Ellianna Garren, a kindergartener at Fonda-Fultonville Elementary School, has been cast to dance in this year’s Melodies of Christmas performance at Proctors Theater Dec. 19-22.
“I’m a teddy bear!” Garren said proudly of her role. “I have a real teddy bear costume with a hat and gloves. I’m the only girl bear, and I’m the mama bear.”
The show features the ESYO Symphony Orchestra and Youth Chorale, with special guests The McKrell’s, Grand Central Station and The Northeast Ballet and Orlando’s School of Dance. Garren is a third year dance student with Orlando.
“At first, when I found out I got the part, I was scared, but I have been practicing and doing really well, so I’m excited,” Garren said.
Proceeds of the annual show, now in its 40th year, benefit the Melodies Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at the Bernard and Millie Duker Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center.
If you can’t make it to the show, you can watch Garren in the CBS 6 production broadcast on Christmas Day, Wednesday, Dec. 25 at 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.