Molly Rodriguez, a senior in high school, was casted for the main role of María in El Alebrije.
El Alebrije is our annual reimagining of the classic Nutcracker ballet with a vibrant Mexican twist! The story follows María, a young girl celebrating her Quinceañera. When her father gifts her a mystical El Alebrije, she embarks on a magical journey across Mexico through a series of dreams, discovering her father’s love despite the distance between them.
This year’s performance involved over 150 A Step Beyond students, aged 8 to 18, along with our student tech crew, parent performers, and countless volunteers. With three total performances held on November 8th and 9th, the show captivated over 1,000 attendees.
“Dance happens in just moments on the stage, but it lives in your heart for your whole life if you let it.” – Roxanne Rojas De Blanco (A quote said before the youth took the stage for the production)
Our El Alebrije puppet was made in partnership with the San Diego Guild of Puppetry.
We are proud to have partnered with Bocón, a youth theater company, to create a culturally resonant script, and with the San Diego Guild of Puppetry, who helped bring stunning, large-scale puppets to life (as shown above). The performance also featured music by Mariachi Champaña Nevin, with choreography, costumes, props, and set design created by the talented staff, students, and volunteers at A Step Beyond.
Throughout the show, elements of Mexican culture were beautifully woven into the performance. Highlights included María’s Quinceañera party, Mama Piñata spilling candies from her skirt, Marzipan and Luchadores segments, a tribute to Frida Kahlo, marigold flowers from Día de los Muertos celebrations, and much more. This unique twist on The Nutcracker showcases the beauty of Mexican culture in a fresh and exciting way.
Mama Piñata with the candies, our 3rd and 4th grade dancers.
If you missed this year’s performance, be sure to check out the professional photos and full production video below. Thank you for supporting our students. We hope to see you at next year’s production as we celebrate once again!
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