program at Tulsa Ballet’s Center for Dance Education, the opportunity to play such a plum role is a-dream-come-true. Both girls auditioned with dozens of other hopefuls for to play Marie, a part that requires a combination of technical skill and youthful appearance, as well as many hours of dedication to the art of ballet. Boren, who has been studying ballet for eight years, and Skalnik, who has 10 years of ballet training under her belt, have both danced in Tulsa Ballet’s “Nutcracker” before in the roles of a soldier, mouse and party guest, as well as performed in the company’s other ballets, such as its recent production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” “It was really exciting – I couldn’t believe it was happening,” Skalnik says of her first “Nutcracker” performance as Marie last year. “You don’t feel like yourself when you’re up there on stage.” Some people might think that having years of training and having already performed a role would mean a dancer doesn’t get pre-performance jitters. Not so, says Boren. “I always get so nervous before I go on,” she says. “But then I get into the character and the story and I’m not nervous. I love the acting and playing a character.” In addition to their regular school schedule, both girls maintain a grueling, six-days-per-week schedule of ballet classes plus several hours of “Nutcracker” rehearsals every Saturday and Sunday. Such a tight schedule leaves them little time for other activities, something their non-dancer friends don’t always understand. “Most kids take ballet lessons when they’re little,” Skalnik explains, adding that the level of discipline and dedication involved
for someone on a professional track is much different than that of someone who only dances on a recreational basis. “Some of our friends don’t understand why we like ballet. They don’t realize that it takes up your whole life. It’s a lot of hard work, but it’s also a lot of fun” Boren and Skalnik say the long hours are worth it because they both aspire to become professional ballerinas someday and tackle roles in other famous ballets such as Giselle, Coppelia and La Bayadere. “People will be like, ‘You want to come over?’ and I say, ‘I can’t. I have ballet.’” Boren says. “It’s almost like going to (regular) school. But when you’re here, you’re dancing and you’re happy.”
Tulsa Ballet’s performances of “The Nutcracker” will be held at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center’s Chapman Music Hall, 110 E. 2nd St., on the following dates: December 14, 15, 21, 22 at 2 p.m. December 13, 20, 21, 22 at 7 p.m. For ticket information, visit TulsaBallet.org or call 918.749.6407
December 2013 | Tulsa Lifestyle 17