You know the holiday season has officially arrived when it is time for our annual production of The Nutcracker. With performances coming up this weekend, we asked some of our dancers about what it’s like to perform and more. Here are their answers:

Zoey

Age 16

Roles: Snow Queen, Flower Soloist

What do you like best about being in The Nutcracker? I love being on stage, and dancing with people of all ages.

What do you like the most about performing your role? Besides the tutu, I really like the partnering.

How long have you been dancing? I’ve been dancing since I was 5, so around 11 years

How many hours a day do you practice? Depending on the day, I dance anywhere from 1.5-2 hours.

What has been the most challenging aspect you have faced in your dance training?  And how did you overcome it? The hardest thing for me was gaining confidence in my dancing. To overcome it, I had to work harder on my technique in order to trust myself. 

Do you have a favorite ritual before you perform or rehearse? Before every performance, I always sing.

What is your favorite restaurant? Huhot! I love the food, and it’s even better with friends.

What are your favorite hobbies or when you aren’t dancing what do you like to do? I like to bake, and spend time with friends.

What advice would you give to someone performing in The Nutcracker for the first time? The show is over before you know it, so make sure you enjoy it while it lasts!

Do you dance around your house when you’re doing chores? Sometimes, mostly when I’m doing chores or waiting for something.

Outside of The Nutcracker, what’s your favorite holiday tradition? My favorite tradition is baking cookies with my family, 

What’s one thing you think people might not realize about your role? Just because I have a partner doesn’t mean it’s easy.

How does the audience affect what you bring to the performance? Having an audience makes me want to bring my best to every show.

Shelby

Age 8

Role: Sheep

What do you like best about being in The Nutcracker? I like that I get to be a sheep.

What do you like the most about performing your role? We wiggle our sheep butts. And my friend Olivia Charles is a sheep too.

How long have you been dancing? This is my fifth year at NPD.

How many hours a day do you practice? If it’s on a normal dance night, like Monday or Thursday, then for one hour.  If it’s a Nutcracker practice day, then I’ll be doing it for one or two hours. 

What is your favorite restaurant? Kobe’s – I like the big fire ball that comes up. 

What are your favorite hobbies or when you aren’t dancing what do you like to do? I like to watch a movie, or color and play with friends.  I really want to do a marble painting with a funnel but my mom might not let me, it’s probably messy.

What advice would you give to someone performing in The Nutcracker for the first time? Good luck.

Do you dance around your house when you’re doing chores? I dance usually in the garage a lot, but not while I’m doing chores.

Outside of The Nutcracker, what’s your favorite holiday tradition? Opening up presents.

What’s one thing you think people might not realize about your role? They might not be able to tell the sheep apart on stage!

How does the audience affect what you bring to the performance? I want to do my best.  When they clap at bows, it makes me happy.

Claudia

Age 16

Roles: Dew Drop Fairy, Snow Soloist

What do you like best about being in The Nutcracker? My favorite thing about Nutcracker is performing with my best friends!!

What do you like the most about performing your role? I like the challenge in performing Dew Drop, and dancing with the flower fairies.

How long have you been dancing? I’ve been dancing for 13.5-14 years.

How many hours a day do you practice? On different days I have different hours I practice, but through a week I normally dance 16 hours.

What has been the most challenging aspect you have faced in your dance training?  And how did you overcome it? The most challenging thing to happen to me was my hip surgery in eighth grade. I overcame it by working even harder than before!!

Do you have a favorite ritual before you perform or rehearse? Before I go on stage I listen to Hamilton in the dressing room.

What is your favorite restaurant? My favorite restaurant is the Bistro.

What are your favorite hobbies or when you aren’t dancing what do you like to do? When I’m not dancing, I like to go to school events and hang out with friends, and of course get my nails done.

What advice would you give to someone performing in The Nutcracker for the first time? Some advice for someone performing for the first time, don’t be nervous. YOU’VE GOT THIS!!!

Do you dance around your house when you’re doing chores? Sometimes I dance around the house, but only when we’re doing Cinderella…

Outside of The Nutcracker, what’s your favorite holiday tradition? My favorite holiday tradition would have to be going to the movies with my family on Christmas day.

What’s one thing you think people might not realize about your role? Flowers is one of the longest songs and Dew Drop is the only female principle role without a partner.

How does the audience affect what you bring to the performance? It’s fun to dance for a big crowd. The Nutcracker audience is always great because they have a lot of energy. The more energy from a crowd, the more enthusiastic we are to perform.

Isabella

Age 12

Role: Clara

What do you like best about being in The Nutcracker?  I love performing for the audience and entertaining them.

What do you like the most about performing your role?  I enjoy acting and dancing – “becoming” Clara on stage.

How long have you been dancing? Since I was in Kindergarten….7 years.

How many hours a day do you practice? 3 to 3 1/2 hours on weekdays and up to 8 hours on weekends. 

What has been the most challenging aspect you have faced in your dance training?  And how did you overcome it?  The most challenging thing I faced in my training is staying positive when my body hurts and I am exhausted…. I am inspired by older dancers and strive to continue grow in my dancing so I can be successful like them. 

Do you have a favorite ritual before you perform or rehearse?  I take deep breaths to calm myself down 

What is your favorite restaurant?  Panera Bread

What are your favorite hobbies or when you aren’t dancing what do you like to do?  I love to sing and do musical theater

What advice would you give to someone performing in The Nutcracker for the first time?  Have fun and remember you were chosen to dance in the Nutcracker for a reason! You will do awesome!

Do you dance around your house when you’re doing chores?  Oh yes!  Like, all the time. 

Outside of The Nutcracker, what’s your favorite holiday tradition?  Get hot chocolate from Starbucks and tour around the city looking at Christmas Lights with my family

What’s one thing you think people might not realize about your role?  Dancing the role of Clara requires a lot of acting!  It’s sooo much fun! 

How does the audience affect what you bring to the performance?  When they are energized and smiling, I know they are enjoying the show and I perform even better!