The Nutcracker has been an annual tradition in the Ballet world for many years. The first showing of the Nutcracker in the US was in 1944 by San Francisco Ballet. In 1954, New York City’s Ballet co-founder, George Balanchine, created his version of The Nutcracker. From then on, it has blossomed into an annual tradition across many ballet stages across the nation. It has held a special place in my heart for over a decade, as well as been a tradition in the Forest Grove community for over 15 years. The Nutcracker is what makes Christmas feel like Christmas; it brings joy and has such a special feeling to it.
This year, I got the privilege to be the Sugar Plum Fairy in my studio’s version of the Nutcracker. It is one of the most well-known pieces of music, especially in the ballet world. Since I was a little dancer, I would watch the Sugar Plum Fairy in complete awe. I knew that was my biggest dream, and I got to accomplish it in my last Nutcracker. I committed to very rigorous and disciplined training to be able to perform this variation. It is very challenging, but it is quick and precise while also having the grace and elegance of being a fairy. The Sugar Plum Fairy is one of the most publicly known roles from The Nutcracker. This season, while I was training for this role, I went through 3 pairs of pointe shoes, which is the most I’ve been through in one season. Which is roughly over $300 just for pointe shoes, a very small part of bringing a ballerina to the stage. This is just a peek into what it’s like being on the dancers’ side of the Nutcracker production.
Many companies and studios do their Nutcrackers differently, depending on their cast and a variety of different factors, the artistic director will tweak the story to fit their company the best. The Nutcracker performances have grown in popularity over the past few years, which has helped ballet companies immensely. Many families have made it a Christmas tradition to go to see the Nutcracker. This has helped the profits of many ballet companies across the country. Ballet is one of many dying art forms, but because of the Nutcracker, the ballet world has gained a bigger audience and reached thousands of new eyes.
This year is my final year in the Nutcracker. I get to take my final bow on the same stage I have been dancing for over 10 years. I have gotten the privilege to dance alongside some of the most amazing peers and be mentored by very special teachers. The Nutcracker is the reason I have been dancing for 10 years; it holds a very special place in my heart. I have made some of my biggest and proudest accomplishments through this performance. From auditioning and getting the lead role of Clara in my 8th grade year, to getting the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy this year. The Sugar Plum Fairy has been a dream role of mine since I was very little. I will forever cherish the memories and hard work it took me to get to perform the role.
