By ALEXANDRIA BOURNONVILLE

Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE–The Second Skin Shop in Marquette will host the “Nutcracker Ballet” at the Kaufman Auditorium at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday.

For nearly 20 years, this tradition has been persevering in Marquette. However, this will be the first performance since 2019 due to COVID-19.

Auditions are routinely held in early September with rehearsals beginning just a week after that.

This year, the show will feature ballroom dancing, swing, jazz, acrobatics and aerialists as well as ballet. There is a healthy mix of both experienced dancers and people who’ve never set foot in a dance studio. Participants in the performance range in age from 3 to 50.

In a divergence from the original “Nutcracker,” there will be two princesses: the Snow Princess, played by Sarah Conklin, and the Ice Princess, played by Bella Coleman.

Both have been training in ballet from age 4.

Additionally, both will use pointe shoes, a special ballet shoe that allows dancers to support and balance their entire body weight entirely on their toes.

Don Miles, an experienced ballet dancer from Colorado, will play the part of Drosselmeyer, the uncle of the Nutcracker himself. Miles has over 30 years of experience under his belt, many of those being spent practicing various parts for the Nutcracker.

“This is probably my… 25th Nutcracker,” Miles said. “At least the last 10 years I’ve played Drosselmeyer…I started when I was 24.”

Miles recently made his way east to Marquette this fall.

“When I got here, the first thing I did was start looking for a (dance) studio,” he said. “And these young kids keep me young.”

Ten-year-old Hana Danek will play the part of Clara. She’s been dancing since she was 2 years old and started competitive ballet five years ago.

“I’m usually center stage and I move around with the ”Nutcracker a lot,” Hana said.

She’s nervous for her big role, but also really excited.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at $9 for kids and $15 for adults through NMUEZ ticket outlets at 906-227-1032 or at nmu.universitytickets.com. If bought at the door, there will be an additional $2 fee.

Alexandria Bournonville can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 206. Her email address is abournonville@miningjournal.net.