NYCB Vol. 13 No. 6 - Nutcracker

[6/52] Counting down 52 NYCB Nutcrackers this year with stories from NYCB dancers past and present! Today we hear from Sara Adams, a soloist who has been in the company since 2008:

“One of the most remarkable aspects of The Nutcracker is the camaraderie among all the individuals involved, including dancers, repertory directors, stage managers, stagehands, props technicians, orchestra members, and many more. It’s a massive production that requires encouragement and mutual support.

Photo by Devin Alberda

A moment where this encouragement is evident is just before the Sugarplum Fairy’s first entrance. In the second act, the dancers sometimes ‘send’ her onto the stage. I cherish the experience of being ‘sent’ out onto the stage when I perform as the Sugarplum Fairy, and I also love the feeling of sending the other Sugarplums out. It’s a wonderful way to share positive energy. These are photos [2] taken by Devin Alberda that capture the moment when the dancers ‘sent’ me out onto the stage during my Sugarplum Fairy performance.  

Photo by Devin Alberda

“Also, I love that it’s a part that connects generations of dancers. When I was a kid and my family would take me to the Nutcracker, I thought the Sugarplum Fairy was the most beautiful and magical part I’d ever seen. Later when I was first cast for the part and saw myself in the mirror in costume for the first time, I started to tear up. [3] I was really overcome that this incredible part, which had inspired me and so many other young dancers, was now in my hands, full circle. And every time I go out on stage in that costume I want to show just how beautiful and powerful it can be to another generation of young dancers [4] in the audience.”