaia Payne, Rosie Ruley, Ruby Witten

Cast B: Caroline Fuchs, Alexis Grayson, Eli Guild, Ellie Lavelle, Rose O’Brien,

Raven Owsley, Aubrie Price, Dani Quinn, Harper Woodward

Dew Drop Fairy – Lydia Morgan / Larkin Blair

BumbleBees - Cast A: Edie Arnold, Ivy Baah, Kynleigh Reynolds, Isla Wachs

Cast B: Molly Brice, Scarlet Broderick, Birdie Lavelle, Lily Pesek

Waltz of the Flowers – Maizey Bowen, Carter Hafer / Addie Lynn,

Abby Dailey / Rachel Schrodt, Ella Dailey / Bryn Billingsley, Holland Hulsewede

Sara Beth Hardesty (Clara Dupont Fri.) / Arabella Conatser, Ava Claire Malone / Tru Elbl,

Charlotte Peterson / Rachel Mills, Claire Schoen

Flower Fairies – Marion Barber, Rhodes Becher, Annabelle Boylan, Clara Dupont,

Taylor O’Brien, Rachel Schrodt / Abby Dailey

~ The End ~