July 8, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Westside Ballet Dancers’ Nutcracker Dreams Finally Return to the Broad Stage

Westwood, Century City and WLA residents perform after two long years

Sixteen West LA residents and students share the stage with a total of 67 pre-professional dancers in Westside Ballet of Santa Monica’s production of “The Nutcracker,” which returns to The Broad Stage Thanksgiving Weekend.  Two WLA dancers, Eema Kaye and Lilly Olvera, will dance solo roles.

The longest-running SoCal presentation of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet, Westside’s production has been a beloved Los Angeles classic since 1973, providing the perfect opportunity to introduce children to classical music and dance, and in so doing, showcasing the value of the performance arts––a point considered more poignant than ever after the collective nearly two-year drought of live entertainment and arts events throughout the pandemic. 

West LA student Lilly Olvera rehearses for her Dew Drop Fairy role at Westside Ballet studios. (Photo: Todd Lechtick)

A junior at New West Charter High School, Lilly Olvera (17) has earned the coveted role of the Dew Drop Fairy. “Being able to come back to the studio has had such a positive impact on me,” said Olvera. “The pandemic greatly affected my life and those around me so being able to return to not only something familiar but also something that has brought me so much happiness over the years is extremely encouraging.”

Eema Kaye (14) has trained at Westside Ballet for ten years. Kaye, an 8th grader at Geffen Academy, will be performing the solo role of Center Candy. She will also dance as a Snowflake and Flower in the corps de ballet of the Snow Scene and Waltz of the Flowers.

Century City resident Naya Farrell-Katseanes (12) is in 6th grade at the New Roads School in Santa Monica, and shall be performing the roles of a side Chinese and Party Boy. The last time she was on the Broad Stage in the 2019 Nutcracker, she played a Polichinelle.  In 2018, she was a Snow Fairy. Farrell-Katseanes explains her regime to prepare for the big moment back to the live stage: “To ensure that I stay strong and healthy for ballet, I eat well balanced meals, get a lot of sleep, stretch and take epsom salt baths. I started dancing because I wanted to learn about the art of ballet and learn about other styles such as jazz. I love dancing at Westside Ballet because it keeps me motivated, happy, creative, challenged and athletic.”

Century City residents Bella Shriver (14) and Teralani Galvan (14) join Kaye in the Peppermint Candy dance in the corps de ballet. Westwood resident Zola Maksimovic (12) performs as a side Chinese, Victorian Party Boy, and Red Soldier. Other WLA area students perform in the Victorian Party Scene, the lively Russian dance, as ethereal Angels gliding on clouds, or in the intricately choreographed Battle Scene as Mice or Soldiers.

Century City resident Naya Farrell-Katseanes performing at the Broad Stage as a Snow Fairy, 2018. (Photo: Todd Lechtick)

The students share the stage with professional dancers, such as Principal Guest Artist Chasen Greenwood, who is accompanying the Sugar Plum Fairy (Santa Monica native Daniella Zhou in her professional debut) as her Cavalier. Greenwood was featured in Dancer Magazine as “one to watch” after completing a nationwide tour as a soloist with State Street Ballet.

On Giving Tuesday, Nov. 30, Westside will release rehearsal footage previews on its social media channels. 

Westside Ballet will be implementing a mandatory vaccination and mask policy. 

More Info & Tix: westsideballet.com/nutcracker

Related Posts

Governor Newsom Unveils Fast-Track Rebuilding Plan on Six-Month Anniversary of Palisades Fire

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

State Clears Over 5.5 Billion Pounds of Debris From Fires Ahead of Schedule Marking six months since the devastating Eaton...

Soprano Golda Zahra Returns to BroadStage For a One-Night-Only Musical Celebration

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Hailed as “the rising star of the opera world” by The Hollywood Times, internationally acclaimed soprano Golda Zahra makes her much-anticipated return to BroadStage in...

Transform Your Life: The Free Virtual ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT Debuts July 18-20, 2025

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT, a transformative three-day virtual event, is coming, July 18-20, 2025, offering participants worldwide a free opportunity...

Bel Air and Holmby Hills Estates Lead May’s List of America’s Top 10 Home Sales

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

LA Claims Two of the Top Three Luxury Home Sales Last Month expensive residential transaction in the U.S. for May,...

Developer Seeks to Replace Mid-Century Building With 65 New Units in Palms

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Apartment Complex Near E Line May Be Demolished for Larger Housing Project Mid-century apartments near Metro’s Palms Station are set...

Michael Madsen, Star of Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill, Dies at 67 in Malibu

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Actor Remembered for His Intense Performances and as a Poet  Actor Michael Madsen, known for his distinctive gravelly voice and...

Los Angeles City Council Cracks Down on ‘Disaster Tours’ in Pacific Palisades

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

City Council Bans Commercial Bus Tours in Burn Zone Amid Community Backlash Tour buses that have been operating in fire-ravaged...

Tow Truck Scammers Target Crash Victims Across L.A.: Authorities Warn of Fraud at Accident Scenes

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Officials Urge Drivers to Stay Alert After Collisions as Rogue Operators Demand Inflated Fees  Motorists involved in vehicle accidents are...

Woman Dies After Melrose Store Altercation: LAPD Launches Homicide Investigation

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Critically Injured Young Woman Died July 2, After She was Badly Beaten at Work  The death of a woman critically...

CHP Officer Dies in Culver City Crash: Medical Emergency Suspected Behind Tragic Incident

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Officer lost consciousness while transporting a suspect before crashing into a tree California Highway Patrol Officer Miguel Cano died early...

L.A. Beaches Brace for Holiday Rush: Over 1 Million Visitors Expected This Fourth of July

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

County Officials Urge Beachgoers to Pack Out Their Trash and  Monitor Water Quality More than one million visitors are expected...

(Video) A visit to New York Bagel & Deli in Santa Monica

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Authentic NY Style Bagels with Extra Creamy Cream Cheese and Multi-Cultural Desserts. Located at 2216 Wilshire Blvd. A visit to...

Hot Dogs & Rosé: Something About Her and The Culver Hotel Roll Out Summer Specials

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Westside Venues to Serve Playful Bites and Seasonal Sips For the Holiday Weekend A bold new offering is making its...

NeueHouse Hosts Bold One-Night Dinner With Culinary Phenomenon Diego Argoti

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Acclaimed Chef Brings Culinary Mischief With a Five-Course Tasting Experience. NeueHouse Hollywood will host an exclusive, one-night-only dining event on...

(Video) Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Go To Homefrontbuild.com For More Information @home_front_build Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles Go...