WCA dance program to present holiday recital

Wayne Center for the Arts’ dance program will present “A Jolly Holiday,” an all-dance recital to celebrate the season on Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. and Dec. 16 and 17 at 2 p.m. The WCA Auditorium will be decked with festive decorations as audience members enjoy pieces from dancers ages 3-14 who will perform in the styles of ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary and hip-hop.

“This is our first holiday recital, as WCA dancers have not historically performed in our off-year for The Nutcracker,” said Brittany Eckstrom, dance coordinator at Wayne Center for the Arts. “‘A Jolly Holiday’ aims to highlight what all of our dancers have been learning in classes this fall while bringing holiday joy to our dance families and community.

“Even our earliest stages of dance — creative movement and pre-ballet — will be twirling in their tutus and sharing their love for dance, friendship and creative learning.”

While visiting the auditorium for the performance, audience members can peruse the Wayne Center for the Arts 50th-anniversary exhibit lining the walls. The exhibit was created to showcase the major milestones in WCA’s history, including its beginnings at The College of Wooster campus in 1973, its move to the historic Walnut Street School in the 1980s and major accomplishments through national programs.

“The exhibit highlights five decades of exceptional arts programming and community involvement,” said WCA Executive Director Sara Brink. “We think the public, especially former students, will like to take a trip down memory lane and look at some of the old memorabilia.”

Tickets for the recital are available online at WayneArtsCenter.org. Tickets are $15 for general seating and $10 for seniors/youth 5 and under. Proceeds from the event will support the Wayne Center for the Arts, specifically to provide scholarships and access to dance programming. The program is presented with support from the Donald and Alice Noble Foundation.