Metro School of the Arts' 25th Anniv. of Nutcracker, Dec 14/15

Metropolitan School of the Arts (MSA) is returning to the stage to perform its 25th annual Nutcracker ballet at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center in Alexandria, Va., at 4915 E Campus Dr. on Sat., Dec. 14 and Sun., Dec. 15 at 12 PM and 5 PM on both days. Tickets range from $21 to $35 per person. Buy tickets before Thanksgiving for early bird pricing. Go to www.metropolitanarts.org to purchase tickets.

The performance will feature stunning costumes and elaborate sets. Veronica Quezada, MSA alumnus and part of the International Tour of West Side Story, will play the part of Sugar Plum Fairy, joining a cast of 150 MSA students. Notably, Quezada completed her Advanced 2 RAD (Royal Academy Dance) examination with distinction at MSA. Quezada was an active member of the MSA ballet and jazz companies. She studied ballet at Pointe Park University in Pittsburgh, Penn.

Oliver Green Cramer, returns to perform as Cavalier. Cramer is currently collaborating with the renowned choreographer Twyla Tharp. Joining him is Gabriel Blank, a musical theatre student from The Catholic University, who will perform as the Nutcracker.

Elise Lai, grade 8 and Chloe Coleman, grade 9 will perform as Clara, both exceptional performers on the MSA youth ballet company.

This year's Nutcracker will showcase ballet training highlighted by the MSA Ballet Conservatory lead, Lesley Shearer, an esteemed RAD examiner, and Jacqueline Doherty, founder and director of the MSA youth ballet as well as MSA ballet director of The Nutcracker.

“This Nutcracker promises to be extra special with the combination of exceptionally trained student artists and our traditional majestic costumes that bring these characters to life,” said Jacqueline Doherty, Metropolitan School of the Arts youth ballet artistic director in Alexandria, Va.

As a non-profit organization, Metropolitan School of the Arts relies on the generous donations of sponsors and the community. Metropolitan School of the Arts approach to the performing arts is designed to develop independent, self-motivated and skilled learners. The studio offers a post-high school graduate/gap program as well, for those students who desire an extra year to prepare for admittance into a performing arts university.

ABOUT METROPOLITAN SCHOOL OF THE ARTS (MSA) Alexandria, Va.-based, Metropolitan School of the Arts (MSA), a 501 (c) 3 organization, is a performing arts studio in Alexandria, Va. that’s taught dance, music and theater to more than 10,000 students since 2001. Noted for its world-class instructors, MSA offers high quality performing arts training in a groundbreaking, holistic learning environment that cultivates creativity, builds community and empowers students. Many students from MSA studios go on to perform in prestigious arenas including Broadway, National Tours, The Julliard School, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The Washington Ballet, The American Academy of Ballet, Universal Ballet Academy, The Kirov Ballet, The Hartt School, Marymount University (New York), Ford’s Theater and Mark Morris Dance Company. MSA offers a performing arts academy, a performing arts studio, a youth tap ensemble, a youth ballet, a MetroImprov company, a jazz company, and a musical theatre program, as well as adult fitness and dance. Call 703.339.0444 or visit www.metropolitanarts.org, Facebook or Twitter.