When the Storybook Comes to Life: Behind the Scenes of The Nutcracker at Carolina Ballet

We often talk about ballet as a storybook adventure at Tutu School Cary, but sometimes for our members, the magic really leaps right off of the page and into real life…

At the beginning of November, we leapt into the most enchanting time of the year—Nutcracker Season—our students have been marching like soldiers, waltzing like snowflakes, and journeying through the Land of the Sweets in their classes. This beloved classic is a favorite of our students (and our teachers!) every year.

For many, The Nutcracker is the ultimate entry point to the world of ballet—the first “ballet” many people see performed. It’s a charming, whimsical, and sweet story about a little girl named Clara who receives a Nutcracker doll for Christmas and is then taken on a magical journey. Through this story, we learn that:

If you are brave in the face of new adventures, you will see amazing things!

My own connection to this ballet runs deep. From the age of 8 until I was 38, I danced The Nutcracker nearly every single holiday season; from childhood roles, to performing every single female role in the entire production as a professional ballerina with Carolina Ballet! My favorite roles remain Waltz of the Snowflakes, Arabian Coffee, and, of course, The Sugar Plum Fairy.

I still get a rush of nostalgia whenever I hear the Tchaikovsky score. Going to see The Nutcracker each year is a tradition now for my children, and it is my deepest hope that this story becomes just as meaningful and magical for your children and families, too.

A Special Peek Behind the Scenes

As a way to enhance the learning and wonder we explore in class, I was thrilled to host our unforgettable “Meet Clara” Behind-the-Scenes of The Nutcracker event at Carolina Ballet for the 2nd year in a row a couple weeks ago.

The goal of this event is to give context to what our students learn in class. It was an opportunity to connect our students with the professional world of dance, to experience storytelling come to life, and create a special and inspirational experience only available to our Tutu School Cary community.

A Legacy of Twirls: From The Sugar Plum to Tutu School to Clara

This event is a true full-circle moment for me and a testament to the journey a little dancer can take!

• As a former Principal Ballerina who spent 20 years performing The Nutcracker with the company, it is an absolute joy to now create these immersive experiences for our students.
• The connection was made even more special because the magic was enhanced by one of our own: Elliana, a former Tutu School student who is now dancing the signature role of Clara in Carolina Ballet’s The Nutcracker.
• Elliana was one of our very first students. She danced in our program, laying her foundational training, for six years before continuing her journey at the School of Carolina Ballet. She is an exemplary example of a little dancer taking her love and passion for ballet that was nurtured at Tutu School, further!

Stepping Backstage: The Magic Unfolds

Our attendees—both dancers and parents—were filled with awe as they got a glimpse behind the curtain. Here’s a peek at the special moments we shared:

• The Secrets of Slippers and Sparkle 🩰 The event began show-&-tell style with a tutorial on ballet slippers versus pointe shoes, giving our little dancers the opportunity to handle pointe shoes and learn how ballerinas dance up on their toes. I was also thrilled to share my own Sugar Plum Fairy costume from my performing days with the company.

• Inside the Costume Shop 🐭 We ventured into the Carolina Ballet Costume Shop, where imaginations came alive! The children loved trying on sparkling tiaras and discovering how the mice and Nutcracker see out of their masks. Parents were delighted to see the glittering detail on the Snow Queen, Sugar Plum Fairy, and Mother Ginger costumes.

• Watching the Truffles Rehearse ✨ We then went into the Carolina Ballet studios to watch a rehearsal led by former Principal Dancer (and my dressing-room mate of 15 years!) Margaret Severin-Hansen. Our families watched as the children—some of whom are former Tutu Schoolers—practiced their roles as the Truffles who open the 2nd Act of the ballet. Our dancers were hearing the beautiful Tchaikovsky score and watching these children just slightly older than them prepare, which sparked so much inspiration.

• A Q&A with Clara (Elliana!) 💖 The ultimate highlight was meeting Elliana, our Tutu School alumni. She answered questions from our little dancers, performed beautiful pirouettes, and even handed out autographed coloring sheets! Elliana’s mom, Stephanie, was also on hand to chat with attending parents about Elliana’s journey, the commitment, and the path from Tutu School parent to a parent of a committed young dancer.

We simply love creating these unique experiences that add a wonderful layer of awe, wonder, and inspiration to your child’s ballet journey. The children loved the experience, asked great questions, and had so much fun engaging with the costumes and dancers.

Watch the full experience on our Instagram page here!

Leap Into Your Own Storybook Adventure!

Special, enriching events like this “Meet Clara” experience are just one of the unique perks of Tutu School membership. If you missed this one, the magic is just getting started as we twirl toward the holiday season and New Year ahead! 

Tutu Members receive a 20% discount on tickets to Carolina Ballet’s The Nutcracker performances this season (running December 11th-24th) + members can also look forward to our next event coming up in January — A New Year’s Dance Party with Bluey!

Are you ready to create these priceless memories with your child?

Enroll Today! Our classes are designed to welcome new dancers at any time (& Nutcracker-time is a pretty magical one to leap in!) with a focus on a careful and consistent introduction to the world of ballet. Sign up for a Free Trial Class here to experience the magic!