Thomas Jefferson High School of Science and Technology senior Laura Quintela, 16, of Oakton, will dance the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Ballet Arts Ensemble of Fairfax’s (BAE) performance of “Nutcracker in a Nutshell” on Saturday, Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall at Northern Virginia Community College’s Alexandria campus at 3001 N. Beauregard St. Performances will also take place on Saturday, Dec. 19 at 3 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 20 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 and are available in advance by calling 703-273-5344. Tickets will also be available at the door.
“This is my 10th ‘Nutcracker’ performance with the BAE,” said Quintela. who studies dance at the Center for Ballet Arts in Fairfax, home of the BAE. “I have performed virtually every role over the years from Russian, to Clara and now the Sugar Plum Fairy.”
This could be Quintela’s final “Nutcracker” performance. She will graduate from Thomas Jefferson in June and then will head off to college to study science. She hopes to become a neurobiologist but says dance will always be an important part of her life.
For more information on “Nutcracker in a Nutshell,” The Center for Ballet Arts or BAE, go to www.thecenterforballetarts.com or phone 703-273-5344.