Ever wonder who those kids are and why they get to dance in the Nutcracker with the world famous Joffrey Ballet? This info came today in an email from Dance St. Louis:

Each year 118 local children dance in the production after three intensive months of rehearsals following a rigorous audition process. These children all get to perform on stage at the Fox Theatre with some of the best professional dancers in the world, wear beautiful and creative costumes, and enjoy weeks of training with some of the area’s finest ballet professionals. Over 50 more children sing in the choir provided by the Kirkwood Children’s Chorale. An amazing experience in so many ways!

About the Kids

  • 10 pairs of siblings, the most ever! – 9 sisters, one brother-and-sister
  • Veterans: 45 members of this year’s cast performed in Nutcracker at the Fox in 2009, three performed in 2007 but not 2009, five will have performed in all three years
  • 34 different dance schools
  • 88 different public, private and parochial schools – elementary, middle and high schools on both sides of both rivers – plus 3 homeschooled students
  • East to West:  From Troy, Illinois (the furthest east) to Labadie, Missouri (about one hour west)
  • North to South:  From St. Charles to DeSoto

Thanks, Dance St. Louis, for mentioning the homeschooled dancers!

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