Sanford Teen Ballerina in Victorian Nutcracker at SPAC

Press Release

When Camille Alipalo steps out next weekend in “A Victorian Nutcracker” at the Sanford Performing Arts Center, it will be the first time she’s danced on stage before her “hometown” audience. It will also be the first time she’s danced publicly since severely fracturing her foot last summer in Cincinnati. 

“Throughout high school people have always known me to be a dancer,” said Camille, “but being able to perform for Sanford makes me feel like I finally get to show people who I am and what I’ve been working for.”

A Sanford High School senior, Camille has intensely trained the past six months for a full comeback for this performance. This is Camille’s fifth season with Portland Ballet’s “Victorian Nutcracker.” She is cast as a party parent, a mouse, Arabian attendant, and a flower in Waltz of the Flowers. 

And, of course, this comes after a pandemic year when all public performances were canceled.

Camille has performed many roles and variations with Portland Ballet, including Dulcinea in Don Quixote and the lead angel in a Victorian Nutcracker. She was cast as Cinderella last year but was unable to perform due to the pandemic. In 2018, she auditioned and was accepted to join the Portland Ballet’s Pre-Professional Training Division. 

Camille will graduate from Sanford High School in January 2022, a semester early, to join Portland Ballet’s professional company as a Trainee. Camille started dancing at age of 7 with Ballet Philippines. At age 10, she was promoted to full scholar with their training program. After moving to the U.S. in 2017, Camille began training with Portland Ballet. 

Portland Ballet’s “A Victorian Nutcracker” takes the stage this holiday season with magical, glittering backdrops and set pieces inspired by Portland’s Victoria Mansion. In addition to their performances at Portland’s Merrill Auditorium and Westbrook, the Sanford Performing Arts Center will kick off the run with two shows next weekend at 2 and 7 p.m., Saturday, December 11.

A Victorian Nutcracker is a retelling of the classic story of a young girl’s Christmas Eve dream, brought on by the curious gift of a nutcracker, in which she travels to the Sugar Plum Fairy’s Land of the Sweets. This version, with characters pulled directly from Portland’s past, is sure to please audience members of all ages.

Tickets range in price from $36 to $47. with senior and student rates available. For reservations, call (207) 206-1126 or visit www.sanfordpac.org.