Hometown Rankin - December 2017 & January 2018

Leah Mitchener
Tchaikovsky on Pointe
“It is such a Christmas tradition that the holidays just aren’t
complete without seeing a live performance of The Nutcracker,”
said Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet Artistic Director Jennifer
Beasley. Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker is perhaps one of the
most well-known Christmas-themed dance performances in
the world, and has been for over one hundred years. The
Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet will be putting on their 25th
annual production of this beloved story on December 9th and
10th. “It’s a multi-generational experience. Grandparents down
to grandchildren come, and they come every year,” Jennifer
added. “It’s a tradition that we’re honored to uphold for these
families. I think that’s what keeps us doing it year after year.”
The dancers of the Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet Company
put in a lot of time and effort to make sure the show will
continuously be better than the year before. This traditional
Christmas performance is the only one each year that allows
the young students of the Academy (the official school of the
Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet), to audition for walk-on parts
to get some stage experience under their tutus and to fill
supporting roles.
Auditions were held all the way back at the beginning of
September, and the dancers have been rehearsing tirelessly ever
since. Joining the company of over 100 local dancers will be
professional guest performers Joseph Gatti, a USA IBC bronze
medalist, and Ashley Ellis, principal dancer for the Boston Ballet,
as well as other professional performers. And while the company
is comprised of dancers from all over the surrounding Jackson
areas, many hail from our very own Rankin County. These
dancers have had the opportunity to train at one of two Academy
locations in either Madison or at the Reservoir.
Performer Mattie Grace Morris loves the Nutcracker
because, “it is a tradition that always helps our community get
into the Christmas spirit.” She is especially excited this year to
perform one of her favorite roles as the Arabian soloist. Her
classmate, Anna Claire Nelson, is also thrilled about being able
to show her family, friends, and the community the beautiful
production that they’ve been working so hard on.
This will be Taylor Binkley’s ninth Nutcracker performance.
As her favorite production each year, Taylor is, “excited about
getting to perform for everyone in the audience because it brings
so many different people so much joy,” and that is exactly why
she loves the art of dance. Similarly, Rachel Lehman is especially
enthusiastic for this year’s Nutcracker because, according to her,
now that she’s older, things are more serious in her dancing life,
and the Nutcracker is a big opportunity! Having such traditional
performances in these young dancer’s repertoires is sure to help
them go far in their artistic careers.
The Nutcracker is an institution in the world of dancing.
These young artists have dedicated much of their spare time to
perfecting every pirouette, plié, adagio, and countless other
graceful movements in order to give family, friends, and the
community an unforgettable performance.
This is a can’t-miss event, so be sure to get your tickets today
and definitely stick around after the matinees for the “Nutcracker
Sweet” tea parties catered by Table 100. Also, mark your calendars
for the Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet’s spring performance of
Fairy Tale Favorites, featuring selections from the company’s
favorite and most well-received ballets including Beauty and the
Beast, Frozen, The Little Mermaid, and Princess and the Pea! It will be
sure to please the whole family. n
Hometown Rankin • 29