One of my favorite things about heading back to school after summer was knowing that Nutcracker season was just around the corner! It’s truly one of my all-time favorite times of the year.
Auditions would start in early September, and the energy was electric. The line of dancers wrapped all the way from inside the building, down the hallway, and even outside. It was nerve-wracking but so exciting at the same time!
If you were cast, rehearsals would begin shortly after. They were held every Saturday and Sunday, almost all day long! These rehearsals typically started with learning the choreography, then diving into cleaning it up to ensure everything looked polished, together, and uniform. As the performances approached, we transitioned into full-company rehearsals, where we’d run the entire show from start to finish with everyone. That’s when the real Nutcracker magic began.
In-studio rehearsals were all about perfecting the details: spacing, transitions, and even the bows. Watching the entire production come together and seeing the other dancers perform was so inspiring—it truly fostered a sense of community.
The weekend after Thanksgiving marked the start of show season, which lasted until Christmas! We’d perform three, four, sometimes even five shows each weekend at various venues across New Jersey. My personal favorite was the State Theatre, where we danced alongside a live orchestra and choir. Fun fact: the Princeton Girlchoir sang with us, which was extra special for me because I used to be part of that choir! I chose to focus on dance during Nutcracker season due to our contract, but it was always a treat to see my conductor during rehearsals.
Show weekends were intense but exhilarating. Spacing, tech, and dress rehearsals often started on Thursday or Friday, depending on the venue. Sometimes, we performed school shows as part of students’ field trips. I’ll never forget the thrill of getting an excused absence note from school—it made me feel so cool heading to rehearsal to dance on stage.
Before tech rehearsals, we’d warm up with a class. Occasionally, we joined the company class on stage, which was incredibly inspiring, but other times, Ms. Whitney led a smaller warm-up in the dressing rooms. Writing this now makes me miss it all so much!
Since we performed with a professional company, the rules were strict. There was no talking or messing around, especially during class or while watching other dancers rehearse. Spacing rehearsals were crucial for ensuring everyone hit their marks, creating those magical formations visible from the audience’s perspective.
Dress rehearsal was one of the most exciting parts—it meant we were so close to performing for a live audience! Running the entire show in costume always made everything feel so real.
The following days brought showtime. We’d perform matinees and evening shows, and the adrenaline rush was unlike anything else. The stress of hitting every mark and executing the choreography with perfect technique was intense, but the magic of performing made it all worthwhile. Looking back, I wish I had soaked in those moments even more.
Nutcracker season was hard work, but it was endlessly rewarding. From auditions to rehearsals to performances, every step taught me something valuable. I learned focus, discipline, commitment, time management, and respect, along with so many life lessons.
A huge thank-you to my mom for making my dance journey possible and always getting me where I needed to go. And a heartfelt shoutout to Princeton Ballet School for teaching me lessons I’ll carry with me forever. I will always cherish these memories and my love for performing.
