Inside the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District Performing Arts Center, a battle is raging as soldiers confront the forces of the Rat King—or at least pretend to.
Breaking the illusion, show director Illiana Cantu is just off stage calling out instructions to her army of mice, composed of LHM Fine Arts Academy second and third-graders, to mime scratching at the soldiers.
The battle is just one scene of many to run through as the cast goes through rehearsal Dec. 13 for their second annual joint production of the beloved Christmas ballet “The Nutcracker” opening Dec. 15.
Clara (Ashley Middler) holds up the wooden nutcracker as she dances with joy Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022 during rehearsal for the joint production of the ballet “The Nutcracker” by Harlingen Performing Arts Conservatory, LHM Fine Arts Academy and Gutierrez Middle School of Arts & Sciences at the HCISD Performing Arts Center. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)The Rat King (Maven Hardwich) and the Nutcracker (Avery jansen) face off Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022 during rehearsal for the joint production of the ballet “The Nutcracker” by Harlingen Performing Arts Conservatory, LHM Fine Arts Academy and Gutierrez Middle School of Arts & Sciences at the HCISD Performing Arts Center. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)Clara (Ashley Middler) practices under the eye of show director Illiana Cantu Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022 during rehearsal for the joint production of the ballet “The Nutcracker” by Harlingen Performing Arts Conservatory, LHM Fine Arts Academy and Gutierrez Middle School of Arts & Sciences at the HCISD Performing Arts Center. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)Lilly Lamon, the Sugar Plum Fairy, hand sews her ribbons onto her pointe shoes Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022 during rehearsal for the joint production of the ballet “The Nutcracker” by Harlingen Performing Arts Conservatory, LHM Fine Arts Academy and Gutierrez Middle School of Arts & Sciences at the HCISD Performing Arts Center. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)Avery Jansen and Maven Hardwich practice their swordfight as the Nutcracker and the Rat King Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022 during rehearsal for the joint production of the ballet “The Nutcracker” by Harlingen Performing Arts Conservatory, LHM Fine Arts Academy and Gutierrez Middle School of Arts & Sciences at the HCISD Performing Arts Center. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)The mice army practices their scratching movements Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022 during rehearsal for the joint production of the ballet “The Nutcracker” by Harlingen Performing Arts Conservatory, LHM Fine Arts Academy and Gutierrez Middle School of Arts & Sciences at the HCISD Performing Arts Center. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)Lianah Robles waits for her cue in the wings to enter as the Snow Queen Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022 during rehearsal for the joint production of the ballet “The Nutcracker” by Harlingen Performing Arts Conservatory, LHM Fine Arts Academy and Gutierrez Middle School of Arts & Sciences at the HCISD Performing Arts Center. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)The corps de ballet practice their routine as snowflakes Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022 during rehearsal for the joint production of the ballet “The Nutcracker” by Harlingen Performing Arts Conservatory, LHM Fine Arts Academy and Gutierrez Middle School of Arts & Sciences at the HCISD Performing Arts Center. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)Fake snow falls from the rafters as Snow Queen (Lianah Robles) is lowered by the Snow King (Jason Williams) back to the stage floor Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022 during rehearsal for the joint production of the ballet “The Nutcracker” by Harlingen Performing Arts Conservatory, LHM Fine Arts Academy and Gutierrez Middle School of Arts & Sciences at the HCISD Performing Arts Center. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)The corps de ballet move across the stage floor as snowflakes Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022 during rehearsal for the joint production of the ballet “The Nutcracker” by Harlingen Performing Arts Conservatory, LHM Fine Arts Academy and Gutierrez Middle School of Arts & Sciences at the HCISD Performing Arts Center. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)The Sugar Plum Fairy (Lilly Lamon) and the Cavalier (Jason Williams) perform the pas de deux Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022 during rehearsal for the joint production of the ballet “The Nutcracker” by Harlingen Performing Arts Conservatory, LHM Fine Arts Academy and Gutierrez Middle School of Arts & Sciences at the HCISD Performing Arts Center. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)Kennedy Reininger and Samantha Santillana wave fans as they perform the “Chinese Tea” dance Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022 during rehearsal for the joint production of the ballet “The Nutcracker” by Harlingen Performing Arts Conservatory, LHM Fine Arts Academy and Gutierrez Middle School of Arts & Sciences at the HCISD Performing Arts Center. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)Maven Hardwich leaps into the air as he performs the “Russian Dance” Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022 during rehearsal for the joint production of the ballet “The Nutcracker” by Harlingen Performing Arts Conservatory, LHM Fine Arts Academy and Gutierrez Middle School of Arts & Sciences at the HCISD Performing Arts Center. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)Dew Drop (Morgan Jones) and the corps de ballet perform the “Waltz of the Flowers” Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022 during rehearsal for the joint production of the ballet “The Nutcracker” by Harlingen Performing Arts Conservatory, LHM Fine Arts Academy and Gutierrez Middle School of Arts & Sciences at the HCISD Performing Arts Center. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)The show’s dancers perform the “”Final Waltz and Apotheosis” Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022 during rehearsal for the joint production of the ballet “The Nutcracker” by Harlingen Performing Arts Conservatory, LHM Fine Arts Academy and Gutierrez Middle School of Arts & Sciences at the HCISD Performing Arts Center. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)
