Directing 'The Nutcracker' from a hospital bed
Christmas is the season for giving, and Ashlie Andersen, owner of State Street Dance Studio and director of the school's 11th performance of “The Nutcracker,” is contemplating three of the most important gifts of her life.
Foremost are the twins she is expecting, but the third gift was a complete surprise.
“I gave my studio to Ashlie,” said founder Linda Cunningham, who lives in Batavia. “It was my Oprah moment. I said, ‘hey, I want to talk to you about something. I have a gift for you.' She was blown away.”
Andersen was, indeed, shocked, but she wasn't a random choice.
“I've been with the school for seven years,” Andersen, a Montgomery resident, said. “I've worked very closely with (Cunningham) over the years, and she and I have a close personal relationship as well.”
“She's very enthusiastic, she's younger and loves dance and understood what my vision for State Street Dance was and is,” said Cunningham. “It was important to me that somebody got that.”
Aside from Andersen's feeling for the business, Cunningham felt certain that the studio's reputation as a serious place to study dance would remain intact.
“The intent that I've always had with the studio is to pay it forward and to do great work through dance and physical expression,” Cunningham said. “I've had the studio for 14 years, and it's not uncommon for good technical schools with good teachers and good programs to go for many, many years.”
The studio's hallmark presentation of “The Nutcracker” was set to go on as usual, with Andersen newly at the helm as of Aug. 1 and Cunningham returning to teach and lend support to Andersen as needed. A few weeks ago, however, “as needed” became a much more significant phrase than when Cunningham first offered help to the new owner.
“I'm on hospital bed rest,” Andersen said. “I've been in the hospital for three weeks now and I'll probably be here for another couple of weeks, and it looks like I may not even be there for the show.”
It was a hitch in the road to the very important production, but Andersen and Cunningham came up with a novel idea.
“I've been able to be Skyped in for rehearsal, so I'm directing from the hospital,” Andersen said.
Skype is a computer application with which people can be seen and heard in live time.
“All of the sudden things snowballed, with her having twins, so I told her, ‘there's nothing about this business I don't know,” Cunningham said. “‘I created it. I'd be happy to do what you need.' She knows that I have her back.”
“Things never work out as you plan,” admitted Andersen, whose due date is in January. “It's been hard and emotional, so I'm glad I have work to keep me busy.”
Aside from Cunningham, Andersen has a team working behind the scenes, including her husband, Joe, who is serving as production manager, allowing her to concentrate on bringing her first “Nutcracker” vision to life from a hospital bed.
“I'm really excited about everything. It'll be my first year and I'll be putting my own bells and whistles on it, but still keeping it with the State Street touch and look,” she said.
One of the dancers is Isabella Urben, 17, who will perform as the Sugar Plum Fairy for all three nights of the production and participate in the “snow core” and Arabian dance for matinees.
Urben, who is a junior at Geneva High School and lives in Geneva, said she misses seeing Andersen in person.
“But it's worked out really well because she gives us notes,” Urben said.
Urben, who has attended State Street for 13 years and has participated in the annual “Nutcracker” for 11, is excited to dance the part of the Sugar Plum Fairy this year.
“I've been really lucky to have great parts over the years. The Sugar Plum Fairy is the big one for older girls,” she said.
“Sugar Plum is a very challenging role so I'm trying to work really hard and be prepared for the performance,” Urben added.
Urben credits Cunningham for her part in the production.
“(Cunningham) comes every Sunday,” she said. “I don't think we'd be getting as much done without her. She keeps it going.”
The key role of Clara has been double cast and will be danced by two 12-year-olds — Maecy Ashmore of Batavia, who attends Rotolo Middle School, and Lily Karlson of Geneva, who attends Geneva Middle School.
Both girls are delighted to dance the role of Clara.
“Clara is so young and it's really fun. It's very enjoyable and I love having this experience,” said Ashmore.
“She (Clara) just has this spark that makes everyone around her happy, and I love the way she's always happy and just filled with magic,” added Karlson, who is appearing as Clara for the second year in a row.
Ashmore admits learning to partner for the role is a bit of a challenge.
“I'm used to dancing by myself or in a large group, but you've got to know how the other person dances and keep in touch with that,” she said.
She expects her nerves to vanish once she takes the stage, however.
“It all works out when I get there because I love being onstage and I get so excited and dance,” Ashmore said.
Karlson didn't expect to play Clara twice in a row and was surprised and happy to see herself cast again in this year's performance. But her experience hasn't completely banished her jitters.
“I'm feeling anxious, but I want to perform and I want to share with my family and friends what I've been doing,” she said.
Despite some hiccups and nerves, both Cunningham and Andersen express assurance that the performances will be of the highest possible caliber.
“I'm keeping with the State Street tradition and keeping the magic alive,” Andersen said.
“There will be very special dancing and a lot of guest artists from all over the country and the Chicago area. We have a lot of special effects and illusions, which we are well known for,” Andersen added. “We have nearly 100 dancers participating.”
“There are going to be new sets and bells and whistles,” Cunningham said. “They're going to be enchanting, fun, and interesting, and there's a bigger surprise coming.”
Performances are 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre. Tickets are $20-$40. Visit bataviafineartscentre.org/.
If you go
What: State Street Dance Studio's “The Nutcracker”
When: 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30
Where: Batavia Fine Arts Centre, 1201 Main St., Batavia
Tickets: Adults, $25-$35; children, $20-$30; VIP, $40, which includes seats in the first three rows of the orchestra section and pictures with the cast after the performance.
Details: <a href="http://bataviafineartscentre.org">bataviafineartscentre.org</a> or (630) 937-8930