December 15, 2025 by Sarah Pipino (‘26)
A holiday season tradition that transcends countries, time periods, and religions, The Nutcracker ballet is a show filled with wonder and whimsy, dreams and daring, friendship and fancy all wrapped in a bow. The Nutcracker is a two-act ballet originally choreographed by Marius Petipa to music arranged by Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1892, which follows the story of Clara Stahlbaum, a young girl who gets a nutcracker at her parents’ Christmas Eve party, unknowing the doll is a gateway into a fantasy world. The nutcracker grows the Stahlbaum Christmas tree, along with bringing to life the children’s toys and trinkets. The night of Christmas eve, the nutcracker transforms into a real prince and later meets Clara to lead her through a world of magic that she had never dreamed of. After surviving a ferocious snowstorm, Clara and her prince journey to the Land of the Sweets, where the Sugar Plum Fairy and various groups of delicacies warmly welcome them. From the cool and mysterious Coffee variation to the bright and powerful Chocolate dance, the light Tea song with flute and bell melodies to the almost 7-minute-long Flowers variation danced by the corps de ballet and the classic Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, this timeless ballet is filled to the very brim with excitement for all ages and the height of the ballet season for dancers.
This December 20th at 2:30pm and 6:30pm in Saratoga Spring High School’s very own Loewenberg Auditorium, Saratoga City Ballet will put on two performances of The Nutcracker for all of the Saratoga community. This local dance studio is home to many of our very own Toga students who will be participating in the show, including all of Saratoga City Ballet’s seniors! Here are some interviews from these senior dancers: Olivia Clemmensen, Ella Gorman, Maddy Nesbitt, and Maya Kakaty.
Q: What does The Nutcracker mean to you?
“Nutcracker is everything. It is the highlight of my year, and the most exciting (and stressful) time in the ballet world. It is a beautiful tradition and magical way to prepare for the holidays and also the coming year of ballet classes. I look forward to this chance to perform and share what I love doing with friends and family all year.” -Olivia Clemmensen
“The Nutcracker means long tiring days at the studio but also fun memories with friends!” -Ella Gorman
“To me, The Nutcracker is what I’ve been working towards all year. Especially this year because as a senior, I feel like all of my hard work has led me to this point. I love getting to perform for people and I always have such an amazing time! Nutcracker has been such a good experience for me.” -Maddy Nesbitt
“It is my favorite holiday tradition that I have been doing since I was 5 years old. I can’t imagine a holiday season where I’m not prepping for Nutcracker.” -Maya Kakaty
Q: What is your role this year?
“I am [a part of] snow corps and the Dew Drop Fairy!” -Olivia Clemmensen
“[I am the] Arabian lead.” -Ella Gorman
“This year I am the Snow Queen, Candy Cane lead, and [a part of] the Flowers corps.” -Maddy Nesbitt
“I am the Sugar Plum Fairy.” -Maya Kakaty
Q: How long have you been dancing?
“I have been dancing for a little over 15 years now, and I’ve been en pointe for about 6.” -Olivia Clemmensen
“I have been dancing since I was two years old.” -Ella Gorman
“I have been dancing since I was 2 years old (15 years).” -Maddy Nesbitt
“I’ve been dancing since I was 2 (16 years).” -Maya Kakaty
Q: What’s the best part of Nutcracker?
“Not only do I love being able to perform on a stage to an iconic score like The Nutcracker, but I love spending so much time with my friends during rehearsals and backstage. Those are really the best memories.” -Olivia Clemmensen
“My favorite part is performance days. I love the energy in the air and watching in the wings while your friends dance and feeling accomplished and relieved after you’ve performed.” -Ella Gorman
“The best part of Nutcracker is being able to spend time with my friends and work with them to create a wonderful show!” -Maddy Nesbitt
“I love every part of Nutcracker, I love the music and the rehearsals where we spend hours with our friends learning our dances and of course performing and showing our hard work.” -Maya Kakaty
If you have any time to spare on December 20, consider going to support our Toga seniors and experience this ballet classic. There is no doubt that with talented dancers and an amazing storyline, this rendition of The Nutcracker will be an experience you’ll never forget!
Photo (top) source: saratogacityballet.com
Photo (cover and bottom) source: ashleywilburphotography.com
