Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Reminder Assistant Editor EAST LONGMEADOW At just nine years-old, Anna Lise Wilkins points, walks, and even fidgets in her chair with the poise and grace of a prima ballerina. As she drank a glass of chocolate milk before a recent dance class, a wide-eyed Anna Lise told the story of landing her biggest role yet, as Clara in the Dec. 16, afternoon performance of The Nutcracker at Springfield's Symphony Hall. "I tried out over the summer and there were more than 140 girls that went into the audition with me," Anna Lise said. As the numbers dwindled down, and almost all of the parts had been doled out, Anna Lise was asked if she'd like to play Clara, the child star of this holiday classic. "Well, I screamed," Anna Lise said about the moment that she was given the role. The staff of the Albany Berkshire Ballet, who produce the ballet every year throughout New England, chose several Claras, one for every city and performance time. Every Saturday, six of them rehearse this challenging role together in Pittsfield. This, on top of an already hectic rehearsal and dance class schedule, has had Anna twirling and pli ing every day of the week (with the exception of Tuesdays) since October 1. Although she is a little weary from the commuting, Anna Lise's mother, Rosanna Fantone Wilkins, beams with pride just talking about it. "She is learning so much and this is just such a neat experience for them," Rosanna said. "When they offer it locally, it's so great because kids get the chance to participate in the performing arts." This will be Anna Lise's fourth year in The Nutcracker, though her previous roles have been much smaller. And while this is only her fourth year of ballet classes, she has big dreams of turning her passion into a career. Someday, she wants to dance with the world-famous American Ballet Theatre of New York City. "I just like it because it makes me really happy because some parts are graceful and it makes you really strong," Anna Lise said about ballet. Anna Lise's strength as a dancer has improved dramatically over the past year, Roseanna said, beginning when she opted to learn the Russian-ballet style of The Massachusetts Academy of Ballet in Holyoke. While no one could be more excited than her mother, father, Michael James Wilkins, and siblings, Marina Rose and Michael James Wilkins Jr., Anna Lise has also created a buzz among her teachers and friends who will be attending the performance. "I'm nervous and excited," Anna Lise said. "I actually get to be Clara onstage, like the star of the show. I'm telling the story." | ||||||
