National Ballet School's Nutcracker gets Oakville surge by Abigail Cukier Special to the Beaver 31 | Thursday, December 11, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Oakville will be well represented in The Nutcracker at the Four Seasons Centre in Toronto this month. Five Oakville natives will perform in the holiday favourite. In his second year at Canada's National Ballet School (NBS), Cole Sweet will be dancing the lead male role of Misha. Cole embodies the character of Misha, according to Laurel Toto, NBS Junior School manager and community engagement comanager, and Mavis Staines, artistic director. "He is a musical and charismatic young dancer, as well as having a mature work ethic. It has been a rewarding experience to work with him on this role." Sweet took up dance because his sisters' studio offered free classes for boys. He was accepted to the prestigious ballet school just a couple of years later. In last year's Nutcracker, Sweet danced the roles of a son in the family scene, as well as a courtier. "It is more nerve-racking this year because of my new role. But I am really happy about it," said the 12-year-old. Show runs Dec. 13-Jan. 3, 2015 Each year, students from NBS and Toronto-area high schools participate in The National Ballet of Canada's production of The Nutcracker, which runs from Dec. 13 to Jan. 3, 2015. Now in its 19th year, the show features five when she was inspired by her sister. "When I watched my sister dance, I felt so open. I would just be dancing around at home. It was so amazing watching her," Aria said. Noelle Britton, 12, started dancing at age three. "I am really excited because this is my first time doing a giant performance," she said. "I am nervous but I am ready." It is the difficulty that draws Noelle to ballet "I like working hard. It's very technical and I like that." Avery Buckley, 11, started dancing at age two. She was totally surprised when she was accepted at NBS. "I didn't believe it at the beginning," she said. "I had auditioned for fun and for the experience and staying in a hotel." She is excited to dance on the big stage. "I've seen other ballets at the Four Seasons Centre and the stage is humongous," she said. Oakville natives, from left to right, Cole Sweet, Noelle Britton, Avery Buckley, Chloe Buren, and Arya Vohora are performing in the National Ballet School's The Nutcracker this month at Toronto's Four Seasons Centre. | photo by Jackielou Perez -- special to the Beaver students from NBS's part-time Associates Program and Teacher Training Program, as well as full-time students from the Professional Ballet Program. Since 2006, NBS students have been joined by more than 60 students from Toronto's performing arts high schools in the "Battle Scene." Chloe Buren, 11, is in her first year at NBS. She is getting used to the rigorous days, which start at 8:30 a.m. and include aca- demic classes and a two-hour ballet class, as well as a dance class Saturdays. "It is definitely different but I like being in an environment where we are all dancers, so we all share the same interests," she said. Buren started dancing at age four. "I like the challenge, especially ballet. I like the focus that it takes," she said. Aria Vohora, 12, is in her second year at the school. She has been dancing since age Five hours per week rehearsals Toto says about 325 students will perform in this year's production. They have been rehearsing about five hours a week since early October. "Participating in The Nutcracker is a tremendous benefit to our students," Toto said. "It gives them the opportunity to work on choreography by a world-class choreographer, such as James Kudelka. They work with the National Ballet of Canada's dancers and artistic staff, which allows them to see what it will be like to be a professional dancer." Final Theatresports show of the year tomorrow at Black Box The last edition of the year of Oakville Improv Theatre Company's Theatresports show is tomorrow (Friday). Held at the Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre's Black Box Theatre, 2302 Bridge Rd., the show combines theatre and sports as it pits teams of improvisers against each other in a battle of wits and laughs. The final match of 2014 will see Oakville teams Coarse Whisperers, featuring Maya Mohan, Sue Illes and Christine Pillman, vie against No. 1 ranked Those Meddling Kids, featuring Erin Fearon, Brennan Asbridge and Emma Currie. In the second half of the show, Gary Pearson, co-creator of the new sketch comedy show Sunnyside, joins Oakville ex-pats Carson Gale and Colin Murphy. Hosted by comedian Peter Cianfarani, the show starts 8 p.m. Tickets cost $5 -- available at www.oakvilleimprov.com. Oakville Improv will also be offering its free, drop-in workshops the next two Mondays (Dec. 15 and Dec. 22) at the Central Baptist Church, 340 Rebecca St. Those who attend are asked to bring in a non-perishable food donation for the Kerr Street Ministries' food bank. General $8.50 | Children & Seniors $6.50 | All seats Tues $5.00 Annie (PG) Thu: 7:00 ShOWTiMES fOR DECEMbER 12 - 18 The hobbit: The battle of the five Armies 3D (PG) Wed - Thu: 9:40 big hero 6 (PG) Fri - SaT: i:i0, 3:30, 6:30, 8:50 Sun: 3:30, 6:40, 8:50 Tue: 1:10, 3:30, 6:30, 8:50 The hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 (PG) Fri - Sun: i:30, 4:15, 7:00, 9:30 Mon: 1:30, 4:15, 7:00 Tue - Wed: i:30, 4:15, 7:00, 9:30 Thu: i:30, 4:15, 9:30 Nikon D3300 Black DSLR with 18-55mm VR II Lens Striking images, even in low light, all in a remarkably compact body. birdman (14A) Fri- SaT: 3:40, 9:30 Sun: 9:30 Mon: 3:40 Tue - Thu: 3:40, 9:30 $ webcode: NIKKIT547 599 99 $125! Exodus: Gods and Kings (PG) Fri - Tue: 12:45, 3:45, 6:40 Wed - Thu: 12:45, 3:45, 6:40, 9:40 Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (PG) Thu: 7:00, 9:15 Save Exodus: Gods and Kings 3D (PG) Fri - Tue: 9:40 Penguins of Madagascar (G) Fri - Sun: 1:00, 3:15, 6:50, 9:00 Mon: i:00, 3:15 Tue -Wed: i:00, 3:15, 6:50, 9:00 Thu: 1:00 - 3:15 FUTURE SHOP CORRECTION NOTICE NEWSPAPER RETRACTION FOR THE FUTURE SHOP DECEMBER 5 CORPORATE FLYER Please be advised in the December 5 flyer, page 28, the Breville espresso maker (WebID: 10127927) was incorrectly advertised with a "free $35 gift card" offer. The gift card offer should be advertised with the Cuisinart 5.5 Quart Stand Mixer (WebID: 10096704). We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our valued customers. Henry's Holiday Bundle includes a Nikon Remote Control and a Nikon Wireless Mobile Adapter. A $95 value! The hobbit Marathon Monday deceMber 15Th only Visit us online at henrys.com/stores to find one of our locations near you Quantities limited. Prices and offers valid from December 10 - 24, 2014. Errors and omissions excepted. The hobbit: The battle of the five Armies (PG) Wed - Thu: i:00, 3:50, 6:45 Whiplash (i4A) Fri - SaT: 1:20, 7:10 Sun: 7:10 Mon - Thu: 1:20 - 7:10 171 Speers Road, Oakville (at Kerr St.) | 905-338-6397 (MEWS) www.film.ca