*Menu
Search
Submit
Newsletters
E-Edition
Southeast Missourian

On the Big Stage

Tyler Graef
Saturday, December 14, 2019

Local dancers performed parts of the Christmas classic "The Nutcracker" with professional ballerinas from the visiting Moscow Ballet this week at the Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus. The 30 pint-sized performers, aged 5 to 14, had been practicing since September for the big show, and if the atmosphere backstage before the show was any indication, they were incredibly jazzed to have the opportunity to make a dance dream come true.

  • *
    Ada Buersmeyer, dressed in a mouse costume, laughs backstage while playing with other dancers portraying mice before performing with the Moscow Ballet on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019, at the Southeast Missouri State University River Campus in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
  • *
    Performers stretch backstage while others, dressed as snowflakes, practice math problems before performing with the Moscow Ballet on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019, at the Southeast Missouri State University River Campus in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
  • *
    Margaret Commean, center, draws while fellow dancers look on before performing with the Moscow Ballet on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019, at the Southeast Missouri State University River Campus in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
  • *
    Dancers' ballet shoes are seen during a stretching exercise before performing with the Moscow Ballet on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019, at the Southeast Missouri State University River Campus in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
  • *
    Jaya Gremmels, left, smiles at Jordan David while waiting backstage before performing with the Moscow Ballet on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019, at the Southeast Missouri State University River Campus in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
  • *
    Linden Holmes laughs as fellow dancers feed her a handful of pretzels before performing with the Moscow Ballet on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019, at the Southeast Missouri State University River Campus in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
  • *
    Performers portraying snowflakes dance together before performing with the Moscow Ballet on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019, at the Southeast Missouri State University River Campus in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
  • *
    A performer applies makeup in a small mirror before performing with the Moscow Ballet on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019, at the Southeast Missouri State University River Campus in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
  • *
    Jordan David, center, strikes a pose for friends before performing with the Moscow Ballet on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019, at the Southeast Missouri State University River Campus in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
  • *
    Elayna Perkins, left, dressed in a snowflake costume, gets makeup help from Ava Jones, right, before performing with the Moscow Ballet on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019, at the Southeast Missouri State University River Campus in Cape Girardeau. Elayna Perkins (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)