Behind the Scenes with Gary Taylor Dance Company’s The Nutcracker
What is it like behind the scenes for the most iconic ballet of the holidays, The Nutcracker, with Gary Taylor Dance Company? Late rehearsals; a hodgepodge of regular clothing layered over tutus to stay warm until it’s time to dance; lots of stage makeup; and no shortage of magic. We were even told all the costumes in the show are handmade.
We did a Q & A with some of the dancers from Gary Taylor Dance Company. Here’s what they said.
Robert Mays (17): Cavalier, Rat King, Snow King, Licorice Lead and Chocolate Lead
How long have you danced in The Nutcracker?
“10 years.”
What is your favorite part of being in the show?
“Getting to perform alongside my best friends and getting to be a part of the community.”
What is it like dancing in the elaborate costumes?
“I used to be self conscious as a kid, but now I have a blast with it in whatever costume I’m in.”
What else can you tell us about being behind the scenes?
“Some people don’t understand how much time and effort goes into our rehearsals. There’s sacrifice that goes into it. Sometimes you have to sacrifice sleep and sometimes the girls even sacrifice toenails. The funny moments happen when people are really tired but know they have to keep going.”
Maggie Neller (15): Columbine Doll, Pastry Chef Lead, Tea Lead, Snow Corps, Marzipan Corps
How long have you danced in The Nutcracker?
“7 Years.”
What is your favorite part of being in the show?
“I like the feeling of knowing that I worked hard for it. I get to put on a great show for the community and see them get the magic out of it.”
On Being a Rat:
“Everyone has pretty much played a soldier or a rat at some point. It’s so much fun. You get to lose your ballet technique a bit. You can act silly and no one can see your face under the head.”
What is your favorite scene?
“The snow scene. The music is so pretty and everyone dancing together creates a blizzard effect.”
What else can you tell us about being behind the scenes?
“We started a tradition of gifts. For example, I’m Pastry Chef Lead so I could get sweet treats for that ensemble. We trade gifts around like that according to our roles.”
Chloe Isenhart (15): Dewdrop, Snow corps, Licorish Corps, Flower Corps, Chocolate Corps
How long have you danced in The Nutcracker?
“7 years.”
What is your favorite part of being in the show?
“Getting to see how happy everyone is after. It really does bring a sense of joy.”
What is it like being a ballerina?
“It’s amazing. Its great to be able to pursue something both physically and mentally that both you and other people will enjoy.”
On Being a Rat:
“When you’re a rat there’s lots of butt shaking, which sounds funny, but the audience gets to see the tails swinging around.”
What is your favorite costume?
“My favorite costume is the dewdrop tutu. The color and all the sparkles make it very pretty. Oh, and there’s a crown too.”
Nathan Burns (18): Drosselmeyer, Licorice Corps, Thorn
How long have you danced in The Nutcracker?
“6 or 7 years.”
What is your favorite part of being in the show?
“I love seeing the smiles from the audience, especially when we do sensory shows.”
What is your favorite scene?
“Battle scene because I love all the props. We have a cannon we roll on stage, swords. The costumes are elaborate too. It’s a very funny scene.”
What is it like dancing in the elaborate costumes?
“I played Rat King last year. It’s hard to see out of the head so you have to have a lot of trust in other people on stage.”
What was it like to play Rat King?
“He’s kind of this character you can let loose in. He’s erratic. His death scene always makes people laugh.”
What else can you tell us about being behind the scenes?
“A lot of people don’t know the makeup we do on stage is not normal makeup. It’s a lot. Guys, for example, have to accentuate our jaw lines otherwise we just look like we don’t have a jaw under the lights. We also have really quick changes so sometimes you’ll see two people helping someone get dressed and see us sprinting between scenes.”
Ailish O’Brien (20): Sugar Plum Fairy, Chocolate Lead and Flower Side Lead, Snow Corps
How long have you danced in The Nutcracker?
“This is my 15th Nutcracker but only 5th with Gary Taylor Dance Co.”
What is your favorite part of being in the show?
“My ultimate favorite part is watching the audience’s reaction in general. There’s always someone who hasn’t seen The Nutcracker before. Hearing the ‘oo’s’ and ‘aa’s’ is so rewarding.”
What is it like being backstage?
“Being backstage is a close second to being on stage. I’m always in awe at all the work put into the costumes and the set. Even the little kids act like professionals backstage. They have quick changes and make it work.”
What’s one of the silly things that happens backstage?
“Well, one of the weirdest things that happens backstage is you never know when you turn the corner if there’s gonna be a person in a rat head. It’s pretty funny but it’s always a jump scare.”
What else can you tell us about the show?
“I hope the audience knows that at Gary Taylor Dance we become such a family offstage that you can tell onstage. If you look closely, you may occasionally see us giving each other a side eye.”
Friday, Nov. 24 through Sunday, Nov. 26: Gary Taylor Dance’s “The Nutcracker” brings its 14th season to a series of shows at BPAC, including a sensory friendly performance. Get tickets.
