Tradition continues with ‘Toy Shelf’

It’s become a tradition in the Spokane Valley during the holiday season.

Dance Theatre Northwest stages its 11th annual performance of “The Toy Shelf” today at Central Valley High School, with performances at 2 and 5 p.m.

“This has really become a Spokane holiday favorite for kids of all ages,” said Academy of Dance artistic director Amanda Nelson.

Dance Theatre is the civic dance company in residence at the Academy of Dance, 14241 E. Sprague Ave. Students from the academy join with guest artists from Ballet Spokane to perform the holiday production.

This season’s guest dancers are Ryan Callan, Jamie McGuire and Patrick DesRosiers, along with three trainees: Natalie Springel, Christina Brunner and Gary VanVoorhis.

Featured in the production will be 18 students from the Academy of Dance, ranging in age from elementary school through 17.

This is the first performance for Nelson as the company’s artistic director.

“I’m a little nervous,” she admitted. “I was a trainee at Ballet Spokane before I took a year off to start my own family.

“It has been so rewarding. We’ve been in rehearsals every Saturday, along with a few weeknights, since the first of October. It’s been amazing to watch this production take shape.”

Nelson is looking forward to watching the performance.

“Through rehearsals you’re always watching for things that need to be done or improved,” she said. “But once you get to the dress rehearsal, you’re pretty much finished. I think I’ll be able to watch and appreciate it for how well it comes together.”

Tickets for the performances are $12 for adults, $8 for children, students and seniors and are available at the door, as well as by calling the Academy of Dance at 922-3023 or 325-SEAT.

The academy is always accepting applications for new students, Nelson said.

“We get quite a few calls from people interested in taking dance lessons,” she explained. “We see a lot of young girls asking for dance lessons for Christmas.”

Especially after seeing a performance of “The Toy Shelf.”

“It does inspire them,” Nelson said.