A tale of two Claras: daughter follows mother’s footsteps

In 1989 Elizabeth Clark of Madison was a young ballet student at Garlinda’s Dance Works in Hattiesburg. That magical Christmas, Clark was chosen to perform the lead role of Clara in a production of “The Nutcracker” staged at the Hattiesburg Saenger Theater. Now Clark’s daughter Emily Garner is experiencing the magic of becoming Clara. She will dance the role in Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet’s December 4 and 5 production of the classic ballet at Jackson Academy Performing Arts Center.

“The Nutcracker” follows the story of Clara as she attends her family’s Christmas party. There she receives the gift of a nutcracker from the mysterious and magical Herr Drosselmeyer. After the party, Clara’s nutcracker comes to life, battles the evil Mouse King, and takes Clara on a magical journey. Clara and the Nutcracker Prince are awed by the Snow Queen and her corps of Snowflakes in the snowy forest. Then they meet the Sugarplum Fairy in the land of sweets. There Clara and the Nutcracker Prince enjoy dances, or divertissements, presented for their entertainment from around the world.

Garner, 14, is a member of Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet’s senior company. She was selected through auditions for the role of Clara in early September. Since then, she and the cast of over 150 local dancers have been rehearsing for the holiday classic. Joining the local cast will be guest artists from Ballet Memphis including Cecily Khuner, Oscar Fernandez, and Joey Dlearo.  Khuner and Fernandez will dance the roles of the Sugarplum Fairy and her Cavalier. Dlearo will appear as the Snow King. Guest artist Bret Coppa of Atlanta will dance the role of The Nutcracker.

I have dreamed of dancing the role of Clara…

Although Clark studied dance for 15 years in Hattiesburg, her daughter’s experience has been very different from her own. Clark had only one opportunity to be in a production of “The Nutcracker.” Her daughter Garner is appearing in her seventh production of the ballet with Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet.

Garner began studying ballet at Mississippi Metropolitan Dance Academy in Madison at age 4. She auditioned for and joined Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet company in 2015 at age 8 and danced in her first Nutcracker that year as the White Mouse. “I have dreamed of dancing the role of Clara ever since then,” says Garner. “The role of Clara is not only about the dancing but involves portraying to the audience all of the different emotions a young girl experiences and telling the story of the Nutcracker to the audience in an exciting way.”

Besides being part of an annual production of “The Nutcracker,” Garner’s mother points out another difference. She says, “Emily is a much more talented dancer than I ever was. She will be performing the role of Clara en pointe, and I performed the role of Clara in flat ballet slippers. The choreography that Emily will be performing is much more strenuous and challenging than what I performed.”

Realizing potential in the studio

Jennifer Beasley, owner of Mississippi Metropolitan Dance Academy (MMDA) and artistic director for Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet (MMB), along with instructor Erik Kegler and artistic associate Crystal Skelton developed the choreography for MMB’s “The Nutcracker.” All danced professionally and have been involved with the academy and the company for many years.

“Each dancer comes to ballet class with a certain amount of potential.”  says Beasley. “Our goal at the academy is to realize that potential through the qualified instruction of classical technique. The company’s mission is to give serious dance academy students the opportunity to perform in productions of the highest quality. Emily’s performance this year as Clara will be just one example of how the training at the academy leads to excellence on the stage.”

Metro Jackson area audiences have enjoyed MMB’s productions of “The Nutcracker” since 1993. Attending a performance of the ballet at Jackson Academy Performing Arts Center is an annual tradition for many. In addition to witnessing the exciting choreography, sparkling costumes, beautiful sets and artistic feats of the production, patrons will have the opportunity to begin a new tradition this year as MMB introduces its Land of Sweets.

Performance Details

Performances of MMB’s “The Nutcracker” will be at 2 and 7 p.m. on December 4 and 5 at Jackson Academy Performing Arts Center. Following the 2 p.m. matinee performances of MMB’s “The Nutcracker,” patrons may step into Clara’s slippers and travel to the Land of Sweets. In this immersive experience, guests will have their personal passport stamped as they visit Clara, the Snow Queen, the Dewdrop, the Sugarplum Fairy, and other characters from the ballet. Travel stops will offer character photo opportunities and souvenirs including a miniature nutcracker. The afternoon’s activities will be capped with “Spanish” hot cocoa and light refreshments from Nothing Bundt Cakes.

Tickets for the performance are $30-$35. Land of Sweets tickets are $25 and are sold separately. Both are available at msmetroballet.com or by calling 601-853-4508.

Supporters of MMB’s 29th season include the Mississippi Arts Commission; Gertrude C. Ford Foundation; Jackson Optimist Club; Ergon; Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi; Eventful; Harper, Rains, Knight and Co.; Hilton Garden Inn Jackson-Madison; Larry and Michael Johnson Family Foundation; and The Pig & Pint. For more information on MMB or MMDA, visit www.msmetroballet.com and follow us on Instagram @msmetroballet and @msmetrodance.