Sanford dance studio puts on holiday show despite having props stolen

Christmas thief stole trailer filled with props, decoration

SANFORD, Fla. – Dancers at a Seminole County studio are putting their holiday performance on Saturday, despite the fact that a Grinch nearly ruined it a couple of months ago.

News 6 first reported that someone had stolen the studio’s trailer, which was filled with props and decorations for the show, two months ago.

Instead of letting a Christmas thief ruin their holiday spirit, the community came together over the course of six weeks to make sure the show went on, and just before it did, News 6 was there for the final preparations.

The hours leading up to the performance were busy as dancers and volunteers worked quickly to turn the auditorium at Lake Mary High School into a winter wonderland.

"We are putting together our brand-new 10-foot Christmas tree,” Xtreme Dance Studio owner Sheri Metcalf said.

The dark stage would soon be filled with props and presents for the "The Nutty Nutcracker" performance.

Metcalf said she never had any doubts that the show would go on, even though they lost everything.

“You're dealt things in life and you have to decide which way you're going to react,” Metcalf said.

And once members of the community stepped in, donating funds, decorations and their time, she was even more sure the curtain would rise.

"There's been a lot of love and joy and positive reinforcement, and this show is too special and too important to not have that energy to get it done because of the fundraiser,” she said.

The performance was not only an annual tradition, but also a huge fundraiser for Base Camp,

a nonprofit children's cancer organization that Metcalf said depends on the studio’s donation.

This year, they hope to raise $10,000. 

“I want to say ‘Thank you,’ from the bottom of my heart. It's almost like you don't have the words to say and ‘thank you’ isn't enough."


Recommended Videos