🎄 Episode two: follow our students in the role of Fritz as they go from studio to stage and experience the magic of The Nutcracker with The Royal Ballet 🎄 In this episode, the students tell us about the character of Fritz and some of the challenges they have overcome in the rehearsal process. | The Royal Ballet School

At 12, Monica Barbaro was cast as “Fritz” in The Nutcracker, sparking her love for performing. Her parents worked long hours to pay for ballet lessons, driving her to rehearsals after school. That mix of discipline and sacrifice carried her from Marin Ballet to NYU, and eventually to Hollywood’s spotlight. | Shoulders of Giants

'Twas the night of The Nutcracker and all through the stage, Not a dancer was resting, not even the young Page. The tutus were hung in the dressing room with care, In hopes that The Nutcracker soon would be there. The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of the Sugar Plum Fairy danced in their heads. And Clara in her nightgown, and Fritz in his cap, Had just settled down for a long winter's nap. When out on the stage, there arose such a clatter, The audience sprang from th