It’s a beloved classic that’s a staple to the holiday season for people all over the country. This year the Crooked Tree Arts Center School of Ballet celebrates 18 years of bringing the Nutcracker to Northern Michigan.
“This is a big deal. And it is our holiday. So we’re happy to share it with our communities because we love it so much. And the fact that the community support and love it as well is just a perfect way to start the holiday season off,” said Heather Raue, Founder & Artistic Director at the School of Ballet.
The show incorporates dancers from ages 5 all the way up to adults, making it a special show for everyone.
”This ballet is so attainable for the non ballet watcher. There’s so many ages. The costumes are fun and colorful,” said Mr. Stahlbaum & Sugar Plum Fairy’s Cavalier, Tracy Thomson.
A Christmas classic but one that will leave you with a different experience year after year
”Such a great part about the show is that we recreate it every year and all the castings are different. The size of the cast is different, our backdrops are different, our costumes are different. Something that stays the same is the music, which is such a beloved, score. So to see our dancers and what they can do each year is just incredible,” said Thomson.
“There’s a lot of our, dancers, alums that come back and perform year after year and then again to watch the young ones who perhaps their first show ever to see a ballet was The Nutcracker when they were two or, you know, and then now they’re the Sugar Plum Fairy. You know. Oh, that’s really special. That’s a gift,” Raue said.
And this year’s Sugar Plum Fairy and Snow Queen have longed for this moment since they laced up their first pair of ballet shoes.
”I always, like, dreamed of being the Sugar Plum Fairy. And to grow up and have so many different roles to finally be where I am now, it just feels like. Like I feel like a little me would be happy with that,” said Sugar Plum Fairy, Elsie Dawson.
”I was ten when I did my first Nutcracker, and I have been dancing for almost seven years. My first role. I was a soldier. And it’s really exciting now because I remember watching the snow scene backstage during my first Nutcracker shows, and now being able to perform as Snow Queen is really special, because I’ve always loved the scene and the role,” said Colette McLeod, Snow Queen.
You can get into the holiday spirit by attending the Crooked Tree Arts Center School of Ballet’s performance of The Nutcracker on Dec. 21 and 22.
”I just hope that they feel inspired and they feel happy because The Nutcracker is a very special part of the Christmas season. So I’m really hoping that we can contribute to that and make them feel happy and cheerful,” said Dawson.
Prior to the weekend shows, you can attend a tea part on Dec. 15, where guests get a close up experience with the principal dancers of The Nutcracker.
