By April Deocariza, Air Force Spouse
“The Nutcracker” classical ballet has become a time-honored holiday tradition. From late November through December, dance companies and schools perform their own take on the beloved classic across the United States.
How military kids and parents stationed in Germany won’t need to miss out on this time-honored tradition and some of the chance to be a part of the performance.
See the full feature in the December issue of Military Spouse Magazine!
Set to the sweeping score of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, “The Nutcracker” takes audiences on a journey with Clara, a girl who receives a nutcracker doll for Christmas from her godfather. Little does Clara know that the nutcracker ultimately becomes a real boy who she saves from the evil Mouse King. In thanksgiving for saving his life, the nutcracker whisks Clara away to the “Land of the Sweets” to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Grace Studio, based in Kaiserslautern, Germany, organizes an annual performance of “The Nutcracker.” What makes this performance particularly unique is that roughly 95% of the dancers at Grace Studio are from the Kaiserslautern Military Community (KMC). Grace Studio is co-owned by dancers Laure Courau and Olga Anikeyenko. In addition to Courau and Anikeyenko, all of Grace Studio’s teachers and employees are affiliated with KMC as well.
In this year’s production, Missy Mueller, an Air Force spouse, will perform the Sugar Plum Fairy. Lane Wilke, the Sugar Plum Fairy’s Cavalier, is an Air Force active duty member. And Clara, performed by Amelia Kirby, is a daughter of a Department of Defense (DoD) civilian at Ramstein Air Base. This production enables the local military community to enjoy this holiday tradition even while far from home.
“Not a lot of us have family here (in Germany),” said Shereece Spain, a dance student since she was a child and now spouse to a retired Army member. “Your military family is your extended family.”
Courau herself identifies with the military lifestyle as her father was in the French Air Force. Like most military families, she also experienced moving around often.
“I learned how to be disciplined,” said Courau, on a Saturday afternoon in her dance studio, as Nutcracker rehearsals took place. “Ballet and the military teach a lot about discipline; they have that in common.”
A shared passion.
Taking classes, rehearsing, and performing together helps forge a strong camaraderie amongst Grace Studio’s dancers. The experience is particularly special for Spain, who gets to share the stage with her five-year-old daughter, Lillian, also a student at Grace.
“It’s a nice bonding experience we share together,” Spain said. “She practices at home, then she watches me practice and she starts to learn my dance.”
Spain will be performing in the Act I party scene in this year’s Nutcracker production and in the Waltz of the Flowers in Act II.
“It feels like a family here,” said Sophia Link, 14, daughter of an Air Force service member, will perform the role of the Dew Drop Fairy. “Dance helps you get to know new friends and relieve stress. I really like everything involved with performing too; the rehearsals, costumes, all of it.”
“This production is unique because it is not as large, so everyone has an opportunity to play a role,” Wilke added. “The environment here is very community-centered.”
Beyond ballet.
For Kirby, who is 11 years old, dancing helps her feel part of a community that identifies with her life as a DoD child. “I like dancing here because my friends ‘get me’ as a moving, military child,” said Kirby. “They all moved away from their friends at home too and they can relate to that.”
Kirby’s mother, April, is thankful for the community her daughter has found. “Her primary friend group is here at the studio. Dance has been her constant and has helped her with the transition here quite a bit. Some of the moms and I are able to get together as well.”
Spain knows firsthand the value of fostering a passion outside of military life. “The military can run a big part of your life, so it’s important to step out and have something that’s your own to find balance, stability, help re-center, and keep you grounded. I feel like I “reset” when I come to dance class,” Spain added. “The love I feel for this studio and what it’s brought out in me has been phenomenal. Now, being an adult taking dance, I have a fond appreciation for this art than I did as a kid.”
Get Your Tickets:
- Grace Studio’s performances of “The Nutcracker” will take place December 5 and 12 at 6:30 p.m.
- Price: 12€ per seat (Tickets will be on sale at the door from 5:45 to 6:15 p.m.)
- Location: Congress Center/House of the Citizen
Am Neuen Markt 4, 66877 Ramstein-Miesenbach
- For more information on Grace Studio and to view a schedule of classes, visit www.grace-studio.org.
“If you can’t find the facility you need for the arts or for your outlet, you need to be self-sufficient and do your research. Communicate with people and organizations outside of the military if you can’t find what you need on base. There are a lot of social media pages that can help spouses. The biggest thing is research and talking to others. Many times, local people want to help you.”