RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) –Christmas has come to RVA with “The Nutcracker” playing in downtown. That means lots and lots of practice for all of the Richmond Ballet dancers. They welcomed 8News anchors Morgan Dean and Amanda Malkowski backstage on opening night to learn some of the steps.
“This is the diluted version of what they do in the show…but we think you can do it,” says Maggie Small, Morgan and Amanda’s teacher for the day.
Even teaching Morgan and Amanda the kiddie pool version of the show was more than enough to overwhelm our anchors.
Small, company dancer turned teacher for the day, had a tough job trying to whip Morgan and Amanda into shape.
“Start on your right foot…step, and step.”
Small and former company dancer turned guest artist Thomas Garrett would repeat the sequence, over and over again. The professionals make it look so fluid and easy. Morgan and Amanda, not so much.
At one point during the lesson, Morgan accused Amanda of swinging the props too wildly.Amanda and I struggle to put it all together…but not for lack of trying.
“Amanda and I struggle to put it all together…but not for lack of trying,” said Morgan. “There’s no time for rest when you are a part of the nutcracker…we looked on as the company got in stretching and practice ahead of opening night.”
Small says there’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes, long before the curtain goes up.
“We come in every day and take our ballet class. We do rehearse and work on all the steps we might be doing,” Small said. “Not only are you the shepherd and shepherdess — you might also be the sugar plum fairy and the snake, lots of things you rehearse all day long.no one ever wins at ballet…ballet always win…its like life…no one gets out alive….you are always learning something new…always something to work on…which makes it something you can do for 20 years.”
“No one ever wins at ballet — ballet always win. It’s like life, no one gets out alive and you are always learning something new.”
Amanda and Morgan probably won’t make 20 minutes as dancers. At just 15 minutes of practice, they looked like they had overstayed their welcome. Small politely says they should keep their day jobs.
“I liked your work ethic,” she said. “You really worked hard to improve. You asked questions. Like I was saying there’s always room for improvement.”
