March 26, 2023 #1 Local News, Forum, Information and Event Source for Venice Beach, California.

Venice Teen Lilly Olvera To Dance Dew Drop Fairy In Westside Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”

Several Venice students also perform at The Broad Stage, opening  Nov. 27.

Venice resident Lilly Olvera (17) has earned one of the starring roles of the Dew Drop Fairy in Westside Ballet of Santa Monica’s upcoming production of “The Nutcracker,” opening Thanksgiving Weekend at The Broad Stage.

Although Olvera has been dancing with Westside Ballet since she was 4, ballet has not always been easy for Olvera, a junior at New West Charter High School in Santa Monica. 

“As one of Westside Ballet’s advanced dancers, the schedule can be very demanding,” says Olvera. “I’ve struggled with several health issues such as POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) as well as chronic migraines. To manage the rigorous hours and demands on my body, I’ve learned to keep in shape and up to speed on cardio training even during breaks, as well as keeping a healthy diet. 

“Being able to come back to the studio has had such a positive impact on me. The pandemic greatly affected my life and those around me so being able to return to not only something familiar but also something that has brought me so much happiness over the years is extremely encouraging.”

Venice resident Lilly Olvera rehearses for her Dew Drop Fairy role at Westside Ballet studios. (Photo: Todd Lechtick)

The longest-running SoCal Nutcracker, Westside Ballet’s 2021 production features seven other young dancers who reside or go to school in Venice: Heath Olvera, Lily’s brother, a fourth-grader at Ocean Charter School, performs as Fritz, the main character Clara’s naughty brother; Ezra Galambos, a freshman at Venice High School World Languages and Global Studies Magnet, will perform as a Flower, while also understudying for the roles of Snowflake and Peppermint; Twin sisters Francisca and Isabel Bugacov, both freshman at New West Charter High School, will perform in a number of advanced roles – Center Chinese Duet, Snowflake, Flower, Mirliton, and Spanish; Lucy Dehnert, an eighth-grader at New Roads School, performs the Russian dance; Archer Anderson, a sixth-grader at Paul Revere Middle School, is a Victorian Party Girl;  and Ella Abramson, a fourth-grader at Canyon Charter Elementary School, will perform as a Snow Fairy and Blue Soldier.

Galambos claimed she was motivated to become a dancer after watching ballet and dance films at the home of her great-grandmother Joan Bayley, who taught dance at Westside.

“I can’t imagine my life without dancing,” said Galambos. “I would get so bored. I love ballet because it always challenges me. No matter how hard I work and practice, there is always room for improvement. Ballet has helped teach me discipline and time management.”

Francisca Bugacov likes the emphasis on artistic expression at Westside: “It isn’t always about the technique; it is about the artistry and the style you pair with that technique.”

The students share the stage with professional dancers, such as Principal Guest Artist Chasen Greenwood, as the Cavalier to the Sugar Plum Fairy (Santa Monica native Daniella Zhou in her professional debut). Greenwood was featured in Dancer Magazine as “one to watch.”

On Giving Tuesday, Nov. 30, Westside will release rehearsal footage previews on its social media channels. 

Westside Ballet will be implementing a mandatory vaccination and mask policy.

More Info & Tix: westsideballet.com/Nutcracker

Related Posts

Proposition 22 Upheld as Court Allows Uber, Lyft to Treat Drivers as Contractors

March 24, 2023

March 24, 2023

Proposition 22 exempted ride-share companies from certain labor laws, court rules in favor of the companies By Sam Catanzaro ​​A...

Laguna Niguel Man Accused of Swindling $1.6 Million From Investors, 92-Year-Old Playa Del Rey Resident

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

Federal lawsuit alleges John David Gessin used false pretenses to fund lavish expenses By Sam Catanzaro A Laguna Niguel man...

Vote This Sunday in the Venice Neighborhood Council Election!

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

Vote in-person at the Oakwood Recreation Center, 767 California Avenue. Polls open at 10:00 AM By Nick Antonicello  VENICE –...

Do You Think Outdoor Dining Should Be a Permanent Option? Take the Survey and Share Your Opinion

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic drastically changed the way we live our lives, and one of the most significant impacts has been...

California Lawmaker Proposes Bill to Offer Relief to Restaurants Struggling With Outdoor Dining Fees

March 22, 2023

March 22, 2023

Legislation would preempt local ordinances and preserve regulatory flexibility for struggling neighborhood restaurants By Sam Catanzaro A new bill proposed...

Venice Shorts: Running Unopposed, Nico Ruderman’s Deep Dive Into Politics and Government Continues!

March 22, 2023

March 22, 2023

By Nick Antonicello VENICE – It has been an interesting two years of political action, involvement and advocacy for Nico...

Venice Shorts: One-on-One With VNC Presidential Candidate Brian Averill

March 21, 2023

March 21, 2023

Avid surfer, author and photographer makes second try for the VNC’s top spot after falling short in 2021 By Nick...

Los Angeles Institutions Offer Free Admission to LAUSD Students During Strike

March 21, 2023

March 21, 2023

Natural History Museum and La Brea Tar Pits provide free admission during three-day strike, Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens...

LA Sanitation & Environment Hosts Community Celebration Inaugurating Venice Dual Force Main Sewer

March 20, 2023

March 20, 2023

Two-mile long 54-inch force sewer main will operate as a parallel system in conjunction with the existing 48-inch force main...

LAUSD Families Prepare for Potential Three-Day Strike Starting Tuesday

March 20, 2023

March 20, 2023

Union representing workers, including custodians, cafeteria workers, teacher assistants and other support staff have voted to walk off the job...

LAPD Investigates Shooting in Palms After Man Dies from Multiple Gunshot Wounds

March 20, 2023

March 20, 2023

Andrew Conaway arrested in connection to March 16 shooting The Los Angeles Police Department’s West Bureau Homicide Detectives are investigating...