Raymen Volk will play a bear cub in the upcoming performance of the Nutcracker. (Tonya Wanner Photography)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

Jorgen Nutcracker

Two Battlefords dancers set to take the stage in ‘The Nutcracker: A Canadian Tradition’

Nov 19, 2024 | 5:00 PM

In just over a week’s time, the Sugar Plum Fairy is set to flutter and sparkle in Saskatoon, and this year, a squirrel and a bear cub from the Battlefords will join her.

Two dance students from the Stand Out Dance Collective have been chosen to dance in Ballet Jorgen’s annual touring performance of The Nutcracker: A Canadian Tradition.

According to Studio Owner Courtney Smith, four of her students made it through to the final round of auditions in Saskatoon held earlier this fall before eight-year-old Raymen Volk and Mikaela Hennings, 12, ultimately made the cut.

“I think they chose about 12 or 15 dancers overall out of like 50-some,” she said referring to the company’s policy of using local dancers around communities they perform in.

Volk has only danced for two years, and this will mark his first time joining a professional company where he will take on the role of the bear cub.

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“I wanted to audition for them to be on stage and have a lot of fun,” he said.

“I think ballet’s my thing ‘cause I’m doing pretty good in it, and I do all the dances,” he added referring to his training in jazz, acro, tap, lyrical and musical theatre. Hip-hop is his favourite.

The Nutcracker has a long and storied history beginning with its unsuccessful premiere in 1892 in Saint Petersburg. It tells the story of a young girl, usually named Clara, who along with the titular nutcracker must wage battle against a mouse king.

This will be Hennings second time performing with the company. Last year she was in their production of Anne of Green Gables. This time around, she’ll be playing a squirrel.

Mikaela Hennings will play a squirrel. (Tonya Wanner Photography)

“I think it’s like a special opportunity and I think it’s fun,” she said.

Smith said she started teaching Hennings when the girl was about seven and has watched her grow as a dancer and take on new challenges. Of Volk, Smith said he has been eager to learn and has taken on extra classes to improve his skills.

“They’re both just really fun and energetic kids to have in class,” she said.

“I’m just so proud of them for taking the risk and doing auditions like that ‘cause it’s nerve-wracking and it’s not easy and you’re put in a brand-new environment.”

It’s also a commitment.

“They drive to Saskatoon every week until the show to put in (this) extra time for extra rehearsals.”

“It makes me feel really, really good too to know that kids from our studio are really passionate about what they do,” she said.

“[They’re] really taking the training that we give them, the corrections we give them and utilizing them so well that a company such as Ballet Jorgen recognizes their talent.”

The Performance will be held on November 30 in Saskatoon at TCU Place.

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

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