Area kids dance in Joffrey Ballet's "Nutcracker"

Nine-year-old Joselyn Patterson has taken dancing lessons since she was three. Her favorite ballet is the "Nutcracker," an old-time fairy tale that's been a holiday classic with kids for years.

Earlier last year, Joselyn told her parents, "I've wanted to dance in the 'Nutcracker' for my whole life."

A month later, while listening to the kids' radio station, Radio Disney, she heard an announcement that enabled her to fulfill her wish.

The broadcast told of an audition for area kids to try out for dancing parts in the December performances by the famed Joffrey Ballet of the "Nutcracker" at the Fox Theater.

Joselyn Patterson

Joselyn of Ballwin was among a huge crowd of kids who auditioned for parts at tryouts at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. The Dance St. Louis organization conducted the auditions and co-sponsored the Joffrey's appearance.

In the end, nearly 120 area kids were selected to dance in supporting roles alongside the adult members of one of the most recognized ballet companies in the world.

But, starting last September, the kids had to take part in rehearsals once or twice a week right up to the performances in early December.

The kids were divided into two dance teams. That's because employment rules limit number of performances young kids can do. Each team participated in three of the six shows in five days the ballet performed. There were five evening and one matinee shows at the Fox.

Alexis Strauss

Ten-year-old Alexis Strauss of Glendale also won a spot in the "Nutcracker" cast.

Like Joselyn, Alexis also started dancing lessons when she was three.

Alexis said she got a chance to watch a Joffrey company perform in Chicago. "Kids from our dance academy went to Chicago where we saw the Joffrey in 'Cinderella.' After seeing that, I really wanted to dance with them," she said.

Her teacher at Caston's Ballet Academie posted the "Nutcracker" audition notice on the school's board. She said, "I thought I did very well at the tryouts." But, she said her parents urged her not to count too much on winning one of the spots.

She said, "When I won, I was so happy that I was both crying and smiling at the same time."

Alexis said the Fox Theatre was the biggest stage on which she's performed. "I saw the inside of the theater for the first time during a costume rehearsal only a couple days before the first performance."

She said, "The theater is so beautiful."

Erica

Twelve-year-old Erica of Columbia, Ill., also was in this year's dance team for the Joffrey performances. But, this year was actually the second time she'd danced in the "Nutcracker" at the Fox.

"I was a mouse in "Nutcracker" four years ago. This time, I got two parts in the performances," she said. Erica takes lessons at the Alexandra School of Ballet.

She was a mouse again but also was a "polchenell." That's a small child who comes out of the giant pleated skirt of one of the adult dancers.

Joselyn won a part as a "snow tree angel" whose dance steps are performed on tiptoe. She takes her dance lessons at the Dance Academy.

Alexis had the part of a soldier, complete with a uniform and a toy rifle.

The "Nutcracker" is a perennial favorite across the country, especially during the holidays. The make-believe story has such well-known numbers as the "Sugar Plum Fairy" and a score by famed composer Tchaikovsky.

There were half-dozen different groups performing some version of the "Nutcracker" in December just in St. Louis.

A review by the Washington Post newspaper called the Joffrey's version "an elegantly unified production, with tastefully executed vintage touches and great care taken with Tchaikovsky's beloved score."

Erica and Alexis both say they want to be professional dancers when they grow up. And they want to perform in New York, which they consider to be the dance capitol of the country.

But, Joselyn said she's more interested in a career in architecture.