Young Everett dancers perform ‘The Nutcracker’ on Saturday

Published 5:33 pm Monday, December 13, 2021

EVERETT — Clara and the Nutcracker Prince are dancing live at the Historic Everett Theatre on Saturday after a two-year hiatus of The Dance School’s live performances.

“It means so much to our students,” Artistic Director Mari Engel said. “It’s a different feeling dancing on stage in front of people.”

The Everett nonprofit’s version of “The Nutcracker,” traditionally a ballet, includes tap, jazz and modern dance styles. Executive Director Marika Jaffe said the instructors adjust the show every year to highlight students’ strengths.

“We try our best to incorporate as many styles as we can,” Jaffe said. “Even our battle scene would be more of a jazz dance.”

Instructors at The Dance School and one of the students choreographed the dances. The school’s 2021 student choreographer assembled “Waltz of the Flowers.”

“It’s a challenging piece,” Engel said. “It’s long, with a lot of dancers involved. She is doing really, really well.”

The Dance School performs “The Nutcracker” annually but had to readjust last year. Instead of hosting a live performance, the school filmed student dances and streamed the videos online. Engel said the students are excited, and a little nervous, to return to the stage. The show features dancers from the school, with some as young as 3 years old.

The performance lasts up to 90 minutes. It is kid-friendly, with a 15-minute intermission. Board President Megen Nachreiner said The Dance School wants parents to feel welcome bringing small children. Children that come to The Dance School’s shows are often the ones she sees enrolling in future classes.

“We try to make it so kids actually want to be there and make it so it feels comfortable and special and fun,” Nachreiner said.

The Dance School aims to offer more opportunities for dance education in Everett. It offers students need-based scholarships using grants and donations. Nachreiner said The Dance School’s mission is to help people find and overcome the obstacles that prevent them from taking dance classes.

“We saw a need for more outreach to the community and something different from the traditional dance schools,” Nachreiner said. “We wanted to be able to bring in kids from any background to experience this and give it a try.”

The Dance School also supports dancers of all body types participating in its classes. Nachreiner said it’s normal for children to grow and the school doesn’t encourage students to pursue a traditional ballerina physique.

“Why should a dancer only be a size 2?” Nachreiner said. “Everyone can dance. I love how society is questioning these things.”

The same principles are found in the nonprofit’s performance of “The Nutcracker.” The Dance School eliminated traditional gender roles for the characters and let any student audition for any role.

“We wanted to do something more to celebrate rather than stereotype,” Nachreiner said. “We still have work to do, but I think it’s exciting because it feels like something the Everett community very much needs.”

The Nutcracker is slated for Saturday at the Historic Everett Theatre on Colby Avenue, with 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m performances. Tickets are available at the door or online.

Katie Hayes: katie.hayes@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @misskatiehayes.

Katie Hayes is a Report for America corps member and writes about issues that affect the working class for The Daily Herald.