DWC's Best Nutcracker Gifts
Everyone’s favorite time of the year is finally upon us: Nutcracker season! Around the Seattle area, hundreds of dancers are preparing for their annual performances of The Nutcracker, getting ready to entertain audiences of all sizes and make unforgettable memories. To get in the spirit, we’ve put together a list of our favorite Nutcracker-themed products being sold at Dancewear Center. From fun scrunchies and storybooks, to ornate leotards and ornaments, any of the items on this list would make superb holiday or performance gifts for your favorite Nutcracker performers.
By Madison Huizinga, DWC Blog Editor
Everyone’s favorite time of the year is finally upon us: Nutcracker season! Around the Seattle area, hundreds of dancers are preparing for their annual performances of The Nutcracker, getting ready to entertain audiences of all sizes and make unforgettable memories. To get in the spirit, we’ve put together a list of our favorite Nutcracker-themed products being sold at Dancewear Center. From fun scrunchies and storybooks, to ornate leotards and ornaments, any of the items on this list would make superb holiday or performance gifts for your favorite Nutcracker performers.
Motionwear Nutcracker Hoodies, Crewnecks, and Tank Tops
During the winter months, it’s even more crucial for dancers to bundle up and stay warm when they train and rehearse. Fortunately, Motionwear has dancers covered with their line of Nutcracker hoodies, crewnecks, and tank tops. Check out the preppy “Nutcracker Academy”crewneck, spirited “Was it a dream” tank, laid-back “Nutcracker on Duty” hoodie, and more at Dancewear Center.
Dance de Paris Nutcracker Sweet Leotard
The “Nutcracker Sweet” line by Dance de Paris features products adorned with a celebratory Nutcracker print, displaying characters from the production, like Clara, The Nutcracker Prince, and the Rat King. This woman-owned business has the “sweetest” leotards for the holiday season.
Ainsliewear Mesh Shoe Bag with Snow Nutcracker Print
Woman-owned dancewear company Ainsiliewear is known for producing high-quality products with elegant and fashion-foward designs. Their line of Nutcracker products certainly keeps with this theme. Ainsliewear’s “Snow Nutcracker” print depicts the iconic “Snow” scene in The Nutcracker, featuring dazzling “snowflake” ballerinas twirling throughout the sky with wrapped presents. Check out this print on the mesh shoe bags at Dancewear Center.
Covet Dance Nutcracker’s Back Tote
With an increased number of rehearsals and performances during Nutcracker season, dancers will need to carry many items with them to rehearsals and shows. This punny tote should give you and the entire cast a good chuckle. It's great for rehearsals and for dragging along your dance gear, laptop, tablet, etc. as you shuffle back and forth to rehearsals and the studio during Nutcracker season. From woman-owned dancewear brand, Covet, it’s a perfect holiday or pre-performance gift for your favorite dancer.
“Nutcracker Dancing Shapes” Book from Once Upon a Dance
Local small business Once Upon a Dance produces educational and entertaining dance and movement books for children of a range of ages. The brand is especially known for its “Dancing Shapes” books, which outline different dance poses for children to learn and follow. The “Nutcracker Dancing Shapes” book adds a festive spin on the series, providing readers with twenty-five different Nutcracker roles to follow.
“The Nutcracker Practice and Play Book” by Russian Pointe
One of the most endearing and exciting parts of The Nutcracker is the story itself. Who doesn’t want to follow Clara’s journey as she ventures through an enchanted, snowy forest and the Land of Sweets? “The Nutcracker Practice and Play Book” from Russian Pointe is the perfect gift for a youngster who enjoys ballet and allows for yet another fun and stimulating way to engage with the iconic plotline.
Cloud & Victory “Winter is Coming” T-Shirt
Cloud and Victory is a small, woman-owned business known for its charming and stylish graphic T-shirts, leotards, and other dancewear products and accessories. The brand’s “Winter is Coming” T-shirt is the perfect gift for a dancer who loves Game of Thrones, as it depicts characters from the fantasy series as characters in The Nutcracker.
The Nutcracker has become an important part of how many families celebrate the holiday season. Commemorate its significance with some of DWC’s favorite Nutcracker products - whether it’s gifting them to others or yourself, they're sure to add a pinch of magic to your dancing and holiday experience.
Tips for Preparing for Nutcracker Season
Growing up, Nutcracker season was one of the most magical and exciting times of the year. The giggles backstage with my friends, the swelling of my heart as I’d listen to the beloved music, and the adrenaline in my chest as I graced the stage were truly unbeatable sensations. While performing in a production of The Nutcracker is undoubtedly an exhilarating experience, it can also be an incredibly stressful one. Not to mention, this is many dancers’ first time performing in front of a live audience in a while, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s understandable if people are feeling a little extra overwhelmed and nervous this time of the year! From organizing costumes, managing your time, taking care of your body amid numerous performances, and staying mentally healthy, there is certainly a lot to oversee. Fortunately, there are steps we can take to ensure we’re putting our best foot forward this Nutcracker season.
By Madison Huizinga, DWC Blog Editor
“Nutcracker season is a thrilling time of the year, a time when some of the best dance memories are made. Making sure you’re organized and effectively taking care of your body and mind makes it that much more magical and enjoyable. Happy Nutcracker season to all!”
Photo by Kazuo Ota from Unsplash
Growing up, Nutcracker season was one of the most magical and exciting times of the year. The giggles backstage with my friends, the swelling of my heart as I’d listen to the beloved music, and the adrenaline in my chest as I graced the stage were truly unbeatable sensations. While performing in a production of The Nutcracker is undoubtedly an exhilarating experience, it can also be an incredibly stressful one. Not to mention, this is many dancers’ first time performing in front of a live audience in a while, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s understandable if people are feeling a little extra overwhelmed and nervous this time of the year! From organizing costumes, managing your time, taking care of your body amid numerous performances, and staying mentally healthy, there is certainly a lot to oversee. Fortunately, there are steps we can take to ensure we’re putting our best foot forward this Nutcracker season.
Before the performances even begin, there is a great deal of energy put towards preparing for The Nutcracker. A big part of this preparation is making sure you have all the tools and materials you need to be successful - I’m talking about costumes, pointe shoes, snacks, water, and more. There is nothing worse than showing up to the theatre the day of your performance and realizing you’ve left your hairpiece at home or have a run in the only pair of tights you brought. To prevent this from happening, create a checklist a few days before your dress rehearsal or performance to ensure you don’t leave anything behind. Some important items to include on your checklist could be functional pointe shoes, a sewing kit, ballet flats, an extra pair of tights or two, warm-ups, a foam roller, hairnets, hair ties, bobby pins, makeup, warm-up clothes, snacks, water, and (importantly) all pieces of your costume. Creating this list a few days in advance of your performance is helpful, so you have plenty of time to find or purchase the items you need.
Photo by Kazuo Ota from Unsplash
Each year, most dancers perform in several performances of The Nutcracker, sometimes spanning several weekends. This is a lot of dancing! Especially after the break many dancers took in 2020, this much performance time may understandably take a toll on your body, leaving your muscles feeling sore. Post-rehab Specialist Leah Bueno, also known as @thepilatesdancer on Instagram, writes that “added rehearsals and performances can leave the body vulnerable to injuries.” Thus, she advises dancers to warm up every time they dance, making sure they warm their bodies back up if they haven’t been dancing for 20 minutes. This is a particularly important tip, considering The Nutcracker can involve a lot of starts and stops. Bueno also recommends dancers spend extra time on recovery, involving self-massage, exercises that reset the body, and getting a good night’s sleep. Finally, Bueno says dancers should “seek support if something hurts,” pointing out that prioritizing your health now can prevent less time away from the studio in the future.
Finally, in addition to staying organized and physically healthy, it’s also important to keep your mind mentally healthy throughout Nutcracker season. Performance season can be a stressful time for everyone. I remember during my Nutcracker performances growing up, I would get so stressed out that I would sometimes snap at my family members, friends, and instructors, as my intense focus on my performances kept me from being mindful about my behavior. I also held myself to a strict performance standard, emotionally berating myself every time I faltered onstage. One year, when I was performing a solo as the Sugar Plum Fairy, I slipped and fell on my behind - I was mortified and let my shame eat me up.
As much as we try, it’s near impossible for every performance to turn out exactly how we want it to. Tiny slip-ups are bound to happen here and there, most of which may not even be caught by the audience. We must take our performances seriously and strive to be the best dancers we can be, but also, have a sense of humor when things don’t turn out exactly as expected. After all, it’s the holiday season, an exciting time to celebrate with friends and family.
Photo by Gaelle Marcel from Unsplash
When you feel your stress building up, instead of intensely internalizing it or blurting out something you regret to one of your loved ones, try taking some deep breaths to relieve some of the tension you’re experiencing. Instead of fixating on your fear of messing up on stage, shift your mind to all the positive, exciting things about The Nutcracker season, including getting the chance to perform on stage, be around friends, and show off your dance training. I also find it helpful to write down or speak some positive affirmations about myself aloud before I begin a stressful endeavor. If you are feeling good about yourself and believe you can succeed, you’re setting yourself up for a great performance!
Nutcracker season is a thrilling time of the year, a time when some of the best dance memories are made. Making sure you’re organized and effectively taking care of your body and mind makes it that much more magical and enjoyable. Happy Nutcracker season to all!
Local Nutcrackers Performances to Check Out This Holiday Season!
The almost comprehensive local Nutcracker performance list! Nutcracker season is a thrilling time of the year, a time when some of the best dance memories are made. Making sure you’re organized and effectively taking care of your body and mind makes it that much more magical and enjoyable. Happy Nutcracker season to all! If you would like to be featured on our list email us at info@dancewearcenter.net
By Emma Neilson, DWC Social Media Manager
If you have a Nutcracker performance you would like to have listed please email us at info@dancewearcenter.net
Photo by Kazuo Ota from Unsplash
“Nutcracker season is a thrilling time of the year, a time when some of the best dance memories are made. Making sure you’re organized and effectively taking care of your body and mind makes it that much more magical and enjoyable. Happy Nutcracker season to all!”
Ensemble Ballet Theatre- https://www.ticketsource.us/ensemble-ballet-theatre/e-jgovkp
ARC Dance- https://arcdance.org/
Port Angeles City Ballet/ Sylvia Joyce Wanner School of Ballet- https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?actions=10&p=1
Ballet Arts Academy- https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/pbaa-nutcracker-suite-2023-2649309
Evergreen City Ballet- https://www.evergreencityballet.org/the-nutcracker
Body Language Studio- https://www.blsdance.com/
Emerald Ballet Academy- https://www.emeraldballet.org/#
The Dance School- The Dance School presents: The Nutcracker ✨https://www.thedanceschool.org/the-nutcracker/
Land of Sweets Matinee
Saturday, December 9, 2023
4:00pm-4:45pm
Free 45-minute Sensory Friendly & Child Friendly Matinee performance
The Nutcracker
Saturday, December 9, 2023
7:00pm-9:00pm
General admission: $14
Children 6 and under: free
Academy of Dance- December 16 @ 5pm & December 17 @ 1pm at Central Kitsap Performing Arts Center. http://www.ckschools.org/tickets
Northwest School of Dance- email nwschoolofdance@yahoo.com.
Auburn CDT- We are producing our 11th production of the nutcracker and our performance will be in Fife, WA on Dec 8th and 9th! Ticket Link: https://childrensdancetheater.com/tickets/
Children’s Dance Theater in Auburn and Federal Way, WA is producing its 11th annual production of The Nutcracker. Our show is true to the classic ballet, while also being modern and culturally relevant. We celebrate our students diversity and cast anyone and everyone who auditions. There are no professional dancers hired to be in our show. All of the parts cast, including the major lead roles, are all local students who train rigorously.
Our show will be on December 8th and 9th at 7pm and December 9th at 2pm at Columbia Jr High School in Tacoma, WA. Tickets to our show start at $20 a piece. Tickets can be purchased online at https://childrensdancetheater.com/tickets/
Studio West- Studio West Dance Theatre - The Washington Center for the Performing Arts washingtoncenter.org
Whidbey Island Dance Theatre- https://www.widtonline.org/
Ferndale Dance- https://ferndaledance.org/performances/
Bainbridge Dance Center- https://bainbridge-ballet.ticketleap.com/bb-nutcracker-2023/
Duvall Performing Arts-
What is it?: Duvall Performing Arts proudly presents The Nutcracker! Directed and staged by Dañela Lewis. Journey with Clara and her Nutcracker Prince on an unforgettable adventure in the Land of Sweets. Watch as snowflakes dance, flowers waltz, and the sweetest delights come to life! In this family-oriented, 90 minute production, you’ll enjoy enchanting choreography, dazzling costume design, and the timeless music of Tchaikovsky.
Join us for this annual holiday tradition and make special memories to last a lifetime.
When is it?:
Dec 8th: 7pm
Dec 9th: 2pm + 7pm
Dec 10th: 2pm
Dec 17th: 2pm + 7pm
Where is it?: Cedarcrest High School Theater (29000 NE 150th St, Duvall, WA, 98019 US)
Tickets: Ticket link: https://duvallperformingarts.regfox.com/landing-page-rf?fbclid=PAAaaYHV2fDeSZtxEYuy40xN3j_JVNK87G7atYC0WEAcKjAjIz-GH_AaobJro
Dance Fremont-
Dance Fremont presents the 28th annual production of The Steadfast Tin Soldier, A Story Ballet. Join us for a holiday extravaganza that delights all ages with a tender retelling of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale.
The ballet includes the work of a number of local visual artists and features talented young dancers from Dance Fremont. Enjoyable for all ages, its length of 1 hour and 15 minutes makes it a perfect introduction to the theater for young audience members! Colorfully hand-tailored costumes, locally designed and hand-painted scenery, a cast of fifty young dancers, and an ensemble of musicians come together to present this charming holiday dance event.
Enjoy original choreography by Vivian Little, director emerita of Dance Fremont with music and lyrics by composer Kathleen Mills, who conducts the live The Steadfast Tin Soldier Ensemble. Signing in Exact English (S.E.E.) has been incorporated into the choreography to make this performance accessible for the hearing impaired. The show's content is delightful and appropriate for all ages.
Masks are encouraged but not required.
December 9 & 10, 2023
Saturday, December 9th at 2:00 & 7:30
Sunday, December 10th at 2:00
Shorecrest Performing Arts Center: 15343 25th Ave NE, Shoreline (Free Parking!)
Suggested Donation: $25 Adults, $15 Students & Seniors
Tickets: purplepass.com/steadfast OR https://www.purplepass.com/#268648/Dance_Fremont-The_Steadfast_Tin_Soldier,_A_Story_Ballet-Shorecrest_Performing_Arts_Center-December-09-2023.html
Dance Conservatory Seattle- https://www.danceconservatoryseattle.com/?fbclid=PAAaYDTVPrCFlK6pPY52dmFjd9hWv4G85eiPQR8lLjs_I9bB1qXOjN2ClpcQA_aem_ATiYR7mD4TuHA_N0fYM5QoIfyB9-3-ydp_oEgjaQcQOYYGTb9SyR3im3REg_RSaZ4vI
Momentum Dance Academy-
Join our Contemporary, Hip Hop, Irish, Jazz, Tap, Theatre, and Creative Dance dancers for a festive seasonal celebration on Friday, December 22nd, 2023, and Saturday December 23rd, 2023 at 6:00 pm (seating opens at 5:30 pm). Highline Performing Arts Center
Pacific Northwest Ballet- https://www.pnb.org/nutcracker/
And digital- https://order.pnb.org/24-digital/nutcracker
Flight Feathers Ballet presents The Nutcracker:
Show #1: Friday, December 15th
Show Time: 6:00 - 8:15PM
Show #2: Saturday, December 16th
Show Time: 4:00 - 6:15PM
Venue: Glacier Peak High School Auditorium (7401 144th Pl SE, Snohomish, WA)
Ticket Link for the Nutcracker:
Short Info:
Step into a magical world where tradition meets modernity in Flight Feathers Ballet's full production of the Nutcracker. Our adaptation weaves the classical beauty of the Ballet Masterpiece with a modern twist, for an evening of pure elegance, excitement and renovation.
Opus Performing Arts: https://www.opusbellingham.com/?fbclid=PAAaaaWw2w8gO_IIq6hC8tqzmBAveuRC3Cgl25Ey8bK3L-qGfQDF9Rhua489s_aem_AQ3klwb9GAkvtF9-XQ3DlzF-o7WXBdx5x-olc-39BozcKn_HUakaGVQ4SNBy6DgYNms
DassDance-
December 2nd at 6:30pm
December 3rd at 2pm
Fidalgo Dance Works-Friday, December 8th at 7:00 and Saturday December 9th at 2:00 and 7:00
Brodnick Hall. Anacortes WA
Tickets can be purchased at https://www.fidalgodanceworks.org/news-events/nutcracker2023-tickets
Performance Dates:
December 2nd at 2pm and 7pm
December 3rd at 3pmPerformance Venue:
Bremerton High School Performing Arts Center
1500 13th Street, Bremerton
Olympic Ballet Theatre
Dec 8-10 in Everett (Dec 8 is an abridged matinee) Everett Performing Arts Center
Dec 14-20 in Edmonds (Dec 14 & 15 are abridged matinees. There is also a full performance in the evening of Dec 15) Edmonds Center for the Arts
Tacoma City Ballet Dec 9, 10, 16, 17, 23.
If you have a Nutcracker performance you would like to have listed please email us at info@dancewearcenter.net
Our Top 5 Ballet Villains
The clouds are getting darker, the leaves are turning orange, and there’s a chill that’s been lingering in the air. You know what that means: it’s spooky season. For most of us dancers, dressing up in dazzling costumes is just another day in the office. Nevertheless, when Halloween time comes around, I can hardly contain my excitement. So what better way to celebrate the Halloween spirit than to count down some of our favorite ballet villains! From sorcerers and fairies to rats and royalty, this list is chock full of ballet’s best scoundrels. Read on to find out my evil top picks from some ballet classics.
By Madison Huizinga, DWC Blog Editor
The clouds are getting darker, the leaves are turning orange, and there’s a chill that’s been lingering in the air. You know what that means: it’s spooky season. For most of us dancers, dressing up in dazzling costumes is just another day in the office. Nevertheless, when Halloween time comes around, I can hardly contain my excitement. So what better way to celebrate the Halloween spirit than to count down some of our favorite ballet villains! From sorcerers and fairies to rats and royalty, this list is chock full of ballet’s best scoundrels. Read on to find out my evil top picks from some ballet classics.
5. Rat King
Photo of the Rat King in The Nutcracker by Liza Voll, from the Boston Ballet
This list would be incomplete without one of the most iconic ballet villains of all time: the Rat King. The Rat King is a part of the beloved holiday classic The Nutcracker and stirs up havoc by battling The Nutcracker with his evil troupe of rats and mice. With so many variations of The Nutcracker, have come many different interpretations of the villain. In some productions, there’s a Rat Queen, or in the Balanchine version, a multi-headed Rat King. Considering that the Rat King isn’t present throughout the entire production, he’s relegated to the bottom of the list. Nonetheless, The Nutcracker wouldn’t be the same without him!
Photo of Amy Harris as the Stepmother in Cinderella, photo by Lynette Wills. From The Australian Ballet
4. Stepmother
From the pages of storybooks to the stages of theatres, the stepmother from Cinderella is a ruthless villain through and through. Much like in the literary and film versions of the story, in the ballet Cinderella, the stepmother forces her stepdaughter Cinderella to be her family’s servant. Something a bit different about the ballet version of the fairy tale is that the stepmother tries to fit into Cinderella’s slipper at the end of the ballet herself. The stepmother may not have any flashy powers or flamboyance to her personality, but her demeanor towards Cinderella is utterly heartless, making her a true villain.
Photo of Gillian Revie as Carabosse in The Sleeping Beauty, photo by Jeff Busby. From The Australian Ballet
3. Carabosse
Coming in at number three is Carabosse, the evil fairy from The Sleeping Beauty. Carabosse ranks high on this list as her source of villainy comes from out of sheer pettiness, which makes her character quite amusing. When Carabosse isn’t invited to Princess Aurora’s christening by King Florestan XXIV and the Queen, she is fiercely upset and puts a curse on Aurora to prick her finger on a spindle and die on her sixteenth birthday. How bitter! Fortunately, the Lilac Fairy changes the curse from death to a 100-year slumber, but regardless, Carabosse certainly puts a damper on things with her wickedness.
Photo of Thomas Whitehead as Rothbart in Swan Lake, photo by Bill Cooper. From The Royal Ballet
2. Rothbart
Second place goes to Rothbart from Swan Lake, a cunning owl-like sorcerer who curses the maiden Odette to be a swan by day until she can find a man who’s never loved before to love her forever. A complicated and wicked curse indeed. The villain is portrayed in different forms in different productions, including a human form and a reptilian form, but in most, he remains an owl-like creature. Rothbart’s eccentric costume and flair make him one of the more exciting villains to watch on stage.
Ako Kondo as Myrtha in Giselle, photo by Jeff Busby. From The Australian Ballet
1. Myrtha
And finally, first place goes to the one and only Myrtha from Giselle. Maybe it’s because Giselle is my favorite ballet (or because it’s one of the spookiest ballets) but regardless Myrtha is one of the most fierce ballet villains of all time. She is the leader of The Wilis, the ghostly spirits of maidens who have been betrayed by their lovers. Considering Myrtha is literally a ghost, she reigns supreme in terms of ballet villains.
Antagonizing as they may be, ballets would be nothing without their villains. They stir up trouble, serve some menacing looks, and allow the heroes to prevail at the end (most of the time). Whether you’re watching some YouTube videos of these favorite villains, or channeling them in your Halloween costumes, we hope you have a hauntingly good spooky season!
How has your identity affected you in the dance world?
I am Anna Ricketts, a sixteen-year-old dancer at Fidalgo Dance Works. I currently identify as a cisgender, omnisexual woman. If you don’t know what that means, it means that I am attracted to people of all genders and orientations. Fortunately, my dance studio is very accepting of people in the LGBTQ+ community. Overall, I feel very loved and accepted there. Although I feel accepted at my studio, the journey to feeling careless about what others think about my orientation took a long time.
By Anna Ricketts (she/they), DWC Blog Contributor
I am Anna Ricketts, a sixteen-year-old dancer at Fidalgo Dance Works. I currently identify as a cisgender, omnisexual woman. If you don’t know what that means, it means that I am attracted to people of all genders and orientations. Fortunately, my dance studio is very accepting of people in the LGBTQ+ community. Overall, I feel very loved and accepted there. Although I feel accepted at my studio, the journey to feeling careless about what others think about my orientation took a long time.
I never knew a lot about the LGBTQ+ community until middle school. I started attending GSA meetings and thinking to myself “Who am I?”. Figuring out my sexuality was not an easy task and it was extremely challenging mentally. I felt scared, alone, worthless, confused, and stressed. These mental challenges with exploring my identity and the troubles with everything else in life critically affected my dance life. This affected my dance life especially since I never really saw professional dancers on social media who were a part of the community. I felt that I was never going to be able to dance professionally in the future, which had been my only dream in life since I was very young. The mental turmoil made me want to quit dancing. It made me want to quit trying in life. However, as I grew older, figured out my sexuality, and found a place of peace in my mind, those thoughts and feelings went away. I stopped caring what other people thought about me and started thinking more about how I can start loving myself and giving back to myself.
Seeing more and more queer dancers on social media has also helped me gain confidence in my dancing. These dancers inspire me to continue growing and learning the art of dance. One important dancer to mention is Ashton Edwards. Ever since I read that they started dancing with PNB, I have been inspired. Seeing them dance onstage a few times has also been extremely inspiring. Another inspiration is Merce Cunningham. Merce Cunningham was a dancer and choreographer who helped shape modern dance into what it is today. He was a part of the LGBTQ+ community and was very inspiring to hundreds of people around the world. Having these inspirational dancers to look up to and having friends and family to support me helped with my journey extraordinarily. Growing up not knowing about many LGBTQ+ dancers made me feel alone. I want to change this for the future generations of dancers to come. I want to show them that it is okay to identify with the LGBTQ+ community. You can become a professional dancer and be a part of the community. You are worthy of acceptance and happiness.
If you are struggling with your identity just understand that you are not alone. There are so many other people around the world who struggle with figuring out their orientations. Having people who inspire you and help support you will make your journey less stressful and challenging. It is normal to feel confused, sad, and scared. Growing up not knowing about many LGBTQ+ dancers made me feel alone and frightened. I wanted to give up on everything including dance. Now that I have gotten through that really long path, I want to help change the future generations of queer dancers to come. I want to show them that it is okay to identify with the LGBTQ+ community. You can work in the dance/performing arts industry and be a part of the community. You are worthy of acceptance and happiness. The journey may be difficult, but I believe in you. There are people around you that believe in you and love you.
Disclaimer
All content found on the Dancewear Center Website, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and all other relevant social media platforms including: text, images, audio, or other formats were created for informational purposes only. Offerings for continuing education credits are clearly identified and the appropriate target audience is identified. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911 immediately. Dancewear Center does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on dancewearcenter.net. Reliance on any information provided by dancewearcenter.net, Dancewear Center employees, contracted writers, or medical professionals presenting content for publication to Dancewear Center is solely at your own risk.
Links to educational content not created by Dancewear Center are taken at your own risk. Dancewear Center is not responsible for the claims of external websites and education companies.
Self Discovery in Life & Dance
When Birgitte was 6 years old, she started taking a ballet class. She shares that she took the classes, had the recital and she shares that that experience woke the little ballerina in her. After that class she kept begging with her parents to take more classes, but they didn’t allow her to. She ended up taking some ballet classes for her P.E. credit in college and she shares that she loved it but it was absolutely terrifying. At 53 years old was when Birgitte finally fulfilled her dream to become a ballerina. Birgitte started with one to two classes per week and within 6 months she was taking fourteen classes and was en pointe. Since then, she hasn’t stopped dancing and loves what she does.
An Interview with Dancer & Teacher Birgitte Necessary
Pronunciation: Bi-gee-ta Ne-ses-aerie | Pronouns: she/they
By Samantha Weissbach, DWC Owner & General Manager and Nicole Barrett, DWC Blog Editor
Here at Dancewear Center, we love to highlight local dancers and teachers that relate to our message. We got the opportunity to speak with one of them, Birgitte Necessary who is a local dancer! Read on to learn more about Birgitte’s dancing journey and how her identity affects them in the dance world!
When Birgitte was 6 years old, she started taking a ballet class. She shares that she took the classes, had the recital and she shares that that experience woke the little ballerina in her. After that class she kept begging with her parents to take more classes, but they didn’t allow her to. She ended up taking some ballet classes for her P.E. credit in college and she shares that she loved it but it was absolutely terrifying. At 53 years old was when Birgitte finally fulfilled her dream to become a ballerina. Birgitte started with one to two classes per week and within 6 months she was taking fourteen classes and was en pointe. Since then, she hasn’t stopped dancing and loves what she does.
Birgitte came out as non-binary during the pandemic and shares that all she really thought about was training and dancing and didn’t associate her new identity with dance yet. She shares that she was just doing what she was taught before which was existing in the binary of dance. Coming out as non-binary made her feel a little rough around the edges and made her think of how she was going to represent and be herself in this world that she loves. Now thinking about it more, she worries about how much she is represented in the studio and struggles with how much she should really worry about this.
We loved getting a chance to speak with Birgitte! Be sure to check out the rest of their interview down below!
Disclaimer
All content found on the Dancewear Center Website, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and all other relevant social media platforms including: text, images, audio, or other formats were created for informational purposes only. Offerings for continuing education credits are clearly identified and the appropriate target audience is identified. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911 immediately. Dancewear Center does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on dancewearcenter.net. Reliance on any information provided by dancewearcenter.net, Dancewear Center employees, contracted writers, or medical professionals presenting content for publication to Dancewear Center is solely at your own risk.
Links to educational content not created by Dancewear Center are taken at your own risk. Dancewear Center is not responsible for the claims of external websites and education companies.
Journey & Identity Through Dance
Pride month is upon us and what better way to celebrate pride than to highlight queer dancers in the Seattle community! We got the opportunity to speak with local teacher and dancer Annie St. Marie about their experience with the dance and LGBTQIA+ community. Read on to learn more about Annie’s dancing journey and their identity in the dance world!
An Interview with Dancer & Teacher Annie St. Marie
By Samantha Weissbach, DWC Owner & General Manager and Nicole Barrett, DWC Blog Editor
Pride month is upon us and what better way to celebrate pride than to highlight queer dancers in the Seattle community! We got the opportunity to speak with local teacher and dancer Annie St. Marie about their experience with the dance and LGBTQIA+ community. Read on to learn more about Annie’s dancing journey and their identity in the dance world!
Annie started dancing when they were 4 years old. Their first experience with dance was at a local community center in Seattle and then moved to the American Dance Institute in Greenwood. They share that their neighbor across the street also danced there and went on to audition for Pacific Northwest Ballet. Annie says that they thought to themself “If they can, why can’t I!” and auditioned there as well. They initially got into PNB and danced there from ages 8 to 17. Annie trained very extensively in various different styles of ballet and Horton technique and shares that it was a great experience.
After consideration from their family, they decided to stop training at PNB when they were 17 and continued doing musical theater that they had done all throughout high school. Then when Annie was a senior they decided that they wanted to keep dancing and applied to Cornish College of the Arts. After not attending initially after their senior year, they did Cornish’s three year program and graduated in 2018. Since graduating, Annie has been teaching at various studios, performing and taking classes as much as they can.
Annie uses he/she/they pronouns and shares that they identify as non-binary which can affect the way they are seen in the dance world. They share that people can assume their gender or pronouns being she/her or that they present feminine which they share isn’t great. Now that they have found places where they are accepted they share that it is better, but growing up in the ballet world, there are lots of specific gender roles. Females are supposed to curtsey and males are supposed to bow and Annie tries in their classes to eliminate those gender roles as much as they can.
Annie shares that they have lots of things coming up for them in the next few months! Annie currently teaches a ballet/contemporary class at Westlake Dance Center in Shoreline every Saturday. They will also be teaching some master classes throughout the summer and just performed at the Seattle International Dance festival with Coalescence Dance Company. In September they are performing in a show called A Night In Paris which is taking place in Leavenworth. Lastly, in the fall they will be teaching some adult intermediate ballet classes and modern classes at eXit Space.
We are so happy that we had the opportunity to speak with Annie! Be sure to follow them on Instagram here and check out the rest of their interview on YouTube!
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Living My Truth Out Loud: Embracing Human Expression
“Human expression on the most natural level is non-binary,” said Ashton Edwards, former Dancewear Center (DWC) Ambassador, in an interview for the DWC Blog. Ashton is a dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet, and an exquisite one. I’ve been following them on Instagram since they partnered with the DWC ambassador program in 2020. They inspire me and give me hope because when I was growing up, queer dancers were invisible.
By Brittni Bryan, Former DWC Ambassador
“Human expression on the most natural level is non-binary”
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“Human expression on the most natural level is non-binary,” said Ashton Edwards, former Dancewear Center (DWC) Ambassador, in an interview for the DWC Blog. Ashton is a dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet, and an exquisite one. I’ve been following them on Instagram since they partnered with the DWC Ambassador program in 2020. They inspire me and give me hope because when I was growing up, queer dancers were invisible.
In 2009, the year I graduated high school, Nigel Lythgoe of So You Think You Can Dance infamously and harshly critiqued a pair of same-sex ballroom auditionees saying, “I think you’d probably alienate a lot of our audience. We’ve always had the guys dance together on the show, but they’ve never really done it in each other’s arm’s before. I’m certainly one of those people that really like to see guys be guys and girls be girls on stage,” Nigel said. I watched the episode when it originally aired, sitting in my first girlfriend’s basement bedroom. We weren’t dating yet. Neither of us were out yet, and in fact, I hadn’t even realized I was in love with her yet. But, I remember watching that episode with her and I remember being upset. That was the representation I got: a pair of ballroom dancers condemned for their sexuality on national television— their technique and talent mostly ignored. The focus was on the binary of traditional partnering pairs and how this pairing was abnormal in comparison.
In December of 2012, Washington state became one of the first three states in the US to legally recognize gay marriage through popular vote. I was living in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood at the time, finishing up my bachelor’s degree at Seattle University. I still wasn’t fully out, but my roommate and I walked to the Pike/Pine corridor where people celebrated this long fought for human right on the streets, the excitement frenzied and palpable. The next year, I started dancing for a local production company on Capitol Hill. It was a queer-run dinner theater that primarily found success in hosting 21st birthdays and bachelorette parties. I danced there on and off for four years. During that time, gay marriage was federally legalized in the United States. At some point, I choreographed a “romantic” lyrical/contemporary routine for myself and one of our male dancers. We needed an understudy but none of our other male dancers could execute the technique, so I suggested one of the other girls should understudy. Our owner and director, a gay man, agreed, saying it would be okay for a female to understudy the male part because it would be artistic, not sexual or romantic. But what if it was sexual and romantic, and why couldn’t it be? Just a few years later, the male-presenting dancer I originally partnered with began her transition from a male-presenting body to a female-presenting body. The whole time, I had been dancing with a woman anyway.
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It was not until 2019 that I saw anything in the dance world that validated my sexuality. Kiara Felder, 29, of Les Grands Ballet and formerly a principal with Atlanta Ballet, was interviewed by Dance Magazine for an article on Pride and dance. In a section called, “Could I Be a Ballet Dancer and Be a Lesbian”, Felder discusses the fractured relationship between her sexuality and her professional dance career. She describes how she stayed in the closet at the beginning of her career, “worried that she'd lose her scholarship at PNB [our very own Pacific Northwest Ballet] if the administration found out she was gay”. As she continued her career and moved to Atlanta, she found her community amongst some of the gay male dancers. However, she still struggled to find other queer women in dance. Her struggle, my struggle, and probably the struggle of many young, queer, female dancers, revolved around representation. Felder said, “Without representation, I started to feel this pressure and fear. "Could I be a ballet dancer and be lesbian?". Lesbian stereotypes focus on the masculinity of gay women: softball players, basketball players, soccer players, etc. Athletic gay women are stereotypically found in male-dominated sports, not in the feminine world of ballet. Except that we are. We’re here, and the outdated, binaried beliefs in dance are keeping us in the closet.
This brings us full circle back to Ashton in 2021. Ashton is breaking gender boundaries in the very same ballet company that Felder was afraid to come out in. They are the first biologically male dancer to study en pointe with Pacific Northwest Ballet and train in traditionally female roles. And they are only eighteen! Ashton is just at the beginning of their career, and I cannot wait to see how the dance community evolves as queer dancers continue to find themselves mirrored in dancers like Ashton or Kiara Felder or Alonso Guzman or Travis Wall or Ashley Yergens or Emma Portner or Nick Lazzarini or James Whiteside or Kyle Abraham or Mollee Gray and her partner Jeka Jane.
I finally came out in 2016, but sometimes I still feel uncomfortable being openly queer today. But then I see Ashton, living their truth out loud in one of the best ballet companies on the West Coast, and I see how much things have changed since I was eighteen. I’m excited to continue to see dance embrace non-binaried castings and non-binaried expressions because Ashton is right, human expression is not inherently binaried. We’ve just made it that way.
So, what can we do to help society accept dance as a non-binaried art form?
One way we can help is by normalizing same-sex partnering and supporting artists who choreograph duets between partners of the same sex, particularly ones with themes of intimacy or romance. Examples include Lauren Lovette’s pas de deux between Preston Chamberlee and Taylor Stanley in the ballet “Not Our Fate,” Justin Peck’s same sex pairing in “The Times Are Racing,” and Joshua Beamish’s work in “Saudade”. When audiences only see romantic duets performed between a man and a woman, it perpetuates the dominant idea that heterosexual love is the only kind of love acceptable to see onstage and offstage. Additionally, when queer dancers only see heterosexuality portrayed onstage, it can make them feel underrepresented and like their experiences aren’t worth depicting. But artists have the opportunity to help change this by creating work that challenges the norm. Choreographers in particular, can help by actively choreographing duets that aren’t performed by man-woman pairings to challenge the norm of heterosexual romance in dance.
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In dance classes, we can aid in normalizing the use of non-binaried language in our teaching. Oftentimes, teachers use language that defaults to heterosexuality as the “norm”. However, this is damaging because when people assume the sexuality of someone they are denying the existence of other identities, reinforcing the normalized identity as the “correct” way to identify, and erasing the ability for young people to see alternate identities as valid. People often assume someone is straight until they “come out”, but this is not the case. We can challenge ourselves to not assume the sexuality of others by being more inclusive with our language. For example, in 2014, I started saying “guy or girl” to describe the idea of being flirtatious in jazz styling instead of just “guy”. Seemingly small changes like this can help many of us start to retrain our brains to think in ways that aren’t dominated by heterosexuality.
So, when you see artists in your community creating works that confront heteronormativity, support them in any way you can, whether that be buying tickets to their shows, sharing their work with others, or finding ways to collaborate. If you are an artist, particularly a heterosexual artist, challenge yourself to create work that promotes diverse identities in an effort to continue to break down the barriers of society’s obsession with the gender binary and allow for a deeper exploration into the human experience through art.
DWC's Holiday Gift Guide 2022
Need ideas on what to get your dancer for Christmas? This DWC Holiday Gift Guide is here to help make Christmas shopping a little easier. We asked some of our own DWC Ambassadors what their favorite dance products sold at Dancewear Center are and put them in the perfect guide for the holidays. Read on to learn more about what items would be great to give to your dancer for the holidays!
By Nicole Barrett, DWC Blog Editor
Need ideas on what to get your dancer for Christmas? This DWC Holiday Gift Guide is here to help make Christmas shopping a little easier. We asked some of our own DWC Ambassadors what their favorite dance products sold at Dancewear Center are and put them in the perfect guide for the holidays. Read on to learn more about what items would be great to give to your dancer for the holidays!
Apolla Performance
Apolla Performance products are known to be top-notch for dancers around the country for recovery and performance use. Recently featured on Shark Tank, Apolla’s compression socks and legwarmers leave dancers’ feet and legs feeling and looking great. Apolla Performance products use shock absorption technology to help comfort the balls of the feet and squeeze the arch of the foot for maximum comfort and support in any style of dance. The Amp Shock, Performance Shock, Infinite Shock, and the K-Warmer are the perfect gift for any performer during this holiday season!
Claudia Dean World Tracksuit Pants
Feeling confident is something that is very important in the dance community. Everyone knows that when you feel confident, you are more likely to perform at your best. That’s where Claudia Dean World Tracksuit Pants come in! These pants are super comfortable and super cute for any dancer to wear. They are perfect to warm up during these cold months or for just lounging around the house. These pants make perfect gifts!
Capezio Technique Duffle Bag
Nutcracker season is infamous for requiring various types of dance gear for dancers during performances. This requires the dancers to have the perfect bag to store all of the things they need. The Capezio Technique Duffle Bag is perfect for carrying all of your dancer’s things! With the large center compartment, you can easily store all of the necessities and carry everything with you from the studio to the theater.
Christmas Keychain
Who doesn’t love some color on their tree? These Christmas Pointe Shoe Keychains can not only be used as Christmas ornaments for your trees but they can also be put on dance bags to decorate for the holiday season! They are great to add some personalized touches to dance bags and are perfect stocking stuffers.
Claudia Dean World Foam Roller
As dancers, we all know that this art form is very physically demanding. Because of this, it is very important that we take care of our bodies properly to ensure the best performance possible. Using the Claudia Dean World Foam Roller before or after class to help stretch and recover can really help prevent sore muscles. This is a perfect gift for any dancer in your life!
Officially En Pointe T
The Officially En Pointe T-shirt is perfect for any dancer wanting to showcase their dancing skills! It’s stylish, comfortable and perfect to wear to dance class or lounging around the house. This t-shirt comes in a variety of sizes and makes a perfect Christmas gift for any dancer!
Claudia Dean World Oversized Hoodie
The Claudia Dean World Oversized Hoodie is a perfect addition to any dancer’s wardrobe. It’s soft, comfortable, stylish, and comes in various colors. What more could you want?! This hoodie can be paired with any type of bottom and be instantly cute on anybody. Come find any of these hoodies in-store or online to give to your dancer for the holidays!
We hope this Holiday Gift Guide helps make Christmas shopping for your dancer easier!
DWC's Best Nutcracker Gifts for 2022
It’s officially Nutcracker season! Dancers around the area are scrambling to prepare for their annual performances of the classic tale The Nutcracker. This allows the dancers to create unforgettable memories and entertain hundreds of audiences from far and wide. From holiday-themed leotards to storybooks for little kids, any of the items on this list would make fabulous holiday gifts for your favorite Nutcracker performers sold here at Dancewear Center!
By Nicole Barrett, DWC Blog Editor
It’s officially Nutcracker season! Dancers around the area are scrambling to prepare for their annual performances of the classic tale The Nutcracker. This allows the dancers to create unforgettable memories and entertain hundreds of audiences from far and wide. From holiday-themed leotards to storybooks for little kids, any of the items on this list would make fabulous holiday gifts for your favorite Nutcracker performers sold here at Dancewear Center!
Motionwear Nutcracker Hoodies
During the winter months, it’s even more crucial for dancers to bundle up and stay warm when they train and rehearse. Fortunately, Motionwear has dancers covered with their line of Nutcracker hoodies, crewnecks, and tank tops. Check out the preppy “Nutcracker Academy” crewneck, laid-back “Nutcracker on Duty” hoodie, and more at Dancewear Center.
Nutcracker’s Back Tote Bag
Nutcracker season comes with endless rehearsals to make sure that the show is as best as it can be. This causes dancers to bring lots of things to these rehearsals to make sure they have everything they need. This Nutcracker’s Back Tote Bag is perfect for that! This bag has pockets big enough to hold laptops and lots of dance gear to make the transition between studio and theater go smoothly.
“Nutcracker Dancing Shapes” Book from Once Upon a Dance
Local small business Once Upon a Dance produces educational and entertaining dance and movement books for children of various ages. The brand is primarily known for its “Dancing Shapes” books, which outline different dance poses for children to learn and follow. The“Nutcracker Dancing Shapes” book adds a festive spin to the series, providing readers with twenty-five different Nutcracker roles to follow.
Danse de Paris Nutcracker Sweet Leotard
The “Nutcracker Sweet” line by Danse de Paris features products adorned with a celebratory Nutcracker print, displaying characters from the production, like Clara, The Nutcracker Prince, and the Rat King. This woman-owned business has the “sweetest” leotards for the holiday season.
“The Nutcracker Practice and Play Book” by Russian Pointe
One of the most endearing and exciting parts of The Nutcracker is the story itself. Who doesn’t want to follow Clara’s journey as she ventures through an enchanted, snowy forest and the Land of Sweets? “The Nutcracker Practice and Play Book” from Russian Pointe is the perfect gift for a youngster who enjoys ballet and allows for yet another fun and stimulating way to engage with the iconic plotline.
Cloud & Victory “Winter is Coming” T-Shirt
Cloud and Victory is a small, woman-owned business known for its charming and stylish graphic T-shirts, leotards, and other dancewear products and accessories. The brand’s “Winter is Coming” T-shirt is the perfect gift for a dancer who loves Game of Thrones, as it depicts characters from the fantasy series as characters in The Nutcracker.
The Nutcracker has become an important part of how many families celebrate the holiday season. Commemorate its significance with some of DWC’s favorite Nutcracker products - whether it’s gifting them to others or yourself, they're sure to add a pinch of magic to your dancing and holiday experience.
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