HUNTINGTON BEACH : Family Steps Easily Into Ballet Roles

Terry Vincent and eight of her 11 children will perform together in the “The Nutcracker” ballet--believed to be the first time that nine members of the same family have appeared together on a local stage in the traditional holiday offering.

The Nutcracker opens at the Westminster Cultural Arts Center on Saturday and at Golden West College on Monday.

Some of Vincent’s children have been dancing in “The Nutcracker” for about 10 years but it will truly become a family affair when Vincent, 51, joins the cast.

“We can’t have Christmas without being in ‘The Nutcracker,’ ” said Vincent, a single mother.

Vincent said she is not nervous about her role of Mother Ginger.

“It’s a comedy role. As soon as I put on the costume, I can cut loose and be silly,” she said.

Her children aren’t skittish either, Vincent said.

“The audience will be just a little larger than what we have at home,” she quipped.

Vincent said it was pretty much a miracle that her children got involved in ballet. Her first six children were boys who liked to play soccer and baseball.

And then Cammy, now 13, was born.

“I could hardly sleep, I was so excited,” Vincent said. “I never thought I would have any girls. I remember lying in the hospital bed thinking no more sweaty socks, no more tennis shoes. From now on, it’s going to be ballet slippers and tutus.”

She enrolled Cammy in ballet classes at the Orange County Dance Center in Huntington Beach when she was 3. Brother Carey used to go there and watch, and Vincent signed him up for tap dancing.

Another brother, Coby, saw how much fun Carey was having and he enrolled in dance classes, too. Eventually, all the children found their way into ballet classes.

Coby, 19, will have the lead role as the Sugar Plum Fairy’s Cavalier. Coby wants to be an actor, dancer or dance instructor but he’s also studying business and math at Golden West College.

Carey, 16, a sophomore at Marina High School in Huntington Beach, will be a Russian dancer and King Mouse. He wants to be a dancer, actor or comedian.

“When people clap, it really gives me a feeling of self-assurance,” he said.

Other family actors and their roles are: Kelly, 22, lead parent; Cammy, Chinese dancer and party doll; Courtney, 12, entertainer; Kerby, 11, Fritz; Conny, 9, party girl; and Quincy, 7, toy soldier.

The children’s show biz training has led to appearances in movies and commercials.

The Huntington Beach family has performed at the Brea Civic Center, Orange Coast College and Huntington Beach High School.

Anthony Sellars, artistic director at the Ballet Repertory Theater that is putting on the performance, said the Vincent family dancers are talented and dedicated and have ideal working habits.