VALDOSTA — As the curtains draw back on opening night, a 47-year tradition will take the stage at Mathis City Auditorium as Dance Arts Valdosta leaps and twirls into “The Nutcracker.”

With a theatrical setting, the creation will encompass the tale of a young child during Christmastime.

But what the audience won’t see is the organization behind a production that is set to consist of 200 students and 12 instructors from the dance school.

For cast and crew members, executing the “The Nutcracker” has become second-nature, said Allison Shenton, Dance Arts artistic director.

“We look like little ants running around. We have it down like a well-oiled machine,” she said regarding backstage happenings.

Shenton said production members have been working together for years, all knowing their cues, jobs and duties.

“Even though we do look like little ants, it is a production (backstage) as it is on the stage; but it is something that we’re very comfortable with,” she said.

“The Nutcracker” is a Christmas story about a young girl, Clara, who receives a gift that will transform into what Shenton detailed as a magical night.

“It is just a very fantastic story put to live music done by ballet, and what child doesn’t love to dance and watch it on stage,” Shenton said.

The artistic director has a great deal of experience with “The Nutcracker.” Shenton said she danced in the ballet from 1983-95 with Dance Arts.

She said she has been a “Nutcracker” performer both at the collegiate and professional level.

“There’s no greater accomplishment for me than seeing my dancers have a fantastic experience on stage,” Shenton said, “and to see them proud of themselves is my greatest accomplishment.”

Dance Arts will incorporate new costumes and new choreography into the set this year. Valdosta Symphony Orchestra will provide live music, Shenton said.

The school has been working with Technical Director Joe Muncy for 23 years. Shenton said Muncy is the magic behind the show.

“He is the one making the show happen. He’s the one making the lighting and the cues and the special effects, and basically, he runs the production,” she said. “He is in charge of the timeline of the production.”

Rehearsals for “The Nutcracker” began in August, which allows for three months preparation time for the ensemble to come together. The show is usually held the first weekend in December.

Evaluations and casting to fill roles take place during summer, a period when some of the dancers complete intensives. Shenton said a group of students gather in a class as instructors watch to see how each dancer has progressed.

Most dancers will take a technique class four days per week at Dance Arts while others will rehearse five days.

“Basically what they do is they’re perfecting their craft,” Shenton said. “They’re coming in, and they treat themselves like an athlete.

“They have to keep their bodies in tune. They have to keep their bodies prepared and ready, strength and conditioning.” 

Taking ballet classes and maintaining correct technique are ways for the students to ensure body preparation, she said.

“We have a saying as a dancer, when you miss one class a week, your body knows. When you miss two classes a week, the audience knows,” she said.

When students miss classes, they’re not able to endure the strenuous steps and choreography offered by “The Nutcracker,” Shenton said.

The director said her rehearsals are intense with the most advanced group of performers practicing 9 a.m.-4 p.m. each Saturday.

Dance Arts will rehearse in Mathis during the six days leading to opening night.

When searching for ballet characters, Shenton said she simply looks for desire.

“As long as you want to come and learn dance and dance at Dance Arts, you’re in the show starting at first grade,” she said.

Each character has an understudy and not all dancers will perform in all four performances. For example, one Clara will perform in two shows and the other will be in the remaining two shows.

“We’ve always double-casted because you never know who’s going to be sick or who’s going to have an injury,” Shenton said.

This year, Charleigh Harper and Lilia Ward will both embrace the role of Clara.

Harper, who’s been dancing for seven years, said it’s a dream come true for her to be this character.

“The audience sees ‘The Nutcracker’ through Clara’s eyes, and I can’t wait to portray that,” she said.

Ward, who’s been dancing for 12 years, said she’s looking forward to both the dancing and acting aspects of the ballet.

“The dance is difficult, but it’s hard to not just focus on the dance and lose your facial expressions for the acting so the audience can connect with you,” she said.

Shenton said the girls who are selected to be Clara are highly advanced dancers and can also be a role model to younger dancers.

The performer has to be technical in her skill, as well as dedicated, she said.

“She’s (the girl who plays Clara) just got the whole package. She is not one of our oldest dancers. It’s typically a dancer that is around ninth or tenth grade.

“(She has) a desire to work very hard and very talented in her technique, just a very impressive, wonderful role model,” Shenton said.

The role of the Nutcracker Prince will be played by Landon Gibbs. He has been a member of Dance Arts for two and a half years.

“I’m very excited about playing this role. Before me, my brother played this, and I always wanted it, and I finally got it,” he said.

Merriss Gibbs, who will be the Sugar Plum Fairy, has been dancing since she was 3 years old.

Merriss said the Sugar Plum Fairy is a challenging role, but one she can improve upon with practice.

“I’m pretty confident besides the turns. I’m trying to perfect those a little bit more,” she said. “I just feel really honored to get to play this role. I never even thought about being the Sugar Plum Fairy, but I really enjoy it.”

Dance Arts will host “The Nutcracker,” set to be a hour-and-a-half long with intermission, at Mathis City Auditorium.

Show times are: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30; 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2.

Reserved seating is available for all four shows, and tickets are $15.

Visit danceartsvaldosta.com/nutcracker/, or call (229) 563-6681, for information about advanced tickets. 

Amanda Usher is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1274.