Seniors’ final ‘Nutcracker’ this weekend

Published 12:01 am Friday, December 20, 2019

In the words of senior Dalton Dance Company member Emily Allen, “I can’t wait to create Christmas magic alongside some of my closest friends.”

For the 10 area high school seniors dancing in “Nutcracker 2019,” this weekend is sure to be filled with both the magic and excitement of performances as well as a bit of sorrow and nostalgia as the curtain closes for the finale. They’ve performed together for years, sharing in both the struggles and triumphs that come with growing up. They’ve danced in the “Nutcracker” as Little Angels, Party Girls and Snowflakes, working together as a unit each year to create beautiful performances. From the first rehearsals in September to the final costume fitting, these senior dancers look forward to performing for their families and community and enjoying a bond that develops from countless hours of rehearsing, painful feet and joyous performances together.

Southeast Whitfield senior Emily Allen, daughter of Brian and Amy Allen, says she is excited for her last “Nutcracker.”

“I love being with my friends in the stage wings,” she said. “Even though we can’t talk, I feel like we are in tune with each other, silently encouraging and hope for the magic to come alive under the lights.”

Emily will be dancing the roles of Dewdrop, Snowflake, Spanish corps, Waltz of the Flowers and Mouse.

Katie Forrester is a senior at Northwest Whitfield and is the daughter of John and Melissa Forrester. Katie will be performing as an Arabian soloist and the Mouse King as well as a Snowflake, a Spring Flower, Spanish corps and a Party Mom. She says “Nutcracker” has always been her favorite time of year. It is the best way to start the Christmas season, she says.

“I’m sad that this is my last Nutcracker but I am so grateful to be dancing with this group of seniors whom I love as a family,” she said.

Dalton High senior Lily Claire Golden is the daughter of Renee and Joe Golden. She says, “‘Nutcracker’ has always been such a sweet tradition, and I will miss doing it each year. I love spending so much time with my dance sisters and creating our ‘Nutcracker’ memories!”

Lily Claire will be dancing the Dewdrop solo as well as a Flower, a Snowflake, a Spanish corps dancer and a Mouse and was highlighted as the Sugar Plum Fairy for the “Nutcracker” school performance for Dalton Public Schools’ fourth-graders.

Lily Halverson is the daughter of Jim and Brooke Halverson. She is a senior at Dalton High School and will be performing as an Arabian soloist, the Soldier Doll, Spanish Hot Chocolate, a Spring Flower, a Snowflake and as one of the Mouse King’s Hip Hop Mice. Lily says, “To me, ‘Nutcracker’ is a holiday tradition! Getting close to all of the seniors is going to make this year extra special. These girls are truly my best friends and I am so excited to be completing my dance journey with them by my side.”

Dalton High senior Hadley King will be performing as a Chinese soloist, Spanish Hot Chocolate, a Snowflake, a Flower and a Mouse. She is the daughter of Janet and Austin King. She says she loves making so many memories with her dance sisters during “Nutcracker.”

“Having danced in ‘Nutcracker’ for over 10 years has made me appreciate the gift that God gave me to dance and perform in front of other people,” she said. “Going into my last ‘Nutcracker’ is very bittersweet, but has made me think about all the things I have been blessed with. The millions of memories we have made together in ‘Nutcracker’ has shown me why I dance.”

Dalton High senior Emma Mitchell is the daughter of Maria and Mitch Mitchell. She says her favorite part of “Nutcracker” is that everyone is so selfless and supportive.

“Nutcracker is special to me because I feel like everyone displays a servant’s heart,” she said. “We help each other in any way that we can and we always encourage one another before going on stage.”

This year she will dance the role of the Grandma, Chinese Tea, Flower, Spanish and Snowflake.

Daughter of Rita and Chris Rehberg, Lily says one of her favorite “Nutcracker” memories was helping out the crew by riding on the bed through the cabinet and “it was awesome!”

“This year will be special because it’s the last time our class will dance the ‘Nutcracker’ together,” she said. “I have loved sharing the stage with these girls year after year!”

The Dalton High senior will be performing Harlequin, Chinese Tea Soloist, Mouse, Flower, Spanish corps and as a Snowflake.

Windel Ross, a senior at Dalton High, is the daughter of Tera and Matt Ross. In addition to performing as the Spanish soloist and as a life-size Soldier Doll, she will dance in the corps of Snow and Waltz of the Flowers. Windel says, “‘Nutcracker’ is always a Christmas tradition and gets everyone into the spirit. It’s so fun, yet so hard, and next year will be hard not doing it for the first time!”

Caroline Scoggins, a senior at Northwest Whitfield, says she can’t remember a Christmas without “Nutcracker.”

“From a little angel to a snowflake, the ‘Nutcracker’ has always been a part of my holiday season,” she said. “The way the music makes me feel is like being at Disney, it truly is magical!”

She is the daughter of Ryan and Julie Scoggins and will be dancing the Spanish soloist and as a Snowflake, a Flower, and a Mouse.

Daughter of John and Kay Wong, Dalton High senior Arden Wong says her favorite part of “Nutcracker” is spending so much time with her fellow dancers.

“As a dance company, we are a family, and ‘Nutcracker’ is a time to bond with my sisters through blood, sweat, tears and pure love for my best friends,” she said.

This year she will dance the roles of the Snow Queen, a Soldier Doll, a Snowflake, a Flower and in the Spanish Corps.

Come and see these seniors flurry and dance under the falling snow as snowflakes, and waltz and bloom on the stage as spring flowers for the last time. Dalton Arts Project’s “Nutcracker” 2019 continues this weekend with performances today at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Dalton High theater, 1500 Manly St. Tickets are $13-$18. Bring one can of food for the local food bank and get $1 off your ticket price. Call Dalton Arts Project at (706) 529-ARTS for more information.