In the fall of 2022, Senior Grace Edwards discovered Snowflake Lane through her theater atelier, Studio East, in Kirkland. Edwards took a photo of a flyer offering further information and, later, decided to audition. Now, Edwards is entering her second year as a Jingle Bell dancer in the production.
Snowflake Lane is a free nightly parade of Holiday-themed floats in downtown Bellevue. The show is made up of characters, performers, holiday songs, fake snow and runs from November 24th to December 24th. Usually, there are roughly 200 members of the cast. This is mostly made up of returning dancers, who range from freshmen in high school to adults in their fifties.
Edwards credits Seattle Prep’s Pulse for her dancing success. She remarks that its challenging choreography allowed her to pick up the Jingle Bell routine quickly.
Edwards found out, again this past September, that she won a dancing position and elected to perform in all 32 of this year’s shows. When asked why she decided to return the following year, Edwards said, “I think it’s just fun that I’m able to do what I love, which is dancing, and to do it during Christmas time is just a really cool experience.”
Edwards describes her love for Snowflake Lane saying, “As a kid, I used to love getting presents and baking cookies, but I feel like it’s more of the happiness it brings to other people that I really like. I love bringing that sense of happiness and laughter and positivity to everyone who comes to the parade.”
Similarly, Sophomore Makena Shepherd recently learned that she has been chosen to perform in four Pacific Northwest Ballet Nutcracker performances. She will be singing “Waltz of the Snowflakes,” accompanying the orchestra with an Alto part. Her role is one part of a duet. Shepherd’s partner will be singing a Soprano part, and both will be stationed in the pit.
Shepherd was asked to audition for the role by her Seattle Girls Choir director. She is a dedicated singer and cast member of Prep’s Guys and Dolls production.
Shepherd babysits regularly and does other household jobs for work during the rest of the year. She explains what she most looks forward to about working during this special season: “It’s nice to have something to do and then you can make a little bit more money to do things during the holidays, it’s festive and everyone’s always happy.”
Of watching the show, herself, she says, “I love it, yeah, I think it’s beautiful. I’ve always looked down in the pit and I’ve always wanted to go down there, so it’s kind of a dream a little bit.”
