Why I Love Performing in The Nutcracker.
The smell of hairspray, the sound of the audience rushing to their seats, bobby pins and headpieces scattered around, costumes ready to be worn, and the excitement of dancers young and old backstage. This past weekend I performed in, the worlds most famous ballet, The Nutcracker. Every year after Thanksgiving, ballet companies and dance schools all over the world perform this holiday tradition. Many dancers have performed this ballet since they were as young as 3 years old, and have grown tired of the work. I, on the other hand, will never get tired of performing this show.
I have been dancing since I was 6 years old, but my journey with this art form began long before that, with the 2001 movie Barbie in The Nutcracker. Like many, this movie was one of my introductions to Tchaikovsky’s score. Watching Barbie twirl around and stand on her toes blew my mind as a child. I remember watching this with my friend at daycare and her telling me that she did ballet just like Barbie. This is what peaked my interest, but another version of the story is what sold my mind onto being a dancer.
I was in kindergarten when my Nana showed me the film version of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker. Released in 1993, starring dancers of New York City Ballet and Macaulay Culkin (yes really), this was my first time seeing actual ballet dancers. While I liked the party scene and the battle between the nutcracker and mouse king, it was the snow scene that really drew me in. I was in awe of the Sugar Plum Fairy, entranced by the Arabian soloist, engaged watching Marzipan hop on her toes, and mesmerized watching Dewdrop and the Waltz of the Flowers. After this viewing, I turned to my Nana and said, “I’m going to be a dancer. I’m going to be in The Nutcracker one day.”
I finally got the opportunity to perform in this holiday tradition in 2012, and that first year was so magical. I’ll never forget the first time I stepped on that stage and heard the roaring applause of the audience. I had never felt applause like that before in my life, giving me goosebumps all over my body. I have been in a few different versions of The Nutcracker, having performed in various roles. I have danced in the Russian dance, the Arabian dance, two different versions of the Spanish dance, the Chinese dance, Waltz of the Snowflakes, Waltz of the Flowers, and Marzipan. Each role has been something different and challenging for me.
It doesn't matter what role I get to perform, every year I get the same excitement and emotions I felt when I watched this ballet all those years ago. The dreams of a little girl wanting to be a ballerina finally start to come true. Even though I never went professional, and I mostly dance for fun now, I still feel proud for that little girl who wanted to be Clara or the Sugar Plum Fairy. She may not have gotten to be those roles (yet!) but she’s been able to perform so many other great parts.
And that’s what makes The Nutcracker so great. No matter the role, you are apart of something special. The memories we make during this show are what makes it all so wonderful. The process of rehearsals, the costume fittings, the chaos of dress rehearsal, the silliness of backstage, the craziness of quick changes, the cast secret Santa party, and of course, being onstage dancing to that beautiful music. It’s a feeling that can’t be beaten. The Nutcracker is something I look forward every year and something I miss the minute it’s over. Even when I watch different productions, whether at home or in person, I get those same giddy feelings I had as a child. The Nutcracker is always a reminder that my childhood dreams of dancing and being happy have come true, and it will always have a special place in my heart.
