MGCCC dancers land roles in "The Nutcracker" and at Disney World

Samantha Echols, left, and Damaris Vasconez, both members of the Perkettes Dance Team at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s Perkinston Campus, have been selected for dance roles in upcoming events.

Perkettes Damaris Vasconez and Samantha Echols find that dreams do come true

Two members of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Perkettes Dance Team have been selected for dance roles in upcoming events.

Damaris Vasconez auditioned and was selected as a pointe ballet dancer in the Gulf Coast Ballet Theatre’s production of "The Nutcracker" at the Saenger in Biloxi. Samantha Echols was selected to participate in the Disney College program as a character and parade performer. Both dancers are students at MGCCC's Perkinston Campus.

Vasconez, Perkettes captain, took ballet lessons for many years. “I have not had the opportunity to perform ballet in several years, and I was thrilled with this chance to get back to it,” she said. “I tried out for pointe but was a little scared I wouldn’t be able to pull it off. After my audition, however, they complimented my technique. I really couldn’t believe it. What is really incredible is that I will get to work with renowned choreographers from Australia and Los Angeles who are working with the production.”

A freshman from D’Iberville with plans to become an orthodontist, Vasconez said she wants to continue dancing. “After becoming an orthodontist, I’d love to open up my own studio. I know those two don’t seem to go together, but they represent my two passions. I am dreaming big and plan to keep working to make it happen.”

Echols, also a freshman, is thrilled about beginning her job at Disney in January. “Since I will be both a character and parade performer, I have to go through training,” said the pre-medical major, who will miss the spring semester at MGCCC while working at Disney. “I was offered the chance to be several characters, including Alice in Wonderland and Tinker Bell. I chose Tinker Bell, so most of my time will be spent in Pixie Hollow, where I’ll interact with children, pose for photos and give autographs. I will also have to walk around the park with Peter Pan and Captain Hook on occasion. Then, of course, there are the parades that all the characters take part in.

“I can hardly wait to get there," she said. "Everyone would love to work at Disney World, right? And on my day off, I can visit Disney World for free. What’s better than that?”

Echols plans to return to MGCCC for fall semester 2013. Her dream is to be a pediatrician. “My love for children is one reason I am looking forward to participating in the Disney College Program," added the native of Spanish Fort, Ala. Her mother lives in Biloxi.