Dancers Prepare for Opening Night of the Nutcracker

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A timeless Christmas tradition is getting ready to kick off in Middle Georgia. Dancers, both young and old, are perfecting their steps for this year’s performance of the Nutcracker.

“It’s a tradition. I’ve been coming before I could be in it,” dancer Tift Palmer said.

“Without Nutcracker and Christmas, it wouldn’t be Christmas time for me because every time you hear the music come on you’re like, ‘I know its Christmas now,'” dancer Faith Tinkey said.

The Nutcracker of Middle Georgia started back in 1985. Since then, hundreds of dancers from studios across the area have performed in this Christmas tradition.

“Its something we feel is our gift to the community,” managing director Marianna Gebara said.

A gift that took months of preparation. Gebara says the dancers auditioned back in September. After nine weeks of rehearsals, all their hard work is about to pay off.

“It’s a lot of hard work, a lot of time for the dancers and their families,” Gebara said. “They have to sacrifice a lot.”

But the 123 local dancers performing in this year’s show say its worth it.

“The people in it truly love to dance, all of them do.,” Palmer said. “And I know everyone tries their hardest.”

“You get to show all the people your hard work and how fun you’ve had,” Tinkey said.

Performances run Wednesday December 12th through Sunday December 16th at the Grand Opera House. Click here for show times and ticket information.