If your shoe falls off, keep dancing.

That's just one lesson that Grace Anderson, 11, has learned - due to experience - in her years of performing at The Fox Theater as part of the cast of "The Nutcracker."

As she recounted some of the unexpected things that can happen onstage, Grace also shared the things she is looking forward to in her fourth season with the production. 

"I really like everything - the audience, the costumes, the routines," she said. "It's all just really fun, especially hanging out with the other dancers backstage."

Amy Anderson, Grace's mom, said her daughter had given soccer a try when she was younger but it didn't seem to be her thing. When she took Grace to attend a ballet recital of a friend, Amy said her daughter leaned over halfway through the first act and said, "Mom, this is my thing."

That was five years ago, and Grace has been involved in ballet ever since. Amy said that while it seemed an intimidating step to try out for The Nutcracker, Grace has always had a drive to push herself to get better.

"She wants to impress her teacher and is very determined to get in her pointe shoes," Amy said. "But the coolest part is seeing how much confidence ballet has given her."

Grace auditioned for this year's show the first weekend of September in front of representatives from State Street Ballet, the company that provides the professional dancers, as well as local rehearsal assistants. 

Emily Grizzell, rehearsal assistant, said students from all over the area and a variety of dance schools audition for parts.

"Children who audition for The Nutcracker and are chosen to perform pick up the choreography quickly and execute the steps while performing with what we call stage presence," Emily said. 

Grace found out that day that she landed a role as a small angel, and weekly practices began in mid-September. Local dancers practice to music on a CD until the week of the show. That's when the State Street Ballet dancers will come to town and join local dancers with live music performed by the Spokane Symphony. 

During rehearsals, Amy said the instructors will often slow down or speed up the CD music to help dancers prepare for how the conductor might direct the music. 

"The dancers develop an ear for how fast or slow the music is, and they have to adjust to that," Amy said. 

Grace said she won't see her costume until the week of dress rehearsals, when costumes are individually tailored to each dancer. Grace said the head pieces change a bit from year to year. 

While there are the hazards that come with ballet - such as being poked with giant hair pins while putting her hair in a bun or the occasional roll of a foot - Grace said she has enjoyed meeting new people, making friends who share her same passion for dance and interacting with professionals. 

In addition to Nutcracker rehearsals, Grace currently takes lessons at Spokane Ballet Studio twice a week. She's appreciated the different instructors she's had, each with their own unique way of teaching. She's learned a bit of French this year, thanks to her current instructor's relaying of instructions in that language.

Grace said she's looking forward to hanging out with her fellow dancers, as well as having a chance to see the professional dancers do their thing when the show comes to Spokane Dec. 3-6.

"We get ready backstage and see all the different costume changes because most people in the company have multiple parts," she said. "They come in, change really fast and run back out. But we also get to interact with them, and they'll ask how we're feeling about the show."

And when it's her turn to take the stage at the beginning of the second act, Grace said the nerves kick in… along with her confidence.

"Right before I go on, I'm not very sure about anything. Do I know the dance? Did I forget? But when I hit the stage, I think, ‘I'm fine. I've got this.'"

• • • 

11

Parents, Mike and Amy Anderson; brother, Grant

Dog, Penny, and cat, Charlotte

"How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (2000 version with Jim Carrey)

Receive new PJs each Christmas that she tries to wear all day

Little angel

• • • 

7:30 p.m. Dec. 3-5 and 2 p.m. Dec. 5-6

Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, 1001 W. Sprague Ave., Spokane

Local dancers will share the stage with 20 professional dancers of State Street Ballet in this 37th production with live music by the Spokane Symphony. For ticket availability and prices: 624-1200