Local Children Dancing in Purchase Nutcracker

by Leon Schwendener

Editor's note: When the Nutcracker comes to Purchase College this holiday season, among the dancers will be a number of local children – including Leon Schwendener, who enjoys writing as well as dancing.

(December 1, 2005) I love to dance. I always have. There is only one thing that I enjoy even more deeply, and that is being on stage! To perform to billions of excited faces, to be the center of attention, to be the star. That’s what I love. And one of my favorite productions to have a chance dancing on the stage is the “Nutcracker” at Purchase College.

(l-r) Leon Schwendener, Larchmont, Jagger Clark, Purchase and Lily Schwendener, Larchmont perform in the Purchase Dance Corps production of Nutcracker ’05, December 2-4 at The Performing Arts Center.

The first year I performed in the ballet I was a rambunctious mischief maker. Oh, how I loved pulling the girls’ hair. And how I quickly scurried away before they could come after me. That first year was a magical experience. Since then I have always loved to show my talent at the “Nutcracker.” Now it is my second year being Clara’s naughty brother Fritz. The favorite of my dances is the march, where Christina (Clara) and I have the hot spotlight shining brightly on us as we twirl and skip along the stage. But there are some drawbacks in dancing in this wonderful event. You have to give up a lot of your free time to dance in the “Nutcracker.” In this, I mean rehearsal. Although it seems like fun, sometimes rehearsing can be a real bore.

Like watching another group dance.

But our coach Larry says that great dancers learn by watching. And I respect that. It’s still kind of boring.

But now that the performance is nearing, the rehearsing is getting more interesting because at this point in time we are dancing with the college kids! It is quite impressive the way they jump, twirl and flip. Already now I want to be as beautiful and graceful a dancer as they are. I also make many friends with the college students. I am amazed that some of them have only been dancing for a couple of years. What great dancing talents.

This year in the “Nutcracker” I am not going to be all alone, because my sister is going to be a mischief maker! I am wishing her lots of luck and that she shall have the same great experience that I had. I also can’t wait to just get on that stage and dance. For this year I am working on perfection. I don’t want to be okay or good, I want to be perfect. The reason I want to be perfect is because this is my last year dancing in the “Nutcracker”.

(Back, l-r) Lula Klappe, Larchmont, Margot Abrahams, Mamaroneck, (front) Tess Klappe, Larchmont and Talia Mandell, Mamaroneck get ready for the Nutcracker.

Although I have many fond memories dancing in this ballet, next year I want to do something else for a change. I also have grown quite interested in acting. I have been in a couple of performances here and there, but most of all I want to take acting lessons. I still will take dancing lessons, but acting as well. For now I must leave you – the performances are not far off.

- Dedicated to Larry, BJ and Carol

Leon (grade 4) and Lily Schwendener (grade 1) will perform in the Nutcracker on Sunday, December 4 th at 1:00 and 5:00 pm at the Performing Arts Center of Purchase College (SUNY). Luna (grade 4) and Tess Klappe (grade 3) will perform on Saturday, December 3 at 2:00 and 7:00 pm. New York City Ballet stars Ashley Bouder and Jared Angle join the Purchase Dance Corps and local children in “Nutcracker ‘05,” a traditional version of the holiday classic, December 2-4, 2005.

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