The lights dim, the soft pat of pointe shoes against the hard stage resounds across the theater, the orchestra begins their first notes and the dancers of the party scene begin their pliés and pirouettes. Dancers Studio Choreographer Lauren Haza explains why this year’s Nutcracker performance will be unique.
“The sugarplum fairy, she dances with a male dancer, and typically, we always hire a professional to dance those two roles, occasionally we’ll have a dancer for the sugarplum fairy and then hire a male counterpart, but this is the first time in Dancers Studio history, which is around 34-35 years, that we’ve had students doing both of those parts together,” Haza said, “So it’s not only having two dancers that can do those individual parts, but being able to dance them together is another big factor.”
Junior Clemence Delfosse is dancing as the Dew Drop Fairy in the snowflake corp.
“It’s the first nutcracker where I feel really comfortable with myself and my abilities,” Delfosse said, “Obviously everyone is their harshest critic, and I still have so much to learn before our show and the many to come, but there’s something different in the air this year, and I’m really really excited for it. I think what I’m most excited for is dress rehearsal and then obviously the show, and just seeing it all come together; there’s nervous energy with everyone and we’re all excited to be dancing in costume.”
For Dancers Studio, the Nutcracker costumes are a fan favorite. Unlike most other studios, they have a costume mistress who creates all the outfits.
“We have a costumer on staff, and that is not a normal thing for a ballet school to have,” Haza said, “Most places order costumes. The first thing I hear after every show is ‘Oh my goodness, it was wonderful; the costumes were amazing.’”
Costumes for the show are in progress, but with their move to a new studio, Haza admits the show is a bit behind.
“We just moved to a new location, and it was very delayed, so we’re playing a lot of catch up right now, which is not ideal, but these kids, as a group, work so hard, they work so well together, they are so supportive of each other, and they can do it,” Haza said, “I know they can do it.”
While the clock ticks against the final deadline, the dancers work together, checking each other and fine-tuning their skills. Delfosse goes over her schedule, and what she does to practice.
“On Mondays I’ll have class with the other snowflakes, and we’ll do a quick warm up at the barre and then we’ll keep working on our dance,” Delfosse said, “That class lasts 1 1/2 hours, and then I take an additional class where we learn variations and practice technique. Lately we’ve been doing a lot of pointe work to make sure our feet and ankles are strong enough for the shows.”
Varchenko shared how training for a Ballet can involve training of dance and technique, but also of diet, hydration, and other preparation.
“If I dance that day then I’m sure I have a snack and I have tons of water that I drink before I dance,” Varcheko said. “Then I go to dance and I always icy hot my legs. I might do an epsom salt bath afterwards especially when it gets close to Nutcracker. I usually eat after dance just so I can have that protein for later.”
Dancers Studio has been working on the Nutcracker show since August. Delfosse encourages the community to come watch the show.
“I think it is so so important for people to come because it’s just something you don’t get to see everyday,” Delfosse said, “It’s also so great for the dancers to receive so much support for all the hard work they put into this show.”
