The Lester Centre of the Arts was nearly full last Saturday, December 10, when the Dance Academy of Prince Rupert presented “The Bullies Who Tried to Steal Christmas”, the school’s holiday performance.
The Bullies Who Tried to Steal Christmas consisted of familiar, classic holiday characters such as Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman, who in this presentation were bullied some Naughty Swans. The script was by Nancy Paul, who played Mrs. Claus throughout the performance.
The presentation started off by telling the story of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, who was being bullied by Santa Claus’ other reindeer. To help cheer Rudolph up, over 30 of his young female dancing friends performed “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” choreographed by Teresa Mackereth, as well as fourteen of his young male friends who performed “Baby Please Come Home” choreographed by Jennifer Klooper.
Klooper also choreographed the next number, “Loser Like Me”, that had female dancers and singers of all age performing on stage together.
Before the Naughty Swans bullied Frosty, over 30 young female performers helped Frosty sing and dance to the popular Christmas song “Frosty the Snowman”. Shannon Vallee choreographed this number.
Ballet student Hannah Douglas, who was one of the older female students of the Academy, performed an impressive ballet Swan Solo next, which was choreographed by Darlene Williams.
The next 25 students perform “Believe”, which was choreographed by Meghan MacRae.
MacRae also choreographed the hip-hop student’s routine, “Suga Plum Fairiez” to a hip-hop styled Christmas classic, “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy”, but before the 20 male and female students took the stage, Mrs. Claus, or Nancy Paul sang solo to “Old Toy Trains”.
“Naughty Swans and Nice Swans” choreographed by Shannon Vallee, wrapped the holiday presentation up with a good life-lesson, that nice people will always prevail over bullies. This number included five naughty and five nice Swans, played by more experience, older female dance students. Vallee choreographed this number, which incorporated elegant ballet moves.
In the final number of the performance, “Holly Jolly Christmas” which was choreographed by Meghan MacRae, over 30 dancers and singers took the stage, with a special appearance from Santa Claus.