SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – A Seminole County dance studio said the show will go on after a Grinch stole all of the props and decorations they planned to use in their big holiday production, thanks to community members who came together to get results for the dancers.
Dancers were taping, twirling and leaping during rehearsal Saturday morning at Extreme Dance Studio for this year’s performance of "The Nutty Nutcracker."
The performers were working even harder this year, after the major setback came when someone stole their trailer filled with everything they needed for the performance, which studio owner Sheri Metcalf said took years to put together.
"We've been building these sets and supplies for 10 years and we're trying to get it all back together in ... four weeks,” Metcalf said.
But the community decided that not letting the show go on wasn’t an option.
After News 6’s story aired last month, Metcalf said the dancers have received so much support and donations.
"We've had Christmas trees donated. We've had decorations for the trees and garland,” Metcalf said. “It's coming along."
Even a local Home Depot contributed to the Christmas spirit by donating plywood and other supplies so volunteers could build new props and sets.
Metcalf said that because of how fantastic the community has been, she’s hopeful the dancers’ hard work will pay off and knows the show will end up being great.
The show is not only a holiday tradition at the studio, but it’s also a fundraiser for Base Camp, a nonprofit children's cancer organization that raises almost $10,000 each year.
Terri Jones, president of the organization, said she hasn’t lost confidence in what the performance will bring.
"We know it's going to be a wonderful success and, gratefully, it may even be a bigger success than it was," Jones said.
Metcalf said the dancers refuse to let a Christmas Grinch steal their holiday spirit, or their show.
If you would like to donate any materials or volunteer your time, you can call Xtreme Dance Studio at (407) 330-7002 or email xtremedance@msn.com.
The performance of "The Nutty Nutcracker" is scheduled for Dec. 9 at 3:30 p.m. at Lake Mary High School. Click here for ticket information.