Photo courtesy of Helen Parks

Students Dance in Nutcracker Ballet

Three St. Joseph’s Academy students performed in the Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre’s (BRBT) holiday classic, The Nutcracker: A Tale from the Bayou. Performances were held December 17 and 18 at the River Center Theater for the Performing Arts.

“The whole experience is exciting...” Stephanie Beard '08

SJA senior Helen Parks, junior Ellen Loe and sophomore Stephanie Beard were among this year’s cast.

Parks, who has studied ballet for 12 years, danced the rolls of snow, flowers, lead marzipan and doll in this year’s Nutcracker, which was her 10th. She has studied at Joffrey Ballet San Antonio and the International Ballet Competition School. “Over the past 10 years, I’ve gone from the smallest part in the show to being in the company, an incredible experience,” Parks said. “My favorite part about performing is definitely the girls in the company. They are amazing, and I dance so much better sharing the stage with people I love.”

Loe, who danced the parts of doll, Spanish, snow and flower in this year’s performance, has appeared in eight BRBT Nutcracker productions. She has been dancing for 12 years, studied at the Ballet Austin Summer Intensive and toured with the BRBT Junior Company. “What I most enjoyed about performing was the excitement of being on stage and performing with my friends,” she said.

Beard has performed in seven BRBT Nutcracker productions, including last year’s, when she appeared as Clara. She danced the parts of snow and angel couple in this year’s ballet. She has attended the Ballet Austin Summer Intensive and toured with the BRBT Junior Company for four years. She has been dancing for 10 years.  said of this year’s experience.