Brother and Sister Perform in Tulsa Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”

Louis and Nicolet Copeland, ages 12 and 11, are already seasoned performers, having danced in other Tulsa Ballet productions, as well as dancing for a second year in “The Nutcracker.” Both are students in Bixby public schools. We talked about what it means to them to be young dancers in a professional production.

TulsaKids: How did you get involved in dance? Also talk about why you wanted to audition for Tulsa Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”?

Louis: I was 10, and I asked my mom if I could take ballet. Our whole family went to see “The Nutcracker,” and it inspired us when we saw it. Our friends were in it, and we wanted to do it.

Nicolet: I’ve been coming to Tulsa Ballet for three years. I started out doing hip hop, but classical ballet is fun, and I have friends doing “The Nutcracker,” so I wanted to be in it.

TulsaKids: This is your second year performing in “The Nutcracker” with the Tulsa Ballet. What roles do you have?

Louis: I’m Franz, one of the main kid roles. He’s Clara’s brother. I’m in the first scene at the party.

Nicolet: I’m in the party scene and I’m Pudding Cake. In the party scene, I wear a dress, and as Pudding Cake, I have to run around with a big costume.

Nicolet in costume for last year’s “The Nutcracker.”

TulsaKids: Do you ever get nervous or make a mistake?

Louis: It’s fun to perform. I don’t get nervous. You can’t see the crowd because of the lights. I’ve never made a mistake in “The Nutcracker.”

Nicolet: It’s just fun to be on stage.

TulsaKids: How is it working with professional dancers in the Tulsa Ballet?

Louis: They’re nice. You can apply the corrections they get to yourself.

Nicolet: They talk to you, they’re really nice, and you learn things from them.

TulsaKids: What’s the hardest thing about being in “The Nutcracker”?

Louis and Nicolet both talked about the acting aspect of being in the ballet. They both feel that facial expression and, as Nicolet says, “how you present your body” can be difficult. Louis says that sometimes it’s hard to come every day to rehearsals, but he enjoys seeing his friends when he’s there.

Louis in costume for last year’s “The Nutcracker.”

TulsaKids: What is the best thing?

Louis and Nicolet say that the friendships they make are the best. They also value learning from the professional dancers. Nicolet says that having friendships in the cast enhances the performance because the connections between dancers make the party scene more genuine.

TulsaKids: How does performing help you in other areas of your life?

Both Nicolet and Louis emphasized the discipline that it takes to be a dancer. Listening and not talking and being respectful helps them in school. Nicolet says she has learned the importance of “being a nice person” and making friends with new people. Both young people say that being able to take feedback without taking it personally is important. They learn from watching how the professional dancers take their corrections.

TulsaKids: What else do you enjoy doing besides dance?

Louis: I play soccer. I think dance helps me focus and makes me a better player. I also like going out for Chinese food in Bixby.

Nicolet: I like to draw or hang out with friends. We go to Bentley Park (in Bixby) or walk along the bridge.

TulsaKids: Do you have a fun fact about yourselves you’d like to share?

Both Nicolet and Louis say they enjoy travel, although Louis loves the beach while Nicolet loves the mountains in Utah.