Local News
NYC: DeSales student makes return to Thanksgiving parade.
A Lockportian is making her return to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City.
Francesca Surace, 11, a sixth-grader at DeSales Catholic School, has been selected to march in the 82nd edition of the famous parade. Surace will participate in the parade as part of Camp Broadway’s 300-member troupe and ride down the parade route on a float called “Winter in Central Park.”
The float welcomes Santa Claus into Herald Square with a special musical finale that is New York City’s official launch of the holiday season.
Surace was invited to audition for the parade after taking part in her second Camp Broadway summer program. The performers who were chosen will participate in an educational program this week that is comprised of four partial days of small group rehearsals and workshops, held in a New York City dance studio.
The students will learn a song and movement routine from Broadway professionals that will become the closing number of the parade. They will also attend performing arts workshops conducted by Broadway performers, and participate in a technical NBC blocking rehearsal in Herald Square.
With an extensive background in singing and dancing, Surace’s interests include singing, dancing, theatrical performance and violin. She has been a dance student for nine years and has taken Suzuki violin for seven years. She is studying voice and enjoys tap, jazz, hip hop and cheer dance. Surace is currently rehearsing for the DeSales production of “Beauty and The Beast Jr.” She will play the role of “Chip” in this, her third year as a member of the DeSales cast. The musical will be performed Jan. 29 to 31 at the Palace Theatre.
Surace is looking forward to going back and performing again, making her second consecutive appearance in the parade. The 82nd annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will be televised on from 9 a.m. until noon Thursday on NBC.
Question: How did last year go?
Answer: It went really well. It was a great experience and I loved it so much that I wanted to try again. Last year in the parade I was in the beginning of the whole thing. We were the opening act and we were dressed up as painters. We were basically “painting” the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
•••
Q: What will you be doing this year?
A: This year we’ll be in the finale on “Santa’s slope” with a special guest. We don’t know who that will be yet. We’ll be called “Santa’s Little Helpers.” I’ll be dancing and I might be singing, but we’re not sure yet. I have to call back to sing after I dance in the program.
•••
Q: When did you audition?
A: I auditioned in the summer after I went to New York City for Camp Broadway. Camp Broadway is exactly what it sounds like. You go there and see the plays and the people in the plays. You also learn songs and dances.
•••
Q: Is this the biggest event you’ve been in?
A: This is probably my biggest. I learned everything here in Lockport, like my dancing and singing. I take singing and dancing lessons at Dyan Mulvey Dance Academy.
•••
Q: How long do you get to spend in New York City?
A: We get to spend from Friday (Nov. 21) until Thursday (Thanksgiving). It seems like a long time, but it is so much fun. I love the city.
•••
Q: Now I imagine your family is excited for you. What do your friends think?
A: They think it’s really fun. All of best friends dance and they think it’s really good for me to do this. They always support me 100 percent. I just want to thank everybody who has helped me.
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