There is nothing like spending time with family for the holidays.

For decades, the Champaign-Urbana Ballet Academy’s performance of “The Nutcracker” has brought families together as they dress up to watch the ballet on stage. And while many may not notice, the organization has also brought family members, particularly siblings, together for the holidays as they practice to perform the classic tale of toy soldiers, mice, ancient spells and dreams coming true.

For 11-year-old Lily Belle Rice and her brother, 6-year-old Shaughnessy Michael, the dream-come-true has been going to ballet practice together, rehearsing at home and performing The Nutcracker on stage when it comes to The Krannert Center for the Performing Arts this weekend.

Within the last year, Shaughnessy Michael watched his sister perform in The Nutcracker and Swan Lake. He knew he wanted to be part of the party, but it took a little encouragement from his big sister to get involved.

She wanted him to experience the magic.

“I think it’s really fun, like especially when I’m on stage and I get to be with my friends,” she said.

“I thought it would be fun if I had a sibling in it.”

Shaughnessy joined the company in September when rehearsals began. A novice, he relied on his sister’s guidance.

The siblings are at different ages and skill levels, so they often practice at different times. But because the Academy is located on the east side of Champaign, their mom, Michelle, often takes them both at the same time.

Lily Belle has not only taken on the responsibilities that accompany being part of the Champaign-Urbana Ballet, but she also looks forward to taking care of her brother, making sure he is ready for practice.

Shaughnessy Michael said she has helped him learn the ballet positions.

Lily Belle said she has also taught him ballet etiquette.

“Don’t go around and scream in class; listen, and if you are not supposed to be on the barre, you should not touch it or hang on it,” Lily Belle said.

The experience has brought the duo closer together.

“We share another thing,” Lily Belle said.

Shaughnessy Michael’s favorite thing to do with his sister is to be chased by the tickle monster.  He also said they share time riding bicycles.

Lily Belle said she really loves to spend the night at her grandparents with her brother and to drive the Go-Cart while they are there.

Lily Belle and Shaughnessy Michael also take their affinity for the ballet home.

“Sometimes we talk about it, like how fun it is,” Lily Belle said. “We listen to the music sometimes.”

“There is a lot of dancing,” Michelle said.

After years of watching his sister perform as a Party Girl, Shaughnessy Michael will fill where she left off as a Party Boy.

His favorite part, the part he enjoyed watching the last three years, is when he pushes one of his peers off a chair.

Lily Belle was promoted to a Junior Company dancer after the C-U Ballet’s spring production.

“(She’s) being kind of humble,” Executive Director Kay Greene said. “It’s a big deal, especially for only 11-years old.”

The promotion means that she is now part of the core group of dancers that are more experienced and make the scenes, like the snow or flower scene, in The Nutcracker visually spectacular. It also means that she has more responsibility to practice on her own at home.

But this week will be full of long nights away from home when the company will put all the final touches on the scenes, bringing the show together for the Thursday night opening.

The kids don’t mind, though. They are looking forward to staying up past their bedtimes and making memories together.

“(Ballet has) been Lily’s passion and I think we’ve all been introduced to the ballet,” Michelle said.

“We’ve all learned a lot and we’ve all learned to appreciate the ballet on a bigger level.”

Michelle also said the family comes together for the shows.

“It’s fun for the family because our wider family can come and see multiple of our kids in it.”

In years past, Roisin, Lily and Shaughnessy’s sister, participated in the C-Ballet Company. This year, Roisin decided to try some other activities.

But Michelle said that another ballerina might be in the making. Her two-year-old, Griffin, is already telling people he is in the show.

When Llly Belle and Shaughnessy Michael talk about the show, Griffin interjects, “I’m a cow!”

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Nutcracker regulars and first-timers alike can ring in the holiday season with this outstanding production that features intricate stagecraft, live orchestration by the Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra, and, as always, the artistry and athleticism of CU Ballet’s extraordinary dancers. 

This time-honored community tradition involves 127 cast members hailing from 18 different communities and 7 counties. From the opening notes of the overture to Clara’s farewell to her Nutcracker Prince, CU Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker has truly become a treasure enjoyed by the entire community. 

St. Joseph’s Emma Hale, Lily Belle and Shaughnessy Michael Rice are part of this year’s production.

Tickets may be purchased at the Krannert Center Box Office at 217/333.6280 or online at KrannertCenter.com. Prices are $48 for an adult, $30 for a student, and $21 for a youth ticket. 

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