Kingwood Ballet Stages 42nd Nutcracker in December

Kingwood Ballet will hold its 42nd annual Nutcracker performances on Dec. 5-6.

The nonprofit pre-professional dance company operates out of Stacey's Dance Studio in Kingwood and is co-directed by Kelly Agnew, Trish King, Anoushka Miranda and Kerri Hawk. Classes cover ages 5-18 and include classical ballet technique, pointe, yoga and contemporary dance. Agnew said ballet builds determination and resilience regardless of whether students pursue dance as a career. "They fall right in front of you and you're like, 'You okay? Good. Stand up, let's try it again,'" Agnew said. "It's just a tiny little life lesson all in an hour and a half." Miranda said students form close bonds in part because classes are phone-free. "I think it's important that they love being here," Miranda said. "They just love being at the studio."

The company began in 1984 as Kingwood Dance Theater, started by Sheryl Rowland. Agnew said Rowland wanted to offer local audiences professional-level performances at prices below what professional companies typically charge, and to give local dancers access to strong classical training. King said the directors share an interest in what dance draws out of students: "We all love to dance, and we also all love seeing what dance can inspire in each student."

Agnew said drawing audiences to ballet takes work. "Convincing people that [ballet] will be entertaining is always, I think, a little difficult because it's an old-fashioned art form," Agnew said. "So, helping to keep it current is always something we work on."

Kingwood Ballet's winter and spring seasons include community performances, fundraisers and other events. The December program will pair the nonprofit's dancers with professional performers. The company's annual storybook shows will include The Little Mermaid next spring, its first time staging that title.

Agnew said the directors recruit volunteers for shows, particularly people who can make costumes, run lighting or paint sets. The public can also attend performances and fundraisers including Sugar Plum Tea and the Ballet Gala.