An annual First Coast holiday tradition continued on Saturday when the Dance Ministry of Christ Episcopal Church presented Miss Felicia’s 23rd production of “The Nutcracker.”
Held at the University of North Florida’s Lazzara Performance Hall, this year’s production on Dec. 8 was jam-packed with various forms of dance including ballet, tap, hip hop, gymnastics and more. Lead roles in the show included Anya Ragatz as Clara, Emily Reeves as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Trinity Jacobs as the Snow Princess. Nearly 200 people, ranging in age from toddlers to adults, came together to put on the show, which was again produced and directed by Felicia Rhoden.
“It’s always magic to me,” Rhoden said. “It’s never old. It’s always new, after all these years.”
A former professional ballet dancer, Rhoden started the production shortly after she and her husband, Fred, moved to Ponte Vedra. Hearing that Rhoden was a dancer, the former rector of Christ Church, Jim Cooper, called and asked if she would teach ballet to the church’s children. Rhoden started doing so with a few girls and was subsequently inspired to produce “The Nutcracker.”
“It means everything to me,” Rhoden said. “This has been my passion for 23 years, and I’ve watched it grow from the first show at the church in the parish hall with 17 little girls.”
This year’s show proved to be more challenging than usual for Rhoden, however, as her husband, Fred, recently passed away. A seat was dedicated for him in the audience.
What lifts Rhoden up, though, is the fact that the production gives back to those in need, year after year. Beneficiaries of “The Nutcracker” include Dreams Come True, Amistad Orphanage in Bolivia and Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Community PedsCare program.
“I think what makes this ministry so special and what makes this Nutcracker so special is that we do it for children who cannot dance, who are sick,” Rhoden said. “All of the children know that. They’re dancing with love and joy and giving in their hearts. It’s Christmastime. Everybody has that warm feeling. It’s just amazing.”
And even after 23 years, Rhoden is still overcome by emotion by the production and what it means in her life.
“When it does finally come together — and I always stand in the wings, downstage, right wing — I cry with joy and pride,” she said. “I’m very humbled that so many years ago, God gave me this opportunity to work with children in this ministry.”
