Global Dancers Perform in the CO Ballet’s Nutcracker

The Colorado Ballet recently raised the curtain on its 55th annual production of “The Nutcracker.” For the fourth year in a row, dancers from the Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s Be Beautiful Be Yourself Dance Program are part of this beloved holiday tradition.

“We’re excited to have two of our dancers performing once again this year, thanks to our excellent teachers from the Colorado Ballet and Senior Physical Therapist Pat Winders from the Sie Center for Down Syndrome at Children’s Hospital Colorado,” said Allie Winter, Global’s Manager of Health and Wellness Programs. “The teachers motivate our dancers to work hard and reach their potential. The performance allows them to showcase their abilities in front of a passionate audience.”Generations of Colorado families have attended a performance of “The Nutcracker” as part of their holiday celebrations. Each year since 2012, those who have attended select shows have had the pleasure of seeing two or three of Global’s young dancers with Down syndrome show off their talents alongside professional performers and students from the Colorado Ballet Academy.

Spreading the Spirit of the Season

Luke and Staci

This year’s performers, Staci Unrau and Luke Lind, both age 9, participate in Global’s Be Beautiful Be Yourself Dance Program’s Ballet II class, which has continued to expand to include different levels and opportunities for the students to perform in the official production with the Colorado Ballet. In October, Staci and Luke learned they would have the opportunity to dance in “The Nutcracker.” The dancers are selected by representatives from Global, the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Dance Program instructors and the Colorado Ballet.

Eager to get on stage, Staci and Luke spent nearly two months preparing for their roles as children attending the big holiday party scene. Both dancers will participate in a matinee performance of “The Nutcracker” in early December as a rehearsal for their evening shows.

Staci will dance in the evening performance of “The Nutcracker” on Thursday, Dec. 10, and Luke will do the same on Thursday, Dec. 17. Both performances begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Denver Performing Arts Complex’s Ellie Caulkins Opera House.

The Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s health and wellness programs help children with Down syndrome pursue their passions for sports and dance. Please make a gift to support these programs.