Dancing Into the Christmas Season

Mollie Juniewicz-Skill ‘25 remembers admiring those who were granted the opportunity to play Clara, the main character in the holiday classic ballet The Nutcracker. 

 

“I really looked up to the dancers who played Clara and thought how incredible it would be to, someday, have the chance to perform that role,” said Mollie, a freshman who is also a member of the Dayton Ballet School DBII Senior Company. 

 

After taking her first role in The Nutcracker as a lamb at the age of six, and later on taking roles as a soldier, a rat, an attendant, a party girl, a gingerbread cookie, and Fritz, Clara’s younger brother, Mollie now, at 15 years-old, gets her shot at playing Clara in Dayton Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker, presented by the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance. 

 

“Being Clara is such an honor,” Mollie said. “This year, it’s especially exciting because the part is more challenging as it’s being performed en pointe, meaning the dancers wear pointe shoes. All of the girls in the party scene are also dancing en pointe because they are older and more experienced dancers.”

 

Mollie is one of thirty young dancers from around the Miami Valley who have been selected to be in the production after auditions were held in the fall. She balances this incredible role while also being a member of the CJ varsity women’s tennis team, where she earned all-league and all-area honors.

 

Performances of Dayton Ballet’s The Nutcracker run through December 19 at the Schuster Center in the heart of Downtown Dayton. Showtimes and tickets can be found here. 

 

Mollie is excited for the opportunity to inspire other young dancers as she graces the Schuster Center stage this season, and help bring some holiday joy to all who will attend the shows. 

 

"It means so much to be a part of people's holiday tradition,” said Mollie.