December 11, 2003


Almaden dancers believe in the ‘magic’

The San Jose Dance Theater (SJDT) was magically transformed recently into 1830s New England as dancers performed “The Nutcracker” ballet. It was the 38th annual production of the family classic and is the South Bay’s longest running ballet. Several Almaden girls performed in the show.

More than 80 amateur dancers, ranging in age from 7 to adult joined four professional dancers for the performance. Many of the youth dancers performed various roles throughout the years, progressing to key roles in this year’s performance.

Leland High School junior Adrianna Dougherty has been performing in San Jose Dance Theatre’s production of “The Nutcracker” for nine years. Adrianna has studied dance for 13 years and is currently studying with Marie Stinnet Dance and Los Gatos Ballet. This year she fulfilled a dream of partnering with a professional dancer from San Francisco Ballet. Adrianna danced the role of the Snow Queen with Benjamin Pearce for the student matinee show.

“Christmas is just not the same for me without ‘The Nutcracker,’ especially the SJDT ‘Nutcracker,’” said Dougherty. “The high quality of the costumes, props, choreographers and professional dancers make dancing in the SJDT’s ‘Nutcracker’ a great experience for all of us. No other performance open to children can match the magic and professionalism of San Jose Dance Theatre.”

Julianne Polito, a sixth grader at Castillero Middle School, performed in her fourth year in the SJDT “Nutcracker” and danced the roles of Party Boy and Cookie. She has taken dance for nine years, studying dance at Los Gatos Ballet, Marie Stinnet Dance, and in the Castillero Dance Program.

“I’ve wanted to dance on stage since I was 2 years old. ‘The Nutcracker’ gives me a chance to live that dream each year, and to be with great people I only see once a year. San Jose Dance Theatre makes the ‘Nutcracker’ fun. I look forward to next year’s ‘Nutcracker’ auditions the minute the performance is over!”

Christina Polito, a third grader at Los Alamitos Elementary School, performed in her second year in the SJDT “Nutcracker,” dancing the roles of Party Girl, Cookie and Cherub. She has taken dance for four years, studying dance at Los Gatos Ballet and Marie Stinnett.

“I love to watch ‘The Nutcracker’ and really wanted to dance in it,” said Polito. “It makes me really happy to dance to the ‘Nutcracker.’ At first I was scared to know how many people where going to watch me dance, then I forgot about them and just started to dance the ‘Nutcracker!’”

One of the very special qualities about San Jose Dance Theatre’s production of “The Nutcracker” is its family participation in the show. More than 3, 000 volunteer hours go into making this production a success. For the past three years, Katie’s father, Jim Laufman has been working behind the scenes back stage. This year, he played a father in the “Party Scene” and shared the stage with his daughter. “I’ve been helping him practice and he’s getting really good.”