Not Just for Kids

The Stuff Dreams Are Made of

This time of year, the pageants of Christmas give everyday girls and boys their time to shine like stars. Living your dreams is hard work, say two of those stars, young dancers at Abigail Francisco’s School of Classical Ballet. For all that, there’s nothing they’d rather do.

by Emelia Brumbaugh
I dance every day of the week, including weekends, to get ready for the main role of Clara in The Nutcracker at Abigail Francisco’s School of Classical Ballet. Usually our teacher allows us one day off for our muscles to relax, but as the show draws nearer, relaxation days become fewer and fewer.

This is my eighth year of ballet, and my sixth of performing The Nutcracker.

Each year, dancers audition for their parts. At my school, on audition day you take a class according to your level and age. In the class, you warm up and then line up according to height with the teachers watching you. They may ask you to do a step or two to see how you look in a part.

Once you have your part, rehearsal begins. The bigger the role, the more work you should expect to do.

At the end, all the hard work you’ve done pays off. With a great teacher and great friends, putting on a show is as fun as can be. I love the thrill and excitement of it.

and Leslie Smith
I’ve danced in The Nutcracker at Abigail Francisco’s School of Classical Ballet for three years. In those years, I’ve danced many roles. I’ve been Snow and a Flower, a Chinese Girl and an Arabian, a Columbine Doll and a Harlequin Doll. This year, I’ll have my biggest role. At the school performance, I’ll dance the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Participating in the production of The Nutcracker has changed my life. It has encouraged me to be persistent and hard working in everything I do. I cannot imagine what my life would be like if I didn’t participate. I would never have anything to do. This experience has taught me so much about life and dancing, which is what I love.

The practice can be stressful at times, but it is all worth it when it comes time to perform, and the process of rehearsing every week for long hours brings the best memories.

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Kids’ Stuff

Saturday, December 6
Tiny Tot Trot
Young nature lovers, ages 2-3, learn about and discover wild babies with a naturalist. 10am @ Battle Creek Cypress Swamp, Gray’s Rd. off Sixes Rd., Prince Frederick. $3 w/discounts; rsvp: 410/535-5327.

To Find a Mockingbird
Kids of all ages learn about the northern mockingbird while walking thru park with Ranger Dave DeVault. Bring field guides and binoculars. Children under 13 also bring an adult. 10-11am @ Pleasantville Park, off Cedar Branch Rd., Glen Burnie. free: 410/222-6244.

Gingerbread Houses
Kids ages 6-12 make their own gingerbread houses to take home. Bring candy to decorate the house. 2pm @ Calvert Public Library, 30 Duke St., Prince Frederick. free; rsvp: 410/535-0291 • www.calvert.lib.md.us.

Wednesday, December 10
Gingerbread Man Comes to Life
Kids ages 3-9 hear stories about the Gingerbread Man and decorate a gingerbread house afterwards. Kids also make a craft and enjoy a snack. 7pm @ Annapolis Public Library, 1410 West. St., Annapolis. free: 410/222-1750.

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Calling Chesapeake Country’s 2003 Babies

We’re collecting pictures of Bay Weekly’s newest readers to spotlight on our last “Not Just For Kids” page of the year.

Send your favorite baby picture (with baby’s and parents’ name and address; baby’s birthdate; your name and address) to: Bay Weekly P.O. Box 358 Deale, MD 20751 (original photos will be returned) or e-mail: [email protected].

Send digital photos in .TIF or .JPEG format at 150 dpi, no smaller than three inches wide.

Photos must be received by Thursday, December 18. We’ll send family and baby a souvenir copy!

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