Featured Dancers

Rosie Caldwell – Clara

Also: Snow, Waltz

Rosie, a dancer of six years, began dancing with the Looking Glass Studios in San Bernardino, and three years ago came to the Lake Arrowhead School of Dance. This is her second year in The Nutcracker, and she is looking forward to performing in the role of Clara.

In 2002 Rosie attended the two-month Joffrey Ballet summer intensive in New York City. In 2003 she went to Salt Lake City for Ballet West’s summer program.

Josh Switzer – The Nutcracker Prince

Also: Arabian, Toy Soldier

Josh Switzer began his training under the direction of Sharon McCormick and Raymond Genato in 1996 at the Lake Arrowhead School of Dance. He has studied various forms of dance, including ballet, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, modern, and contemporary.

During the summer of 2002 Josh attendend The Rock School in Philadephia, Pennsylvania on a full scholarship. He loves the stage, and has appeared in a number of musicals and dance recitals. This being his seventh year in The Nutcracker, Josh feels honored to share the stage with such “talented beings.” He says, “Thank you, everyone!

Jakob Basham – Fritz

Also: Soldier

Jakob began dance lessons with Sharon McCormick at the age of 8½. In the past two Nutcrackers he has been a soldier and Fritz’s friend. Jakob has really enjoyed playing Fritz this year opposite Rosie Caldwell as Clara. Jakob’s favorite sports are baseball and ballet. He hopes to one day play the Nutcracker or Mouse King.

Marge Jewell – Frau Stahlbaum

Also: Narrator, Rehearsal Director

Marge has been performing in The Nutcracker for the past twelve years, both in San Bernardino and Lake Arrowhead. She received her dance training from Sharon McCormick, and has danced in productions of Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel, La Boutique Fantasque, and La Fille Mal Gardee. Her favorite role is that of Clara and Fritz’s mother in The Nutcracker, which has become an important part of her Christmas season, as well as a family activity, involving her two daughters, Madeline and Stephanie. When she is not dancing, she is “Doctor Marge” — greatly loved as a pediatrician.

Ron Wogen – Herr Stahlbaum

Ron began work with the Lake Arrowhead Ballet Company in its production of La Fille Mal Gardee. He later played the grandfather in Peter and the Wolf. Ron has played the role of Dr. Stahlbaum, Clara and Fritz’s father, in several of the past seasonal performances of The Nutcracker. Ron is a member of the contemporary Christian band “Shine”. He is an educator at Lake Arrowhead Elementary.

James Ferranti – Herr Drosselmeyer

Jim is an educator and dances for enjoyment. He has appeared in the Lake Arrowhead Classical Ballet Company’s production of The Nutcracker since the very beginning. This is his eighth year as Drosselmeyer.

James Perry – Mouse King

James is a financial advisor and a former naval aviator. He studied sabre at the Westside Fencing Center in Los Angeles under the direction of Michael D’Asaro. He has starred in numerous musicals and theatrical productions and was a soloist with the Naval Air Training Command Choir. He has also been a featured performer with the Rim Festival Chorus in Lake Arrowhead and appeared as Elvis in Eclectica ’97. This is his fourth appearance in the role of Mouse King.