Center Dance version of The Nutcracker plays with tradition

The Amherst-based dance studio The Center held its winter performance of A 21st Century Nutcracker on December 9, filling the ARHS auditorium with crowds of people who ended up dancing along to the traditional African drumming and Tchaikovsky remixes coming from the stage.

The two shows, at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., featured a wide range of dancers, from children ages 5-6 skipping around as Snow Dogs in Act Two, up to adults performing in the party scene or dancing as the Winter Winds.

The performance was filled with many different groups performing a variety of dance styles, including a piece from the BIPOC ballet program, the flagship initiative of the Center. Both Indian and African dance, tap, and hip-hop were all involved in the show as well.

“I like the diversity of the dance styles [in The Center’s version of it],” said English teacher Marita Banda who takes adult classes at the dance school and has been involved in the Nutcracker for 3 years. “It’s nice to see the Nutcracker from a different perspective.” She first came across The Center when she moved back to Amherst and realized that her middle school friend Caddy and Caddy’s sister Ashley had opened up a dance studio.

Rehearsals lasted for about six weeks before the performance, with everyone rehearsing at once only a week before opening day. “I have two parts this year and the rehearsals are Wednesday and Thursday and Saturday,” said Disaya Davis. “They’re usually like maybe an hour and a half, two hours.”

As an ARHS junior, Davis has been involved with the Nutcracker since their very first production and enjoys putting in the work to make it all come together. This year she danced the part of a Snow Sprite and the Moon Goddess, the 21st century equivalent to the Dewdrop Fairy. 

The Center doesn’t just change the names of the characters or the style of dancing to make their story more modern. “With the history of ballet, everyone is used to the classical idea of ballet and it’s nice to see that you can make it more accessible. Ballet doesn’t have to be pink and tutus, it can be a variety of different skin tones and costumes,” said Banda.

The performance itself is not rigid in terms of choreography with students and teachers alike helping to create movements for the dancers. ARHS sophomore Hattie Holabird said she likes this portrayal of the Nutcracker “because it changes every year and is so exciting to watch.” Holabird first came across The Center when she was 6 and danced the parts of a Snow Sprite, Lead Cosmos, and Gaia. 

The music and costumes also made a difference, with performers dancing to an electric remix of The Sugar Plum Fairy while wearing sneakers and sparkly, reflective pants. During the African dance scene, three drummers were on stage alongside the dancers, who were dressed in traditional African clothing. 

The Center Dance seeks to expand the idea of ballet and people’s ideas about dance, working with their students from a young age to help them develop a strong love of dance and movement in general. As an innovative dance studio, they offer classes for the ‘curious mover’ and encourage their students to tell a story through their dancing. “There is something everyone can relate to,” said Banda.