For the past 12 months, Sydney Kaminski has been in the dance studio practicing steps, rehearsing sequences, studying DVDs of previous performances, and perfecting the routine to land the role of a lifetime in an iconic holiday ballet.
Sometimes that meant staying up late to finish homework, declining party invitations, and skipping opportunities to hang out with friends.
But the hard work paid off – Sydney won the coveted lead role of Clara in “The Nutcracker” at Downey Civic Theatre this year.
“I have wanted to dance as Clara since I was little and first performed in this ballet,” said Sydney, a Seal Beach native and McAuliffe seventh grader who also attended McGaugh Elementary School. “I am really excited – this is a new and challenging role for me.”
“The Nutcracker” has become the most-performed ballet of all time and tells the dreamy story of young Clara who helps the Nutcracker Prince defeat the Mouse King before continuing with Christmas magic and celebrations. Like Clara’s magical dream, Sydney’s dreams are coming true by dancing this role.
Sydney will also dance the part of The Doll, which includes a solo.
And, Sydney will also be dancing with her friends.
Alexi Zoolakis, a seventh grader at Oak Middle School and Rossmoor resident, will also play the role of Clara, in addition to a Snowflake and Mirliton Corps. McAuliffe seventh grader and Seal Beach resident Elizabeth Tsamous, will dance as a Party Girl, a Snowflake and as a member of the Spanish Corps. The trio have been good friends for most of their lives.
“I’m excited to dance as Clara because I’ve never been the lead,” said Alexi, who is preparing for her ninth year as a “Nutcracker” dancer. “It’s every dancer’s dream to be a lead. I love dancing because it allows me to truly be myself. It also allows me to show my self-confidence.”
In addition, Los Alamitos High School freshman Gabriela Fellingham will dance one show as the Arabian lead and the other as the Dew Drop Fairy. The Seal Beach resident has been dancing for six years and this is her fifth performance in “The Nutcracker.” Her sister Lucia, a sixth grader at St. Hedwig School, will perform as a Party Girl and in the Chinese Corps.
The girls dance for the Southern California Dance Theatre and take classes at the Southern California Dance Academy in Long Beach. They began dancing in “The Nutcracker” nearly 10 years ago, starting with roles such as Mother Ginger children and Soldiers, working their way up the ranks to become Party Boys, Snow Angels, and then Party Girls before moving on to lead roles, which include Clara.
To land the Clara role, Sydney and Alexi have worked tirelessly over the last several years, taking multiple classes, including Sunday intensive classes with the American Ballet Theater in Costa Mesa. They also spent their entire summer dancing and volunteering at the dance studio.
Performances for “The Nutcracker” are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 (Sydney will dance as Clara) and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 20 (Alexi will dance as Clara) at the Downey Civic Theatre at 8435 Firestone Boulevard in Downey.
For more information about The Nutcracker performance or to purchase tickets, go to www.downeytheatre.com or call the Downey Civic Theatre box office at 562-861-8214.