The Nutcracker on Ice
Greenwood Skating Club’s Nutcracker on Ice a community Christmas tradition
action I get with all the other cast members being The Nutcracker, which is very fun,” Robert said.
Ten-year-old Ashlynn Clarke of Greenwood, who played Clara, said this was her first time in the role. Clarke has been skating for five years and has been with the Greenwood club for four.
“A few years ago, I really didn’t have that much of a role,” Clarke said. “I was just a doll.”
She was looking forward to seeing more ice time as part of the starring role and having more of a routine this time, although there were a few jitters to contend with.
“It makes me feel a bit nervous, actually, because I’m not really used to all of that attention,” Clarke said.
She said learning new skills and the feeling of landing a jump for the first time, for example, are among the things she loves about skating. It’s fun to combine these abilities with a more theatrical-style performance in the role of Clara.
Greenwood Skating Club president Adele Robert said this is the 11th year the club has done a Christmastime production of The Nutcracker on Ice. They have 137 members, ranging in age from three to 62. About 75 were involved in the show.
“We most look forward to getting all our skaters together to show off what they’ve learned since September,” Robert said. “It’s become quite a Christmas tradition around Greenwood and the surrounding area.”
She said there are some community members who attend year after year. There are several seniors who come who don’t have grandchildren involved but have made attending part of their annual Christmas celebrations.
When it comes to the skaters, Robert said perhaps the part they enjoy most is getting to put costumes on and getting to pretend. They also enjoy practicing their routines and showing off how well they can skate.
To watch a video package from the show, visit www.kingscountynews.ca.