SANFORD, Fla. – A Seminole County dance studio is trying to keep their holiday spirit alive after the owner says a Grinch stole their trailer filled with props for their upcoming performance.
Sheri Metcalf is the owner of Xtreme Dance Studio in Sanford. She tells News 6 someone stole the trailer last Friday that was filled with props and stage sets for their show, "The Nutty Nutcracker."
"It sets us back. All those props that we have gained and gathered and created and made and embellished throughout the 11 years are now gone," Metcalf said. "It's disheartening."
Metcalf said the trailer is usually locked and parked behind the studio. Inside the trailer, the studio stored Christmas trees, large boxes painted like presents and decorations to turn the theater into a winter wonderland.
"It's just an unthinkable thing that should not have happened," Kristin Day, a parent of one of the dancers, said.
Dancers have been rehearsing since August for the show. It's a fundraiser for Base Camp, a non-profit that helps kids w/ cancer @news6wkmg pic.twitter.com/Z2YE5jfrgY
— Amanda Castro (@AmandaNCastro) October 25, 2017
"They took away a huge, huge, huge process and step for a production that we do that gives back to a community and so many families that need it," Metcalf said.
Metcalf said the show isn't only a holiday tradition, but it is also an opportunity to teach the dancers how to use their talents to give back to the community.
The studio raises almost $10,000 every year and donates the proceeds to Base Camp Children's Cancer Foundation.
"These program funds are so integral and so impactful," Base Camp President Terri Jones Robbins said. "My heart sunk. I thought, 'I cannot believe this is happening to us, to our community partner.'"
Metcalf and parents say they believe in the Christmas spirit and hope whoever stole the trailer will return it.
"Just bring the stuff back. You don't need the stuff. You're not putting on a production, we are. Just bring our stuff back," Day said.
Metcalf added that despite the setback, the show must go on.
"We will get through this and we're going to work harder and we're going to make it happen," Metcalf said. "Hopefully, we can still raise enough money and still be able to give Base Camp a nice check."
The Seminole County Sheriff's Office is investigating the trailer theft. Metcalf tells News 6 that deputies are reviewing any surveillance video captured by cameras on nearby stores to see if they can identify the thief.
Metcalf says parents are now working in overdrive to collect donations, as well as build new sets and props.
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. Visit http://www.xtremedance.net for ticket information.