Everett’s oldest holiday production, “A Storybook Nutcracker,” has dropped its curtain for good.
Every year at Christmastime, students of the Everett Dance Theatre would present the child-friendly show. The performance took the traditional “Nutcracker” ballet and provided simple narration so youngsters could easily follow along while watching Clara’s dreamlike journey unfold.
This week, director Jennifer Greene said she was closing Everett Dance Theatre, which has been open for almost 30 years. Greene, 48, the director for the past 15 years, has decided to retire.
Greene is not, however, hanging up her ballet shoes. She plans on teaching, with many of her students vowing to follow her wherever she goes.
“I can’t imagine not doing that,” said Greene, who has taught since 1975. “It’s my passion.”
One of the hardest parts about closing the school was ending “A Storybook Nutcracker.” Greene still holds out hope that some other studio or theater might take it on.
“That’s why I’d like to sell the entire ‘Nutcracker’ thing in one swoop,” she said, referring to her costumes, sets and props.
Greene said her rather sudden decision to close was based partly on economics after seeing a 50 percent drop from last year in her preschool and kindergarten students. Some of her clients have lost their jobs; others have told her they can’t afford the gas.
Greene said she was also giving out more and more scholarships to students unable to afford classes. The nonprofit school used to annually give about $10,000 in scholarships and reduced ticket costs to performances such as “Storybook Nutcracker.”
Turning out the studio lights on Monday, without even thinking, Greene did what she always has done: danced in the middle of the room.
“And it hit me,” Greene said. “I wasn’t going to have that anymore.”
Reporter Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424 or goffredo@heraldnet.com.
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