The Nutcracker coming to RRHS

The Nutcracker is coming to Rio Rancho High School Performing Center.

On Dec. 9-10, Dance Sparrow Production will be bringing the beloved holiday ballet to Rio Rancho with showings at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. both days.

“It’s very important to us as we explore venues for potential performances that it stays here in Rio Rancho to promote the city, to keep the tax dollars here, to give families something to come and celebrate here,” said James Smith, Sparrow Dance Productions owner and director of operations.

The official name of the show is “The Nutcracker and The Land of The Sweets Trading Company,” and rehearsals are currently in full swing at Sparrow Dance Productions.

“We are Rio Rancho’s largest arts organization; we provide dance classes for youth as well as adults. We are a conservatory of the arts,” Smith said. “Come out and see it. It is the City of Vision’s Nutcracker, and we invite the community to come see what we have been working so hard on.”

The role of Clara is being played by Ask Academy student Hailey Lucero.

“If you want to come out and see it, please do. We would love for you to be in our audience,” Lucero said. “It’s just nice to perform for people, and you get to see people dance and it’s a whole lot of fun.”

Lucero will also share the stage with her sister, Kylie Lucero, who will be playing a party girl.

And the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy is being played by choreographer, director and owner of Sparrow Dance Productions, Christina Daly-Smith.

Daly-Smith is in her 27th year of ballet and is returning to the stage for the first time since she was attacked by a student at her former job in 2021.

“No matter what life throws at us, ballet is always there, and we do have the power to heal and the power to create our own magic,” Daly-Smith said. “I am proud to get back out there.”

The incident left her with a permanent, traumatic brain injury and severe PTSD. However, she has relearned to dance and is happy to get back on stage.

“There’s been a lot of work that has gone into this show, and I am ready to see it; I am ready to see it on stage,” costume designer Samantha Fletcher said. “There’s a family here; there’s a community here … we’re all in this together.”

To purchase tickets, call Sparrow Dance Productions at 505-985-7947 or email them at sparrowdanceproductions@gmail.com

Tickets can also be purchased in person at 103 Rio Rancho Drive NE Suite D-6 or on show days up to 30 minutes ahead of the scheduled start.