BRATTLEBORO-When you step into the art deco splendor of the Latchis Theatre this weekend, you will be stepping through a portal into a magical world of festivity, joy, fantastical heroism, delectable distortion of reality, and thrilling adventure.
The Nutcracker ballet offers a sweet escape into the Land of the Sugar Plum Fairy, where tantalizing treats leap and twirl with rapture to the intoxicating score by Tchaikovsky.
But what makes all this fantasy and beauty possible?
It may seem everything is just whipped together magically, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. The reality is that what you experience from your seat is the culmination of meticulous planning, months of preparation, and countless hours of physical labor.
The Brattleboro School of Dance (BSD) is busier than Santa’s elves rehearsing dance variations, honing their technique in class, being fitted with bright new costumes, and organizing an army of volunteers.
Not to mention building sets, creating a brand new scaffolding and truss structure for backdrops and other theatrical elements, hanging and focusing lights, and numerous other behind-the-scenes aspects that make this show the magical and professional production it is.
The beauty of ballet is derived from the look and feel of effortlessness. Poise, control, precision, and grace are the qualities that ballet dancers display on stage to achieve this seemingly magical effect.
It takes years and years of training in class and rehearsal to get to this point. Most ballet dancers begin at a very young age, and they dedicate most of their time to develop the herculean strength it takes to become their dream. It is not easy!
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One beautiful example of this dedication and determination is our featured guest artist this year, Victoria Jaenson, an alum of BSD who will perform the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Originally from Kampala, Uganda, Jaenson began her formal dance training at the age of 7 at BSD under founder Kathi Keller. She later studied at the Rock School for Dance Education and The Hartt School at the University of Hartford.
She went on to dance professionally in companies throughout the U.S., and is currently dancing with Collage Dance Collective in Memphis, Tennessee. When Jaenson graces the stage in her pointe shoes and tutu, you will be watching the product of the years and years of hard work, grueling hours of physical training, psychological and emotional perseverance, and a will of iron.
In fact, every dancer you see on stage is showcasing the culmination of their training and passion, in whatever stage of life they are in.
You will see popping out from under Mother Ginger’s skirt young dancers who have been dancing just a couple years. You will see adult dancers at the Stahlbaum’s party in the first act, some of whom are novice dancers, some of whom have danced their whole lives, and most of whom are actual parents of actual dancers in the show.
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You will also see gracing the stage three high school seniors who have more than a decade of training under their belts — and who have so much more of their dance journey ahead of them.
Mariam Abena Diallo will dance the role of The Nutcracker, leading the fight against the Mouse Queen with vivacious strength and heroism and guiding Clara on her dream-like journey.
Olive Fleming will be featured as The Snow Queen, whirling and twirling with dazzling grace through the snowy scene of a pine forest.
Diana Webb will gracefully and magnanimously weave and wind through the Waltzing Flowers as The Dewdrop Fairy.
The dancers you see in this production are giving you, the audience, all of their hard work, passion, and love.
That is what makes this show so special.
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Seniors and children at $20, and general admission at $30, available at brattleboroschoolofdance.com. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12 and 13, at 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14, at 2 p.m.
Bridget Struthers is the director of the Brattleboro School of Dance. The Commons’ Deeper Dive column gives artists, arts organizations, and other nonprofits elbow room to write in first person and/or be unabashedly opinionated, passionate, and analytical about their own creative work and events.
This Arts column was submitted to The Commons.