Tuscarawas Dance Arts Center marks 30th year for Christmas production
Some of the members of the dance company for "The Nutcracker" with Shelly Beitzel, owner of the center.
A suggestion by a student at the Tuscarawas Dance Arts Center in Dover has led to a 30-year tradition.
“I had a student say, ‘We have enough talented dancers; we should do ‘The Nutcracker,’” TDAC owner Shelly Beitzel said. “I said, ‘OK,’ and that was that.”
As long as a person to portray the prince was found, the show continued. It’s not just a matter of finding a person to take on the role but finding someone who has the time to do it.
The entire studio isn’t in “The Nutcracker.” All the dancers involved are dedicated to the extra practice time needed to put on the show.
“They are here for their regular classes, Mondays and Wednesdays, some of them even on a Tuesday. And then they rehearse on Saturdays and Sundays,” Beitzel said. “And most of them do other things in school too. So it’s a commitment for them to be here and keep the tradition going.”
Practice for the lead dancers actually starts in August to ensure the partnering, the duets and other segments are going to work well with the cast that’s selected.
The show features dancers age 5-18. Beitzel also is thankful for the adult volunteers from the community who are featured in the opening holiday party scene.
With all ages of students and audience members, a few changes were made to the original score.
“I would say we adapted it a little bit to fit the company and changed some things around,” Beitzel said. “I’ve also edited out a good half-hour of the original music, which does more to keep the attention of a wide range of audience.”
After so many years of the production, it’s gotten a little easier to put everything together for the show. Though the cast has grown over the years, they still use some of the same costumes they’ve had for 30 years.
It’s not just parents, family and friends who enjoy the show. Many local patrons feel it’s not the Christmas season without taking in a performance of “The Nutcracker.” Beitzel was surprised one time when a bus of people from West Virginia came to see the show. The group picks a different activity to support each year.
“That was kind of fun, and we do have a lot of people from the community that it’s their tradition too, which is nice,” Beitzel said.
Beitzel has heard many good comments over the years about the show. People love the duet dances and the costumes.
“I’ve had other dancers, friends from other areas come and watch. They thought we all looked very polished and clean,” Beitzel said.
The company enjoys performing at the Performing Arts Center, where many famous people have performed on the same stage.
“It gives you the feeling that you’re special,” Beitzel said.
Prior to performing at the PAC, the show was held at the Little Theatre for the first 14 years and then the auditorium at Kent State Tuscarawas for a few years until the PAC was built. One advantage of the PAC is it provides more room backstage for the group to get ready.
The dance students are very active during the rest of the year too, participating in parades, dance festivals, a fundraiser for the Tuscarawas County Center for the Arts and recitals.
Some of Beitzel’s students have gone on to further their dance study or participate in other dance activities. Some of the students include Buddy Flowers, who is in New York; Katie Leishman, who helps run a dance company in Michigan; Shannon Brown, who did a performance with the San Francisco Ballet; Kaila Shroyer, who is studying with the Cincinnati Dance Academy; Lindsay Blackburn Brown, who teaches dance in North Carolina; and Sydney Banks, who is in LA.
Beitzel keeps the memory of one dancer, the late Mindy Alpeter, close to her heart. Alpeter passed away while she was a student at TDAC, and Beitzel is grateful Mindy’s mother, Deb Alpeter, still helps with projects at the studio and decorated the windows this year for the Christmas season.
Learning the art of dance is important for students.
“It builds confidence, and it will keep you young,” Beitzel said.
Her students chimed in, adding about all the different opportunities it can bring in addition to making you more social and keeping you healthy.
“The Nutcracker” rehearsal assistant is Shelly Dunlap. In addition to Shelly Beitzel, other instructors at the TDAC include Lee Beitzel, Betty Price, Pam Susco, Shelly Snyder and Tiffany Bowman.
The shows this year will be held at Kent State University at Tuscarawas Performing Arts Center. Tickets may be purchased online or in person at the box office. The shows will take place Friday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 3 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 4 at 2 p.m.