Students dazzled on stage early December 13 during the 2022 Philip Simmons Elementary Holiday Spectacular.
Following a four-song performance by the school's Iron Horse Choir (consisting of third and fourth-graders), Philip Simmons Elementary's fourth grade students took to the stage to debut "The Nutcracker Suite," a mini-musical based on Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's famous ballet (songs featured new lyrics written by Sally K. Albrecht).
This was a very student-involved performance that included choreography by Philip Simmons Elementary's own Allie Michaud and Sarah Perry, as well as Philip Simmons Middle student Lilly Kate Bendig.
Students worked under the direction of music teacher David Frazier. While thanking the school's parents, administration, fourth-grade team and academic arts teachers for their support in the production, Frazier also thanked the Arts in Basic Curriculum Institute, South Carolina Department of Education and the South Carolina Arts Commission for their continued support through the school's ABC Grant. This is a continuous grant that Frazier wrote for his school that helps support the arts in education.
Cast
Overture
Clara: Harper White
Fritz: Isaiah Julian
Children: Brielle Lundy, Lilly Kesner, Victoria Barr and Stella Kennedy
God papa: Kamale Williams
The March
Mouse King: Ava MAcy
Mice: Emma Davis, Zechariah Williams and Victoria Miller
Nutcracker: Zephaniah Williams
Toy soldiers: Riley Asby, Robert Van Patton and Moise Shaffer
Narrators: Jahmire Porcher, Leilani Kahl, Jackson Gissell, Cami McLeod and Isaiah Mack
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies
Fairies: Quinn Baker, Hope Farmer, Harper Miller, Ansley Minkin and Luca Persinger
Narrators: Danny Lewis and Caleb Mims
Trepak - The Russian Dance
Dancers: Peter Bliagous, Maxwell Moldenhouer, Cailyn Steed and Charlotte Terrell
Narrators: Caleb Mims and Corbin Wray
Arabian Dance
Soloists: Natalie Hutson and Allie Michaud
Dancers: Daniel Barr, Rutledge Dingle, Sai Anukriti Thuthika and Sean Poole
Narrator: Theodore Moss
Chinese Tea Dance
Dancers: Jaiden Habersham, Belle Lilly and Camila Navarro
Narrator: Kinley Mills
Dance of the Reed Flutes
Flutes: Eliza Blake, Emmalee Kendall, Jalayah Mack and Rylee Partain
Narrators: Ja'Taevion Maxwell and Derek Miller
Waltz of the Flowers
Flowers: Scarlett Blake, Hayden Brown, Luca Buchmeier, Genia Kravec, Kaylee Ann Schneider and Stella Wininger
Narrator: Nico Tanner
Singers, Prop Makers and Stage Crew
Joseph Brown, Alexis Casey, Chandler Claud, Kennedy Conyers, Dominick Delpiano, Jad Dingle, Camden Gethers, Joel Lopez, Lamaya Mack, Julian Mitchum, Shane-Carter Lynch, Sarah Perry, Lincoln Plewinski, Dillon Ramos-Madray, DJ Varner, Berkley Virostek, Fisher Waits, Davis White, Christopher Young, Lucy Kate Jayne, Parker Watson, Adelyn Parker and Madison Walker.