Each and every year, more than 100,000 people across the world visit NYC for one thing and one thing alone: to see The Nutcracker. It is consistently one of the most popular ballets and the one most associated with the holiday season, having specifically been commissioned in 1890 by the Moscow Imperial Ballet to be performed around Christmas time. Participating in this tradition, Fort Hamilton High School’s Joffrey Dance program performed The Nutcracker once again from December 16th through to the 18th, 2024.
Rehearsals for the ballet began in the beginning of October, and according to Olivia Gomez, senior dancer in The Nutcracker and student in the Joffrey Dance program, this made the process more serious for many of the dancers.
“We had half the rehearsal time this year, so rehearsals had to be taken very seriously,” Gomez said. “We had to learn the material very quickly, and had to remember it and rehearse on our own because of there being a lot of spaces in between rehearsal dates.”
In spite of the stress, the dancers were not alone in putting on the show.
“Ms. Jaafar and Ms. Lessard planned everything perfectly and were also very supportive of us while doing their jobs,” Gomez added.
Various clubs helped to promote and support The Nutcracker, with clubs also being able to fundraise during intermission. Devin Moore, vice president of Fort Hamilton High School, noted that it helped show support for the dancers and the school at large.
“I hope we get even more clubs selling stuff in the lobby, and more people showing up to the shows,” she said.
All proceeds from ticket sales, however, went to the Joffrey Dance program, which is in its 12th year at Fort Hamilton. On this note, Moore added, “Through donations and funding, our school has done a great job at getting supplies and support for the dancers, as well as for the other teams and students here at Fort.”
When asked what she felt was the most enjoyable part of being part of The Nutcracker, Gomez who’d been a part of the Joffrey program since freshman year, replied that it was the uniqueness of new roles each year.
“Being able to have new parts and act out new characters each year is very fun, learning the different qualities of the different pieces and characters.”
This sentiment was also reflected by Moore, who commented on seeing her fellow senior friends perform, noting, “It shows how far they’ve come throughout their years at Fort Hamilton.”
