Behind the scenes of The Nutcracker: Catch these cuties!

This weekend, these little cuties share the stage with ballet superstars Jose Manuel Carreno and Jeffrey Cirio in Next Generation Ballet's production of The Nutcracker. This production at the Straz Center in Tampa features original choreography by Artistic Director Peter Stark and extraordinary sets and costumes that are sure to dazzle.

These young caterpillars are students in the
Patel Conservatory Youth Ballet program,
which allows them the opportunity to
perform at the Straz Center.

Everyone--no matter how young--is expected to perform flawlessly.

 

Kennedy Falyn Cassada shows her holiday spirit with colorful pins on her leotard.


Cassada recently moved to Tampa so she and her brother Kemper Cassada, NGB trainee, could study with Stark at the Patel Conservatory.


In this weekend's The Nutcracker, Kennedy plays Clara's friend, a soldier and a Polichinelle.








These Faberge eggs practice dancing in their costumes.

Clara and her prince watch the Corps de Ballet perform.

*Photos by Carol Cohen