And now she’s back in the audience watching.”For June Smith, “The Nutcracker” represents more than the holidays. Her mother founded the ballet company in 1984, and her daughter and grandchildren had roles in this year’s production. “It’s my family, it’s ‘The Nutcracker’ family, and now it’s become the community family that has come together to put this show on.”Dancers warm up and stretch under the direction of June Smith before opening night. NBC NewsOn opening night, young dancers with their ballet buns, rosy red cheeks and leotards were giddy with excitement backstage. Kelly Kaminski started performing with the ballet company in 1992 as a child and returned to “The Nutcracker” as an adult to play the grandmother in the first act.

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Persons: “, Smith, Eric Bannerd, Nate Van Bynen, Eric Banners, Van Bynen, ”, it’s, June Smith, Kelly Kaminski, ” Mara Stein Organizations: Canton Ballet, NBC News, NBC, Volunteers, showtime, Local Locations: CANTON, Mich, —, Canton, Detroit, Plymouth