Youngsters dance in ‘Nutcracker’ for Moscow Ballet

Nine-year-old Nicky Williams is nervous but prepared for her role as an angel in the Moscow Ballet’s coming production of “The Nutcracker.”
With her sandy-colored ringlets, big blue eyes and demure demeanor, Nicky seems to fit the part perfectly.
The Brook Knoll Elementary School fourth-grader was one of 30 dancers chosen at the September audition for the Moscow Ballet’s “Great Russian Nutcracker” tour stop in Cupertino.
Since then, the Scotts Valley resident has practiced twice a week to get ready for the show.
“Ever since I was in preschool, I’ve been on stage,” said Nicky, who has trained in ballet and a bit of tap since she was 4.
Every year during the holidays, the Moscow Ballet does a tour of American cities to perform “The Nutcracker.” In each of the touring cities, the company auditions local young dancers for the parts of snowflakes, children, mice and angels.
Of the 30 dancers chosen for the Cupertino production, seven — including Nicky — are girls from Scotts Valley and the San Lorenzo Valley.
Audrey Bingham, Alissa Nolan and Sarah Wapner of Boulder Creek and Stella Maddox of Ben Lomond will join Nicky as angels in the holiday play.
Marinda James Heskett, 14, of Ben Lomond and Shannoah Pitts, 12, of Boulder Creek will also be performing for the second time in the Moscow Ballet production. James Heskett will play one of the ethnic dancers and Pitts is performing as one of the party kids.
In the past month, Nicky and the other angels have had to memorize two separate routines, which they rehearse with San Lorenzo Valley dance instructor Terry Phillips in Boulder Creek. They also travel to Saratoga for rehearsals.
The hardest part of being a dancer in the show is absorbing all the choreography, Nicky said.
“It’s hard to memorize what leg goes up when and what to do next,” she said.
Nicky initially heard about the audition through a friend — ads were posted in print publications all over the South Bay — and decided to go for it. The two-hour audition consisted of ballet bar work, turning combinations and moving across the floor.
“I had to wear a leotard and tights,” Nicky said. “There were a lot of girls there.”
The audition saw about 50 dancers go out for a coveted spot in the show.
The Moscow Ballet’s “Nutcracker” has long been praised for its technical dancing and whimsical costumes. The show is set against hand-painted backdrops and life-sized dancing puppets.
“I’m scared, but excited,” Nicky said. “I hope the other girls don’t get stage fright.”
 To comment, e-mail reporter Michelle Camerlingo at mi******@pr*********.com, call 438-2500 or post a comment at www.pressbanner.com.
At a glance
• WHAT: The Moscow Ballet’s “Great Russian Nutcracker”
• WHEN: 3 p.m. Nov. 28
• WHERE: Flint Center, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., in Cupertino
• TICKETS: www.nutcracker.com or Ticketmaster, 800-745-3000
• INFO: Group rates are available at 800-320-1733. For advance discounts, use promo code “SAVE”