As it’s the holiday season, Dixon Elementary is preparing for its annual performance of the Nutcracker.
The Nutcracker is a well-known ballet composed by Tchaikovsky in the late nineteenth century and a Christmas favorite that delights audiences of all ages. The ballet follows the story of Clara, who awakens to find that her beloved Nutcracker has come to life, caught in battle with the evil Mouse King. It is after the battle that the magic truly begins. The Nutcracker prince whisks Clara away to the mystical realm of the Sugar Plum Fairy where all the inhabitants of Land of Sweets dance for the children. The ballet ends with Clara awakening to find everything just the way it was before she fell asleep, as if it were all just a dream.
Brookfield Central’s very own Emma Favill (‘17) is the director of this year’s Nutcracker. For this year’s Nutcracker, there is a cast of over sixty. Favill herself always participates in the “Party Scene,” and has played both the Snow Queen and the Spanish Dance. “While it is fun to be a part of the show, it is simpler to be backstage directing from behind the scenes,” Favill commented on her experience.
Favill describes her Nutcracker experience as “incredibly rewarding.” Her public speaking skills have improved with the need to address large groups of parents, kids, and audience members. When asked about her hopes for this year’s production, she says that, “Every year, my hopes are the same. I want to run a successful show that is fun for the participants, enjoyable for the audience, and raises the largest sum of money we can manage so that we can better help the community and our veterans.” Her goal each year is to give children in grade school the experience of being in a production and an opportunity to build confidence through an activity they enjoy.
This, being her senior year, is Favill’s last year running the Nutcracker. Next year, Ivy Smith (‘20) will take on the role of main director. Some advice given by Favill is to work ahead on everything that needs to be done instead of doing tasks as they come up. In her words, it “makes the craziness close to the performance much easier.” Favill says she will greatly miss the Nutcracker experience. “I am going to miss all my young friends that I have gotten the pleasure to bond with for the past five years. I’m going to miss the little girls calling me “Ms. Emma” and running up to me giving me hugs and telling me that they are having fun.”
The proceeds for the shows at Dixon will donated to the Fisher House, an organization that provides temporary housing for families of veterans while their wounded family member is hospitalized for treatment. The profits have yet to be tallied, but Favill hopes to match or exceed last year’s donation of over $4000.

MARIE ONWUBUARIRI
MARIE ONWUBUARIRI
MARIE ONWUBUARIRI
MARIE ONWUBUARIRI
MARIE ONWUBUARIRI
MARIE ONWUBUARIRI