Heart pounding, legs shaking and breath fast, junior Catherine Wessel walks into the audition room.  She waltzes to the middle of the room, head held high.  Announcing her name, she takes her first position.  The rest of the audition is a blur as she twirls, whirls and leaps across the room.

This year the St. Croix Ballet is performing their 23rd annual Stillwater performance of the Nutcracker at the Stillwater Area High School Auditorium.  Along with Wessel, senior Caitlyn McDermott and senior Emma Franke are also in the ballet.  The three girls are sharing the lead role of Sugar Plum Fairy in this years performance.

“Last year when I auditioned for the part I got this year, I was doing a turn combination diagonally across the floor and I accidently ran into the judges,” said Franke.  For performance auditions, those auditioning go to the studio on a Saturday and perform the dance(s) in front of a panel of judges.  In two weeks, the cast list is posted and practice begins.

Practice is rigorous and these girls have definitely got their work cut out for them.  On a normal Saturday rehearsal, practice can go for as long as six hours.  All three girls have multiple roles but are sharing the lead.  Franke, McDermott, and Wessel all have different audition techniques, but they worked hard and were rewarded for their dedication.

“For an audition I wear my favorite leotard and spend and extra long time getting my hair and makeup perfect.  When I arrive, I warm up with my friends and mark through everything I know for the audition,” said Franke.

“We don’t necessarily prepare for an audition, it’s more about coming to class year round and then you don’t have to worry about last minute “fixes”. The only thing you need to do to prepare is make sure that you do your hair nicely for the auditions, know the dances you are auditioning for, and get sleep,” said McDermott.

With more than 30 years ballet experience between the three, the role of Sugar Plum Fairy has been well cast.  The practice will pay off and the 23rd annual performance of the Nutcracker will be a sight to behold.