Nutcracker spectacular to start soon

The Nutcracker Spectacular is a show put on annually by Alisa’s Dance Academy and the Westlake music and TEC departments. The first performance is at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 in the Westlake Performing Arts Center. Other times are 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9, 3 p.m. Dec. 10, and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10.

Freshman Lily Scott is dancing the parts of Spanish and Flower.

“We’ve been working since September,” Lily said. “It’s really exciting to perform at Nutcracker in front of everyone.”

The audience can expect to see amazing light effects, put on by Westlake TEC.

“I personally think that the most interesting part of the show is probably the lights,” TEC freshman Meghana Gorti said. “So much goes into making each cue, and it adds so much to each scene.”

Another big part of the show is the music, performed by the Westlake orchestra and band.

“I think that most people will remember the audio because the music is beautiful,” Meghana said. “The audio is mixed specifically for our PAC and fits each dance perfectly.”

The orchestra performs live from under the stage in an area called the pit.

“[The pit] is cramped, dark, loud and hot,” cellist senior Ryan Zhou said. “It builds community, though, because you’re touching the people around you at all times.”

However, four special orchestra members get to play onstage for three pieces.

“My favorite piece when I play onstage is ‘God Rest [Ye Merry Gentlemen]’, because there’s a huge explosion,” Ryan said. “It scares the crap out of everyone.”

All the Eanes elementary schools are invited for a show during school hours Dec. 9.

Tickets to Nutcracker are sold out for all shows except for Thursday, and tickets are available on the Alisa’s Dance Academy website.