To start, pointe shoes are a very important part of The Nutcracker performance. They cost more than $100, and dancers have to replace them often after they die and are no longer able to support the dancer while dancing. It also takes a lot of time to sew and prepare the shoes to the dancer’s liking. Dancers go through many pointe shoes during Nutcracker season, which can get pricey.
There are many long hours of rehearsals for The Nutcracker. Along with that, in my experience, we still have to attend a regular ballet class of about one hour and thirty minutes. I have Saturday rehearsal from 9:00 to 3:00. There’s also rehearsal on stage and dress rehearsals.
The Nutcracker has many beautiful costumes and some… unique ones. There are costumes from pancake tutus and romantic tutus to rat costumes. Usually, the studio owns the costumes and we have to return them after the show. Some costumes are pretty old and some have headpieces, like tiaras. It is important to use lots of hair pins and bobby pins to keep it in place.
I have learned that it is also very important to do my makeup correctly so that the lights don’t wash me out. We typically wear heavy eye makeup with eyeliner on the bottom to emphasize our eyes. I try to never forget red lipstick and lots of blush. Although it feels like a lot, it’s worth it once I step foot on stage, as I know it looks very good in pictures and videos.
As a ballet dancer, I am about to perform in my third year of The Nutcracker. At my studio, we do this performance every other year with a winter recital in the year in between.
My first year I was party girl, my second year I was in Waltz of the Flowers and Rats, and this year I am Lead Mirliton, Columbine Doll, and Waltz of the Snowflakes. I am very excited to perform the doll this year because I get to come out of a box, perform my solo, and then a party parent carries me off of the stage!
This year, my performances of The Nutcracker are on December 20nd and 21st. On the first night, I only do Lead Mirliton and Waltz of the Snowflakes, but on the second night, I do Lead Mirliton, Waltz of the Snowflakes, and Columbine Doll. We have double casting for some roles, so my friend is the Columbine Doll the first night.
It’s such a wonderful experience to get to perform in The Nutcracker! My favorite part of The Nutcracker is getting to watch the Grade Pas de Deux backstage, which is a suite of dances in which a male and female dancer express their love through dancing.
The music of it is so beautiful; when I hear it, that’s when I really know that Christmas is coming.
