Studio 29 Dance Centre’s ‘Nutcracker’ has become community favorite in Burnet

DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR

BURNET — The eighth annual “The Nutcracker” by Studio 29 Dance Centre keeps people coming back, even if the only reason they first sat down to watch it was because someone they knew was performing.

“They do come to one show to see a dancer they know,” said studio owner and “The Nutcracker” producer Jenn Moore. “They continue coming for years to support their dancer, thanking me for changing it up to keep it interesting because they have to come every year. They come because they honestly enjoy it and know it’s a new, very fulfilling production each year, even bringing their friends to see it.”

And if you’re wondering what keeps people returning year after year for the traditional Christmas ballet, you can find out yourself when the dance studio hosts the production Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 8 at 2:30 p.m. at the Burnet High School auditorium, 1000 The Green Mile.[box]IF YOU GO
WHAT: Studio 29 Dance Centre’s “The Nutcracker”
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 8
WHERE: Auditorium at Burnet High School, 1000 The Green Mile in Burnet
ADMISSION: $12 for adults and $7 for children and students; children 2 and younger admitted free
FOR MORE: Go to www.studion29dance.com or call (512) 756-1073[/box]

Moore took over the production after she purchased the studio several years ago. “The Nutcracker” takes an inordinate amount of work, time and commitment, not just by the students but their families as well. Moore pointed out since tryouts and rehearsals in early fall, performing in “The Nutcracker” often meant giving up Saturdays, some evenings and even a few parties.

“But that’s what has always amazed me, the students’ commitment,” Moore said.

The time and energy requires a lot of work, and Moore admitted she’s considered curtailing the production. Then she overhears her students.

“The buzz from my students is, ‘Next year, I really want to be a candy cane,’ or whatever the role they want to have is,” she said. “And they work at it. They don’t just say they want a role, they work for it.”

So, Moore keeps bringing back the Christmas production.

And not just for the students. Over the past several years, she has witnessed the support the community gives the production and the enjoyment they get from it. Even though she doesn’t live in Burnet, Moore said the community has embraced her, the studio and “The Nutcracker.”

In return, she tries to create a dance studio and productions that serve the youth and community.

“It means so much to me that the community of Burnet gets excited about this production and supports it,” Moore said.

Some of that support comes through actually getting on stage with the dancers. Burnet Mayor Gary Wideman returns this year as the Drosselmeyer.

Moore turned to Rouchelle Burdick of Beautiful Reflections studio and day spa in Burnet to play Mother Ginger.

“She was so excited about it when I asked her,” Moore said. “It’s that type of support that makes this production so fun and so rewarding.”

And it’s also why it’s become a Hill Country Christmas tradition.

For more information, go to www.studion29dance.com or call (512) 756-1073. Tickets are available at the studio or at the door. Admission is $12 for adults; $7 for children and students; and free for 2 and under.

daniel@thepicayune.com