Chrissy Atterberry Lacny, a native Chicagoan, grew up in the small southside neighborhood of Bridgeport. It was there that she began her ballet training, along with her older brother John, with Miss Val at Val’s Dance Studio. Miss Val encouraged John to audition for Ruth Page’s The Nutcracker from which he was accepted and then continued to study at Ruth Page School. With the support of her parents Jack and Barbara, who spent many years managing the basement lounge and befriending the countless families that have made their way through Ruth Page School, Chrissy followed in John’s footsteps and joined the Ruth Page family at the young age of 5. She began her studies with Mrs. Laura in the small fourth floor studio. Following the curriculum, Chrissy went on to study with Miss Patti, her husband Mr. Irwin, Miss Katrina, Julie Burman, Miss Birute, Miss Dolores, and the incredible Mr. Long, among the countless guest instructors, choreographers and visiting artists that have graced Ruth Page School. At the age of 7, Chrissy auditioned for and began her Nutcracker career in 1992 performing the children’s roles of “Bonbon,” “Party Girl” and “Arabian.” Upon the closure of the Arie Crown Nutcracker, Chrissy went on to dance with The Civic Ballet of Chicago as a high school freshman. Following graduation from St. Ignatius College Prep, Chrissy embarked on a 5-year journey at Chicago’s Illinois Institute of Technology where she later earned her Professional Bachelor of Architecture. During this time Chrissy landed an internship at a small firm by the name of Liederbach & Graham, Architects, whose founders were classmates of a mother of a Ruth Page student. Nearing her almost 15 years with the firm, Chrissy has worked on numerous projects ranging from small kitchen renovations to large family estates and everything in between. Aside from working full time, Chrissy continues to study at the school & performs in Ruth Page’s The Nutcracker, now 30 years and counting. In addition to Ruth Page’s production, Chrissy has traveled to Key West to perform in a curious, but beautiful production of The Nutcracker while also continuing to work as a ballet mistress for the Indiana Youth Ballet under the direction of Elizabeth Bathurst. She frequently performs in the productions of The Nutcracker and Peter Pan and is grateful for the opportunity to teach the young dancers of IYB everything she has learned growing up at Ruth Page School. Chrissy is beyond honored to join this season of The Nutcracker as co-Children’s Director and to continue the legacy of Ruth Page. Chrissy now resides with her husband and their fur & feather babies in Hobart, Indiana.