WHS freshman Lillian Stern will dance the lead role of Clara in the Pioneer Valley Ballet’s “Nutcracker” this weekend. (Photo submitted)
WESTFIELD – Westfield High School freshman Lillian Stern, 15, will dance the lead role of Clara in Pioneer Valley Ballet’s upcoming production of The Nutcracker at the Academy of Music in Northampton.
Lily Stern will dance alongside professional dancers in six performances of the holiday classic Dec 13-15, 2019.
This is Stern’s 12th year performing in PVB’s Nutcracker, according to her mother Melissa Stern, who said her daughter began at age 3 as a reindeer. Other prior Nutcracker roles include Spanish, Marzipan, Snow and Flowers.
“She has dreamed about dancing this role since she was a little girl,” Melissa Stern said, adding that Lily Stern has been in the corps for three years, studies ballet 12-15 hours a week at the Pioneer Valley ballet school in Easthampton, and is an advanced level ballet student.
Lillian Stern (Photo submitted)
Performances include a Sensory and Family Safe Presentation Dec. 13 at 4 p.m., which is a one hour show, and a special performance Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. with musical guests the UMass Doo Wop Shop.
Traditional full-length performances (two hours with one intermission) will be Dec. 14 and 15 at 1 and 4:30 p.m.
New this year will be Storytime with Clara Dec. 15 from 12 to 12:30 p.m. Before she performs in The Nutcracker, Lily Stern, as Clara, will meet guests in the theater lobby and personally escort them up on stage into her living room. Children will hear the story of The Nutcracker, have the opportunity for a photo with Clara, and even get Clara’s autograph. The event is limited to 25 children.
For more information and tickets, visit pioneervalleyballet.org.
