Nutcracker performance delights children at Schlow library

It’s the story of sugar plum fairies, toy soldiers and a mouse king, set to music that has become iconic to the Christmas season.

And for as grand a show it is, there are no rules saying that even the smallest child can’t find enjoyment in it, albeit on a shrunken scale.

Students from the Performing Arts School of Central Pennsylvania showcased their annual rendition of “The Nutcracker” ballet Sunday for an audience of children at the Schlow Centre Region Libray. A scaled-back version of PASCP’s full performance, the show featured an abridged story with brief highlights of the performances and music.

“Our mission is to provide students with a joyful pursuit of happiness,” PASCP Artistic Director Rebecca Maciejczyk said, “by encouraging education in the arts, nurturing each student’s potential for success and inspiring them to enjoy the arts for life.”

The performance featured 11 dancers ranging from age 9 to 15, according to Maciejczyk, and showcased dances from both acts of the show. Between dances, student Emily Maciejczyk read a shortened version of the story, pausing for each performance.

Featuring Tchaikovsky’s classic score, “The Nutcracker” tells the story of Marie, who, in the version preferred by Maciejczyk, dreams her nutcracker statue has come to life, and travels with him through the land of snow and sweets to defeat the Mouse King and his army of mice.

PASCP’s community outreach program is an opportunity for the students to show off what they can do, Maciejczyk said, but also allows the school to reach out to other children who may be interested in ballet.

After the show, she invited the children in the audience to try some basic ballet warmups and moves, describing good posture, how to perform a plié — or basic bend — and how to bow or curtsy.

The show lasted 30 minutes, short enough for younger viewers who may not be able to sit through a full show, said Anita Ditz, Schlow’s head of children’s services. A full two-act performance by PASCP is scheduled for Dec. 12-13 at the Eisenhower Auditorium at Penn State.

Following the show, children were welcomed to the children’s library for games and activities. Ditz said this marks the third year of “The Nutcracker” performances at the library.

“Part of what we do is introduce kids to a wide world of opportunities and experiences,” she said. “A public library should be a keystone of the community, and we’re very lucky we have a community that supports us.”

This story was originally published November 22, 2015 at 10:02 PM with the headline "Nutcracker performance delights children at Schlow library."