The Nutcracker is a traditional ballet performed every year during the holiday season by many different ballet companies worldwide. It is a yearly excursion for many and binds long-lasting family traditions. Sitting down to watch The Nutcracker is a magical experience, but have you ever thought about what it’s like for the talented dancers you’re watching?
Performing The Nutcracker is very challenging. Leading up to the performance, dancers endure long rehearsals with little to no breaks many days a week. It can be difficult for dancers to balance school and rehearsals which are time-consuming and exhausting.
The Hive interviewed Scarlett Cannizzaro, a local dancer at Elan Academy of Classical Ballet in Essex, who has been dancing since she was young. This winter season, Cannizzaro is dancing in the annual Nutcracker her company is putting on. We talked to her about the preparation, how she trains for this season’s recital, nerves, and why she thinks The Nutcracker is so special. 
Cannizzaro will dance as the Mouse King, Dewdrop Fairy, Snow Queen, Marzipan, and Dolls. As a talented dancer, Scarlett’s schedule is full of dance classes. Leading up to the big performance, Scarlett has two technique ballet classes a week, along with at least an hour and a half pointe class. On Sundays, she spends four to five hours at the studio.
“I think that the build-up can be stressful, especially this year because we have less time, but when I get on stage, I usually calm down when I get out there,” Cannizzaro said.
When watching The Nutcracker from the audience, the dancers seem calm and collected, but in reality, there are times when they are nervous – standing in the wings while waiting for your cue or running from the dressing room to the stage.
“For me, it’s Christmas time, the holiday season, and The Nutcracker is included in that,” Cannizzaro said.
Something special to the dancers is their family and friends coming to see all the hard work, hours, and rehearsals put together to create something magical.
“You get to bring the magic to life on your own,” Cannizzaro said.
