Students Shine in Memphis Holiday Productions

The holiday season is in full swing, and several members of our St. Agnes–St. Dominic community are helping bring Christmas magic to stages across the city. From the elegance of The Nutcracker to the charm of A Christmas Carol, these performers are sharing their talents with the Memphis community.

Lighting Up the Orpheum Stage in Ballet Memphis’ The Nutcracker

Four St. Agnes students will be dancing on the stage at the Orpheum December 12-14 in Ballet Memphis’ production of The Nutcracker —an annual favorite for families.

Seniors Holland Gossett and Grace Togbo are joined by 8th graders Josephine Bolton and Eleanor Weems in this timeless Christmas classic. The students have all put in countless hours over the last six weeks preparing for the show. Holland will be dancing in the role of a Market Girl for the second year in a row, and Grace will perform as both a Market Girl and Cotton Candy. Eleanor also plays a Market Girl and Josephine is a Tin Soldier. 

Each of these young ladies are veterans having performed in the ballet before. Holland has spent nearly five years training with Ballet Memphis and has performed in The Nutcracker every year since age four with Ballet Memphis and her previous company, and this year marks Grace’s fifth Nutcracker appearance. Eleanor has been dancing with Ballet Memphis for 11 years and this is her fourth Nutcracker performance. Josephine has been with Ballet Memphis for over eight years, and this will be her second time performing in the Nutcracker. 

Bringing Dickens’ Classic to Life at Theatre Memphis

Theatre Memphis’ long-running production of A Christmas Carol features performances by two of our students. St. Dominic 7th grader Jim Patterson returns for his fourth year in the production taking on the role of Cobbey. St. Agnes 6th grader Sadie Glaser, who celebrates her fifth year in the cast, is performing multiple roles as Turkey Boy and Belinda Cratchit—both parts she has played before.

Spreading Christmas Cheer through Song

Other students are bringing Christmas cheer with vocal performances. SAA 5th Grader Arianna Bailey will be at Peabody Hotel on December 19th performing Christmas solos with a group from Visions Academy.  Our Upper School vocal group, Ladies First, recently entertained the women of the Josephine Circle at their annual Christmas luncheon and will perform for the Madonna Circle later this month. 

Christmas Magic with Madonna Learning Center at the GPAC

Katie Olsen and Elisabeth Ann Neel, both faculty members at SAA-SDS through Madonna Learning Center’s Monarch Adult program, are appearing in Madonna’s annual Christmas play. The program began in 1969 to thank the community for their support, and it has grown into a much-anticipated show that sells out every year. This is Katie’s 20th year to be involved in the Christmas play and Elisabeth Ann’s 25th year. And this year the show has another SAA-SDS connection - it is being co-directed by Ann Neal, retired SAA Theatre Director.

“There is nothing better than watching a student, who was once quiet and timid, find their home on the stage or even behind beautiful artwork, whether at SAA-SDS or within the Memphis community,” said Gabby Morris, SAA-SDS Theatre Director. “We have so many incredible students who entertain us in programs around the city, and it solidifies the fact that God has given us talents that should be shared. By sharing our talents with others, we truly fulfill the Four Pillars of Service, Community, Study, and Prayer.”

We are so proud of all these individuals for their dedication and the joy they bring through their performances.  Make plans now to attend one of these wonderful Christmas productions. The Madonna Learning Center program is sold out, but tickets are still available for The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol. See the links below. 

Ballet Memphis’ The Nutcracker - December 12-14 at The Orpheum  https://balletmemphis.org/nutcracker

 A Christmas Carol - December 5-23 at Theatre Memphis   https://theatrememphis.org/shows/a-christmas-carol-25-2/