By By KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER
Lifestyles & Features Editor
A Beaufort County dancer is among the featured performers appearing in next weekend’s production of “The Nutcracker,” staged by the N.C. Academy of Dance Arts and Dance Arts Theatre in Greenville.
Katherine Corbett, 14-year-old daughter of Michael and Ursula Corbett of Washington, is cast in the Christmas classic, which will be presented Saturday and Sunday in East Carolina University’s Wright Auditorium.
The Northside High School honor-roll freshman portrays a boy in the party scene, a doll in the battle scene and a snowflake. This is the fourth year she has appeared in “The Nutcracker.”
“Sometimes you get the same part, but this is my first time being a snowflake and a boy,” Corbett said.
The production benefits Children’s Miracle Network, a fundraising program for the Pitt County Memorial Hospital Foundation. Tickets are $25 for children under 18 and $30 for adults.
Corbett began studying with Dance Arts Theatre when she attended a summer camp there in 2006.
“I used to take gymnastics, and my teacher suggested I take dance there,” Corbett recalled. “I went to see the spring recital and I liked what I saw, so I decided to take classes.”
Joining Corbett on stage will be approximately 140 dance students ranging from third-graders to high-school seniors. Among them will be one “Miracle Child” who chooses performing in the show as a special wish.
Also appearing will be Jeffrey Phipps in the role of Herr Drosselmeyer. Phipps is a Washington resident and professor of costume design at ECU’s School of Theatre and Dance. Rounding out the cast are dancers from ECU, the Baltimore Ballet and the North Carolina Ballet. Music is provided by the North Carolina Symphony.
Corbett usually takes dance classes five evenings each week and she said she enjoys the discipline that comes with the art.
“I take ballet, jazz, tap, modern and hip-hop,” she said. “I come home from school, eat dinner and do my homework and then classes start by 5:45 p.m. Sherryl Tipton, the director of the dance studio, is really specific about getting things perfect. She always wants to see it very professional.”
Along with her studies at Dance Arts Theatre, Corbett has traveled to Florida for summer camp with the Sarasota Ballet. She also takes dance classes under Tabitha Oliver at Northside High School.
And while she said she sometimes misses out on some of the usual high-school experiences because of her demanding dance schedule, Corbett said the sacrifice is worth it.
Her dance career has become a family venture, too, according to her mother.
“The moms get together on the weekends starting in October for what we call the ‘Sweatshop,’” Ursula Corbett said with a smile. “Lisa Kannen organizes us into sewing groups, glitzing groups and gluing groups. All the props are made by volunteers. A lot of effort goes into it.”
The fathers aren’t left out, either.
“The dads help out as ushers for the performances,” the elder Corbett said. “They also help set up in the auditorium and help break it all down.”
Dance Arts Theatre has presented “The Nutcracker” since 1985, and the proceeds began benefiting Children’s Miracle Network in 2000.
Cast members and their families raise money for CMN by selling raffle tickets and soliciting donations and advertisements from area businesses, according to Ursula Corbett. To date, nearly $60,000 has been raised.
Locally, Frank’s Pizza is a sponsor and Marabello Pizza &Grill purchased a program advertisement, Corbett said.
Matinee and evening performances of “The Nutcracker” are scheduled for Saturday, and a matinee will be performed Sunday afternoon. For ticket information, call 1-800-ECU-ARTS.