A local ballet company in Oklahoma helped a terminally ill girl achieve her lifelong dream just a few years ago – and is now cementing her legacy by naming a new character after her.
Olivia Francis’s wish to be a part of the Nutcracker came true in 2022 despite her diagnosis of Friedreich’s ataxia – a rare, terminal neurological condition that affects her ability to walk.
Now, the 12-year-old will be honored for years to come, as the Oklahoma City Ballet added a new character to be played by different children each year in Olivia’s honor, according to a post by her mother, Mary.
Olivia found out the news during an ‘amazing night’ on December 12, where she had dinner and watched the show she once starred in.
The little girl saw some of her favorite members of the show and met some new people as well, according to the upload.
‘Oklahoma City Ballet will always hold a special place in our hearts,’ wrote her mother.
‘Olivia found out they will have a permanent part in The Nutcracker, “Olivia or Oliver,” depending on who is playing the part.’
Photos of the smiling little girl accompanied the announcement, showing her enjoying her night out while surrounded by Christmas decorations.
After Francis could no longer perform in the ballet, Ryan Jolicouer-Nye, the artistic director, created the role for other children who dreamed of being on stage
Olivia Francis, 12, performed in the Nutcracker despite her diagnosis of a rare neurological disease called Friedreich’s ataxia
Francis, pictured with her mother Mary, was honored by the Oklahoma City Ballet after they named a new permanent character after her
Three children stepped into the role this past week during the show’s performance, according to the Ballet company’s Facebook page.
Juliana Creamer performed on December 20, Malaysia Jenkins followed the next day, and Whitley White on December 22.
The ballet company teamed up with Oklahoma Children’s OU Health this holiday season to make the young stars’ dreams come true.
Before the children’s performances, dancers visited the kids at the hospital to read holiday stories and practice dance stretches.
‘The Nutcracker really is a ballet for kids and families, and that goes down to the dancers,’ said Erica Portell, Oklahoma City Ballet Director of Community Engagement.
‘We have a lot of children who are cast in this show, and we are so excited that some of the child dancers are patients right here at Oklahoma Children’s. They are going to be amazing and spectacular. They’ve been working really hard in rehearsal, and I am excited to see them do it on stage.’
Whitley White performed as ‘Olivia’ on a December 22 performance of the Nutcracker
White told KFOR that she danced as a little kid, but it would be her first time performing.
Ryan Jolicouer-Nye, the artistic director, created the role years ago after Francis inspired him.
‘When Olivia could no longer do it, I wanted to make sure we had a seat open for any child who had a dream to be on stage but couldn’t,’ said Jolicoeur-Nye to the outlet.
When Francis first found out that she would finally be able to perform on stage alongside her fellow ballerinas, she cried.
Performing in the iconic ballet was a dream she first wrote about in her first-grade notebook, according to OKC FOX.
The production company told Francis the news that she would be part of the stellar performance on her birthday, making the surprise even more special.
She then made her sensational ballet debut on December 10, 2022 and continued to star on stage through December 18.
The keen dancer starred in the show in 2022 – and now a permanent character has been named after her
Francis has always dreamed of being a ballerina – but just months after she started her first dance lessons, she was hit with her diagnosis
Clips of the performance showed little Francis using her arms to join in the choreography, while other actors on stage move her wheelchair around in line with the dancing.
During rehearsals, she was seen gracefully gliding across the stage while holding a toy doll alongside the other ballerinas.
Despite admitting she was slightly nervous for her performance, Francis said that the best part of being involved in the Nutcracker was making friends with others on set.
Francis told KOCO the role as Clara’s sister Marie is not the way she envisioned she would be in the holiday production – but she said: ‘I’m really grateful.’
She noted: ‘Mostly I’m just acting, but there is one part where I can dance.’
And when she did get up to dance, Racheal Nye, the school director for the Oklahoma City Ballet, said ‘everyone just has their eyes on her.’
Nye said that Francis’s presence on set and her determination ‘inspired’ everyone.
Friedreich’s ataxia is a genetic disorder damages the spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and the cerebellum portion of the brain.
For Francis, it is unlikely that she will ever be able to walk with her condition. She was diagnosed in 2020, and there is currently no cure for Friedreich’s ataxia.
Francis’s mom Mary said that watching her superstar daughter on stage brought a tear to her eye.
