Youth Arts in Action Scholarship recipients win roles in 'The Nutcracker'

Youth Arts in Action, a Bozeman based non-profit that awards scholarships to outstanding young artists, announces major roles in this year's "Nutcracker" production have been won by two of its scholarship recipients. Madison Marlow, age 12, was cast in the lead role of Clara after auditioning with over 70 other young dancers. Aspiring ballerinas dream of dancing the role of Clara, the young girl whose gift of a Nutcracker at a festive Christmas party begins an enchanted adventure.

Marlow received the Rising Star Award at Youth Arts in Action's First Annual Fairy Tea for the Arts in April 2006. This award is for the young dancer who demonstrates the grace, stage presence and potential to pursue a more serious study of classical ballet. As well as studying different forms of dance for 10 years, she is a straight-A student at Sacajawea Middle school.

Molly Huemphner, age 15, was cast in the role of the Snow Queen. The Snow Queen adds a regal presence to the "Nutcracker" as she leads her snowflakes in a dance through the Land of Snow. Huemphner is a more advanced dancer who has previously danced the role of Clara and recently attended American Ballet Theatre's Summer Intensive in New York City.

Youth Arts in Action awarded Huemphner the $1,000 Main Street Dance Theatre Award at the Fairy Tea for the Arts. This award is for the dancer who aspires to further their dance training outside the local area, selected from a group of dancers nominated by Main Street Dance Theatre.

The "Nutcracker" will be performed at the Willson Auditorium Dec. 2 and 3.

For scholarship information and tickets for the Second Annual Fairy Tea for the Arts in April, contact Youth Arts in Action at 522-0404.

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