Photo submitted by Madisyn Greene
Selah Greer, staff contributor to The Spark
The curtains open. Familiar music silences the audience's whisperings, as the spotlight shines on a lone figure mechanically center stage. For those watching, this is simply the opening scene of The Nutcracker. But for the ballerina on the stage, this is her last dance.
Margaret Greene, a senior at Watauga High School, has danced for Studio K for 16 years. This year she played the mechanical doll, the iconic character who first appears on the stage and takes the audience into a magical world of fighting mice and sugarplum fairies. For Margaret Greene, Christmas is a time synonymous with tutus and stage makeup and holds many memories of previous Nutcrackers.
"I have done it since I was a kid, so many of my early memories revolve around The Nutcracker,” said Margaret Greene. “This was my last Nutcracker so there’s a lot of bittersweet feelings."
Montgomery Taylor is another senior who performed in her final Nutcracker this year. She has been a part of the ballet since she was 2 and experienced a myriad of emotions leading up to her final performance.
"I would say that it has definitely felt different. There’s been this different sense of stress because if it is the last I want to give it my all, but it’s also kind of sad because I’m leaving a big part of me behind,” said Taylor. “But on top of all of that I’m so excited."
This excitement is obvious when the curtains open. Beaming toddlers scurry after the Mouse King and professionals perform elegant fouettes en pointe. Having dancers of all ages and skill levels is an aspect of The Nutcracker that Montgomery Taylor enjoys.
"It's kind of fun working with so many different ages of dancers, because I used to be the little girl looking at all the dazzling tutus and now I’m wearing a tutu,” said Taylor. “It’s also so fun to watch the younger classes because you get to see their progress and how they grow as dancers."
In the countless hours of rehearsal, these young ballerinas also grow relationships that long outlast the show. Senior Madisyn Greene has danced in the Nutcracker for 14 years and has fallen in love with Studio K's unique community and camaraderie.
"I love working with so many people because they are all so kind and sweet. I have made some lifelong friends being a part of this company. What’s special to me is building and growing relationships during The Nutcracker season,” said Madisyn Greene. “We lift each other up and put together a killer show."
There are many things to love when it comes to The Nutcracker. For some, it is the inspiration for the performance that makes Studio K exceptional.
"Everything is so special about The Nutcracker. Pinning down one thing is hard, but the first thing that comes to mind is the company prayer before every show. We all get on stage, hold hands, stick our right foot in the circle and we pray,” Taylor said. “This uniting exercise is one of the many things that brings the studio closer together.”
The seniors who performed their final Nutcracker last weekend may be leaving Studio K's community, but the lessons they have learned on the stage will stay with them for years to come.
"I think dancing in The Nutcracker definitely makes you a better dancer overall. The older you get the more rigorous roles you get, and the discipline The Nutcracker teaches you is pretty crazy,” Taylor said. “You get stronger and better each time you run your dance."
Last Sunday, the curtains closed for the last time on Margaret Greene, gracefully spinning as the spotlight faded. For her and The Nutcracker’s other seniors, the curtains closed on years of dedication, friendships, and shared laughter, but those years are ones they will treasure forever.
“The Nutcracker is just such a strong tradition of mine so I’m gonna miss not being a part of it,” Margaret Greene said. “It will always hold a place in my heart.”
Comments