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A “magical” evening is planned for those who will attend “The Nutcracker” shows this Saturday (Dec. 9) and Sunday (Dec. 10) at the Wright Auditorium on East Carolina University’s campus in Greenville.  

Audience members from Beaufort County may recognize one of the dancers, Blounts Creek resident and Southside High School senior, Kennedy Hawkins. She will perform in the Chocolate (Spanish) dance and as a member of the Mirliton corps, Waltz of the Flowers corps and Snow corps. 

Hawkins is a student at Dance Arts Theatre, a pre-professional program founded by the North Carolina Academy of Dance Arts in Greenville.  For 31 years, Dance Arts Theatre has delighted audiences with performances of the classic Christmas ballet. 

For those who have yet to see “The Nutcracker,” Hawkins and her dance instructor, Julie Edwards, say the combination of ballet dancers, “spectacular” set designs, colorful costumes and live music from the Eastern Symphony Orchestra is both “magical and dynamic.”

In this year’s performance, there will be 125 dancers from Dance Arts Theatre whose ages range from 6 to 18 years old. Guest dancers from Carolina Ballet and East Carolina University’s Theatre program will join them. 

Hawkins began dance lessons at the age of five at Dance Arts Theatre.  Several years later she started dancing in “The Nutcracker” earning larger roles each year. 

Edwards has taught Hawkins for a number of years and is assisting with her choreography for this weekend’s shows. Dancers, including Hawkins, have been practicing daily since the last week of October. 

Dancing in “The Nutcracker” is a “fun” experience, Edwards said and added that part of the fun is seeing fellow dancers succeed in their roles. “You want to see everybody excel and you’re happy for everybody when they do,” she said.

Hawkins added that she enjoys “everything” about performing in the shows including peering out into the crowd to see her family. 

This year’s performance is bittersweet for Hawkins, because it could be her last in “The Nutcracker,” because she plans to attend college next fall.  

Though high school seniors at Dance Arts Theatre may take different education and career paths after graduation, Hawkins said their family-like bond will bring them back together and stay close. 

“I know that because of how strong of a family we are, how long we’ve been together that we’re always going to keep in touch,” Hawkins said. 

Hawkins attended daily rehearsals and practices while juggling homework and extracurriculars. She is a dual-enrollment student at Beaufort County Community College and plans to pursue an undergraduate degree in biochemistry and a graduate program for dental school. 

Net proceeds from “The Nutcracker” will go to ECU Health Maynard Children’s Hospital, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and the ECU Health Foundation. According to Dance Arts Theatre, they have been able to contribute more than $320,000 to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals over the last 31 seasons. 

On Saturday, Dec. 9 there will be a matinee performance of “The Nutcracker” at 2 p.m. then an evening performance at 7 p.m. On Sunday, Dec. 19, there is a matinee performance at 2 p.m. Tickets are $40 for adults, but $34 for youth. To purchase tickets, go to   https://ecuarts.evenue.net/

Door sales begin 45 minutes prior to curtain.