Westwood's Hertz To Perform In Boston Ballet's "The Nutcracker"

WESTWOOD, MA - Westwood's Cora Hertz, 12, will be performing in Boston Ballet’s production of Mikko Nissinen’s "The Nutcracker" in the roles of Prologue and Page.

Hertz has been a student at Boston Ballet School for seven years. The daughter of Jasmine Lellock and Joshua Hertz of Westwood, she performed the role of lamb twice in "The Nutcracker" in 2018 and 2019. She also performed a leading role in the Thurston Middle School sixth-grade radio play, and she sings and plays several instruments.

"Cora has been doing ballet since she was 18 months, studying at professional companies since age three," said Lellock. "She started at First State Ballet Company, a professional studio in Delaware, and she has been with Boston Ballet since age five. She loves being onstage and performing, especially making people smile."

All children performing in "The Nutcracker" are students of Boston Ballet School and Boston Ballet School’s Professional Division at Walnut Hill and coached by an experienced staff including Boston Ballet Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen, Children’s Rehearsal Director Dalay Parrondo, and Boston Ballet School’s world-renowned faculty.

Students auditioned and started rehearsing for the production in October. They will continue rehearsals through November, which includes rehearsals with company dancers and costume fittings with Boston Ballet’s costume shop. They will experience the unique, backstage atmosphere at the Citizens Bank Opera House through technical and dress rehearsals, as well as performances accompanied by the Boston Ballet Orchestra.

"Participating in a full-length ballet is an important performance opportunity for students, exposing them to aspects of ballet they do not experience in a regular class," said a Boston Ballet spokesperson. "The students learn about the hard work and enjoyment that composes a live ballet performance and have the unique opportunity to dance alongside Boston Ballet’s 63 internationally-acclaimed professional dancers from around the world."

This version of the classic tale, created for Boston Ballet in 2012, is one of the largest builds the company has ever done, engaging craftspeople from across the United States. Award-winning scenic and costume designer Robert Perdziola illustrated more than 40 sketches that were transformed into the production’s larger-than-life sets that range from calm, subtle colors in the Act I party scene to vibrant hues in Act II’s Nutcracker Kingdom.

The production also incorporated more than 350 intricate costumes, designed by Perdziola. Lighting design is by renowned Finnish designer Mikki Kunttu. The Boston Ballet Orchestra, the second-largest musical organization in New England, led by Boston Ballet Music Director Mischa Santora, performs Tchaikovsky’s renowned score.

Mikko Nissinen’s "The Nutcracker" is sponsored by Primark. Additional support is provided by PNC Bank.

"The Nutcracker" opens November 26 at the Citizens Bank Opera House with performances through December 26.