Georgia Magazine - December 2019 - 22

KRISTI RUSSELL

Toy soldiers come to life in Dalton's rendition of "The
Nutcracker." Presented by the Dalton Arts Project, this
year's "Nutcracker" will feature more than 350 local and
guest performers.

are parents of children dancing in this year's 'Nutcracker,'" she says.
To the audiences, Long's "Nutcracker" productions are perfect, but she is often managing crises in
the background.
"Our Sugar Plum Fairy had the flu one year, but
she walked out on stage and delivered an unforgettable performance," Long remembers. "We've
performed in the middle of ice and snow storms."
A water main broke near their performance
venue one year. The city cut off the water, rendering the restrooms inoperable, but Long's volunteers
found a workaround, sending patrons and dancers
to temporary buildings nearby.
"And one of the big sets fell over in the middle of
a show-kaboom!" she says. "Things don't always go
as planned, but we keep dancing and smiling no
matter what."

Something for everyone in
Statesboro
OC
IST

"The Nutcracker" offers performance
opportunities in Statesboro for dancers of all
ages and skill levels, both female and male.

CO
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AM
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ESIG
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See 'The Nutcracker' this season
Statesboro, Dec. 8, statesboroschoolofdance.com/nutcracker
Macon, Dec. 11-15, midganutcracker.com
Dalton, Dec. 13-14, 20-21, daltonartsproject.org/nutracker

Georgia Magazine

December 2019

"Everyone has a part, including my students
with special needs. They become Sugar Plum Fairy
attendants and carry the crown to Clara," says Shay
Morgan, who owns the Statesboro School of Dance,
statesboroschoolofdance.com/nutcracker.
She has directed the community's "Nutcracker"
performances since 2011.
Her other students progress from year to year.
"The youngest performers-3- and 4-yearolds-are cherubs," she says. "The next year, they
perform as mice. The year after that, they become
soldiers, then gumdrops, and so on. They know if
they were part of the party children last year that
they may be a big mouse or a peppermint twirl this
year, and they look forward to their next role."
By the time the dancers reach middle school
and high school, they've played most of the minor
roles in the production and dance as dolls, flowers
and snowflakes.
"We're a small community, so even the parents
are involved," Morgan says. "It's humorous backstage. The dads pull the ropes to make it snow, and
I'm telling them: 'More snow! More snow!'"
The stress level is high, but Morgan has learned
over the years to enjoy the moment.
"When the music starts, we have a good time,"
she says. "I love it, our dancers love it, our parents
love it and our community loves it. 'The Nutcracker'
really is a magical experience."
Amber Lanier Nagle is a freelance writer living in
Adairsville.

http://www.statesboroschoolofdance.com/nutcracker http://www.statesboroschoolofdance.com/nutcracker http://www.midganutcracker.com http://www.daltonartsproject.org/nutracker

Georgia Magazine - December 2019

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