WHBPAC's 2014 Nutcracker 'Sweet' Ballet Program Seeks Young Dancers; Performances Set for 12/13-14

Westhampton Beach, NY -- Celebrating its 5th year of producing the Nutcracker "Sweet" Ballet, WHBPAC's Dancecore Ballet Program invites young dancers ages 5 to 18 to join this popular ballet residency which runs from September 16 - December 12 culminating in public performances on December 13 and 14. The fee is $375 for ages 11 and under and $385 for ages 12 and over. Register online at www.whbpac.org.

Young dancers will have visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads as they rehearse and receive ballet instruction from Artistic Director Christiana Bitonti and Dancecore Principal Dancer Rochelle Martin. When the PAC introduced this program in 2010, it had only 25 students. By 2013, the program had grown to 70 students with even more expected for 2014. To celebrate, a third performance has been added, a matinee on Saturday!

Students will dance alongside a company of six professionals, some of whom have danced major roles with the celebrated Ballet Long Island and renowned dance companies like Eglevsky Ballet, the Ailey School, and David Parsons & the Parsons Dance Company. This year's performance introduces new magical features and has more surprises than ever before.

The cast takes the stage performing the beloved tale of Clara, a young girl who takes a magical journey to the Land of Sweets alongside her Nutcracker Prince. After Clara receives a beautiful Nutcracker from her uncle, she finds herself on an enchanted voyage alongside her Nutcracker Prince -- through a snowy forest and on to the Kingdom of Sweets. Lively new dance pieces and an expanded Christmas Eve party scene are incorporated into this year's adaptation making it the biggest and best production ever!