Studio180 instructor and professional dancer, Meghan Carpenter, performed the part of Sugar Plum Fairy in Annapolis High School’s production of “The Nutcracker”  December 5-8 at Annapolis High.  The AHS’ second annual production of “The Nutcracker” showcased actors from the AHS Theater department, directed by Edwin Hall, and members of the AHS Dance Company, directed by Jillian Barber.  This unique Nutcracker production combined both acting and dancing to excite all of the audience’s senses.  Barber thrives on bringing arts to her students and “chose to ask for guest artists from Studio180 because [she] wants the audience to see a local, professional level of dancing, and to show them the arts available to them in their own community.”

Jillian Barber, Annapolis High School Dance Company Director and Teacher:
Act I of The Nutcracker is the narrative. It tells the story of the party scene and battle scene, and sets the scene for Act II, which is filled with the charm and spirit generations of dancers and theater goers continue to love.

Having grown up as a student at Ballet Theatre of Maryland (Ballet Theatre of Annapolis at the time), I was involved in the Nutcracker production every year from age 6 through high school. As a dance major at Towson University, I performed in Nutcracker there as well. The Nutcracker becomes a part of you. When November rolls around, and you hear "The Waltz of the Flowers" in the mall, or "Russian Trepak" as background music of a commercial, you immediately start visualizing choreography in your head.

As I started teaching full-time and was no longer performing, I realized that I missed the tradition of the Nutcracker. I have so many wonderful memories from the time I spent with this classic. When I came to Annapolis High School, I started to build my dance program. After two years, I realized that I could reach out to more students in the school who wanted to dance by directing a second dance company. Now, we have two 14 member dance companies- the Annapolis Dance Company and the Jr. Company.
We have many opportunities for performance throughout the year, but I knew I could give the students and our community more. Remembering my fondness for the tradition of the Nutcracker and the warm memories I have, I thought it would be a great new tradition for Annapolis High School. I quickly realized that not only had many of my dancers never been in a Nutcracker production before, but in many cases, they'd never even seen one before. Now, they are dancing multiple roles in the production, collaborating with other artists in the theater department, and reaching out to others in our community that have never been exposed to this type of production before. These students don't even realize the kind of preparation they are getting to step out into the world after high school.

We are proud of our Nutcracker production. Our unique collaboration with the theater department sets us apart from any other Nutcracker productions in town, and there is such a rawness to the performances. The students are all so fresh and enthusiastic, it's refreshing to watch them do what they love - performing! This year, we were so pleased to have professional performer, Meghan Carpenter from Studio 180,  dance the part of the Sugar Plum Fairy for our production. 

Meghan Carpenter, Instructor and Performer, Studio 180 Dance:
 “Dancing the Sugar Plum Fairy for AHS was not only a treat as a performer, but a unique experience as a member of the community.  I got to form relationships with the AHS Junior and Senior Dance Company members, some of the sweetest girls I have ever met.  They were appreciative of my dance, and I was appreciative of their commitment and generosity.  I will miss getting to spend the crazy backstage hours with them, but know that long-term relationships with both me and Studio 180 Dance were formed.”

Katie Carpenter, Owner, Studio 180 Dance:
 "We are thrilled to have one of our faculty members, Meghan Carpenter, dance the role ofSugar Plum Fairy for Annapolis High School's performance of The Nutcracker.  It is not only an opportunity for Studio 180 to have a representative in a community performance, but for Studio 180 to give back to Annapolis High School's Dance Program and Director, Jillian Barber, who has been a constant suppport and friend to the studio since it opened in the fall of 2008." 

"In addition to having Meghan, one of our faculty members, perform, Studio 180 is also pleased to have the opportunity to have another faculty member, Brooke Bowlin, choreograph the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy, having danced the part professionally herself."

"Studio 180 is always eager to be involved in the community, especially through performance.  In addition to The Nutracker, the Studio 180 faculty has performed our "Dance Hard Dance Strong" assembly for a number of Anne Arundel County public schools, during which the dancers demonstrate how dancers can be viewed as performing athletes. Like Meghan’s participation in AHS’ production of “The Nutcracker,” we encourage all of our dancers to think of themselves as athletes and to work as a team through collaborative growth."

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For more information on Studio 180 Dance, Inc., please visit their website at www.studio180dance.com [410.268.5299]or contact their branding firm, eCity Corporation, www.ecitydesigngroup.com [410.997.7777].