Cooper Studios Dance Center dancers will bring the magic of “The Nutcracker,” to Iola once again this holiday season. This year the company will have a special guest dancer.
Alec Roth, a professional dancer from Milwaukee, Wis., will perform multiple scenes with the young dancers. Roth, 24, dances in the Quad Cities, a region of four counties in northwest Illinois and Southeastern Iowa.
“Jesse and I go way back. Kristopher Estes-Brown was his teacher and he’s been very helpful to both of us,” Roth said.
Roth has performed “The Nutcracker” 11 years in a row, playing multiple roles.
“In the first act I’m playing a party parent and the snow king,” Roth said. “In the second act I will be doing an Arabian dance with Emily (Weide).”
Roth said the snow scene is his favorite.
“I’ve done Snow King once before. I really like how the snow is falling. It’s beautiful and the music is amazing. It’s really wonderful,” he said.
The company has only had a short period of time to practice with Roth and perfect his scenes.
“I got here on Monday and it’s been kind of a wild ride,” he said. “I normally would have a month to rehearse a show.”
He said dancing with younger dancers is a great learning experience for them.
“I was talking to Jesse and this is a lot of the girls’ first time to partner with a professional,” he said. “It’s a valuable experience for them.”
In a typical year Roth dances in 50 shows with his company. He said he knew he wanted to become a professional dancer at the age of 15. Roth has valuable advice for young male dancers.
“Just do it,” he said. “If people give you trouble for being a dancer don’t even worry about it. Do whatever you want to. You have only to make yourself happy.”
Showtimes for The Nutcracker are at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center. Tickets are $10. The students are under the direction of Jesse Cooper.
Professional joins ‘Nutcracker’ cast
