Windham dancer returns as Clara in Maine State Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”

Windham resident Emma Davis has returned to dance the coveted role of Clara in Maine State Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” at Merrill Auditorium, which began last Friday, November 29^th and will continue until Sunday, December 8^th.

The Windham Eagle newspaper staff member, Melissa Carter, attended last Friday’s performance

Emma Davis

with her husband and three-year old daughter. It was the first time Carter has attended Maine State Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”. She and her family thoroughly enjoyed the performance, especially her three-year-old. “My daughter was mesmerized with the dancing and stage displays throughout most of the evening,” Carter said. “The performers were nothing short of amazing. Their facial expressions communicated how much they enjoyed the theatrical production themselves, which only added to the enjoyment of the spectaculars. I would highly recommend watching this performance if you’ve never seen “The Nutcracker’”.

Set in early 19^th century Germany, the ballet features well-known characters such as Clara, Uncle Drosselmeyer, the Nutcracker Prince, and the Sugar Plum Fairy. Emma Davis and Laura Moskevich will dance the role of Clara. Arie Eiten and Trevor Seymour will again share the role of Nutcracker Prince. Principals Rhiannon Pelletier and Julia Lopez reprise the role of Sugar Plum Fairy, with First Soloist Kallee Gallant debuting. They will be partnered by Michael Hamilton as Cavalier. David Jon Timm plays the mysterious Uncle Drosselmeyer, and Principals Glenn and Janet Davis appear as Judge and Mrs. Stahlbalm.

As for the start of the show, Davis grew up dancing at Maine State Ballet and attended Windham Schools as well as being homeschool. She is the granddaughter of popular local resident and Broadway veteran Jonathan Miele, and great-granddaughter of Bob Miele, World War II Veteran and former owner of Patsy’s in South Windham. Davis currently is enrolled as a student at Brigham Young University’s innovative online “Pathway” program. Over the years Davis has danced in hundreds of performances at Maine State Ballet, including almost every role possible from a tiny Reindeer to Clara in “The Nutcracker”.

“I love dancing the role of Clara! When I was growing up I would watch the older girls dance at rehearsals and then would come home and do the entire Nutcracker in my kitchen. Being onstage gives me so much joy as I share my passion for dance with the audience.”

There is one more weekend of “The Nutcracker” performances which include this Friday, December 6 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, December 7 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sunday, December 8 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $20-70, with discounts available for groups, seniors & children, and are available at www.mainestateballet.org, by calling PortTIX at 207-842-0800, and at the Merrill Auditorium Box Office located on Myrtle Street in Portland. Friday, December 6 is Student Night for High School and College Students with valid ID. These $10 tickets can only be purchased by calling or visiting the Merrill Auditorium Box Office.

Other performers from the Raymond and Windham communities are as follows:

Raymond

Liliana Abbott, Maisy Dinsmore, Emma Fletcher, Kirsten Mains, Adrienne Pelletier, Gwen Rogers, Isabelle Stoll

Windham

Vivian Allen, Emily Charette, Emma Davis, Addison Farris, Mia Gaudet, Amelia Greslick, Meg Kingsley, Juliette Lauzier-Bridges, Hanna Miele, Marin Miele

Maine State Ballet, a non-profit based in Falmouth, Maine, is one of the state’s leading arts organizations. It has been twice named Maine’s Best Dance Group by Downeast Magazine. Maine State Ballet houses the Maine State Ballet Company, the 175-seat Lopez Theater, and its School for the Performing Arts, with continuous instruction in ballet, tap, and jazz for 100 years.