Southwood Middle School’s Magnet Dance Department once again will present a full-length performance of The Nutcracker ballet for the holiday season.
The production is done at the school every three years, and will take place this year on Dec. 13 and 14 in the school’s auditorium.
A cast of more than 100 students as well as professional dancers will be participating, with direction by magnet teacher Hilda M. Jimenez and choreography by Hilda M. Jimenez and Barbara Saud.
“It is a beautiful collaboration of Southwood Dancers, orchestra, chorus, drama, photography and professional dancers from the company Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami,” Jimenez said.
The role of Sugar Plum Fairy will be danced by a professional dancer, Jennifer Villalon-Perez, and the role of Cavalier will be danced by a professional dancer, Gilberto Rodriguez. In addition, local actor Craig Dearr with play the role of Herr Drosselmeyer. Dearr is also a local attorney who has been participating in Southwood’s The Nutcracker for more than 15 years.
The talented magnet student cast is compromised of sixth, seventh and eighth graders who will either be dancing, acting, playing an instrument or working as technical backstage crew.
The reason Southwood Nutcracker is performed only once every three years is that it gives all the dancers in the magnet dance program the opportunity in their three years at Southwood to perform it at least once.
Jimenez has been the dance director at Southwood for 25 years, during which time she has directed The Nutcracker eight times. Southwood Middle School-Center for the Arts is the only middle school in the county to perform The Nutcracker ballet in its entirety.
“Our Nutcracker is in an intimate and closeup setting, therefore drawing in the audience greater than in a larger setting,” Jimenez said. “It’s a show for all ages and a show you do not want to miss.”
She said The Nutcracker has the full support of all the Southwood administration, including principal Raul Garcia and magnet lead teacher Nicholas Cameron.
“It is such a huge undertaking that without the administration and parental support, it would be very difficult to bring to life. I am proud to be a resident of Palmetto Bay as well as teach in a Palmetto Bay district school,” Jimenez said.
“Southwood Middle School continues to shine not only in the arts but in academics as well. This year we were once again an ‘A’ school, one of the highest ‘A’ schools in the county. We are all proud to be a Southwood Super Star and share our Nutcracker performance with everyone.”
Tickets are $10 general admission and can be bought a week in advance at Southwood or call 305-251-5361 for tickets.
