Grafton Girl Is Her Family’s Second ‘Nutcracker’ Star In A Row

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Wednesday, October 30, 2013

GoLocalWorcester Features Team

This holiday season, 13-year-old Isabella Calandra of Grafton has a lot of work to do. Recently cast as the lead role of Clara in Ballet Arts Worcester’s production of The Nutcracker, Isabella will be rehearsing six days a week to prepare for the part. But it's a task she's watched first hand in her own home.

Isabella is already familiar with the role because her sister Sophia was cast as Clara two years ago. Ballet Arts Worcester owner Jennifer Agbay says the sisters were cast in the same role for very different reasons.

“We cast Isabella as Clara this year because she has a juvenile quality that this role needs," Agbay said. "She can create this young persona and she’s very strong technically. We cast her older sister Sophia as Clara two years ago because she was very technically advanced. She ended up really growing artistically through the show and we saw huge development from dancer to artist.”

The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker is a two-act ballet featuring a musical score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Though originally not a success, the show has enjoyed huge popularity since the 1960’s and is performed by ballet companies throughout the world, particularly in the U.S. during the holiday season. Ballet Arts Worcester has mounted the show for the past twelve years at both Clark University and The Hanover Theatre for Performing Arts.

One hundred and twenty five local ballet students auditioned for the show this year, which according to Agbay, made competition fierce.

“I cast the parts with two other teachers,” said Abgay. “These roles are precise and require high level technique, artistry and acting. The role of Clara is particularly challenging to cast because we have to find a girl who can manage this demanding role with the appearance and movement of a child.”

Isabella has already begun rehearsing for The Nutcracker which includes classes and rehearsals seven days a week. The role of Clara also has to understudy all of the other parts in the show, and Agbay said Isabella can handle it.

“She practices until she gets it right,” Agbay said.

From mouse to star

When she was seven years old, Isabella debuted in Agbay’s production of The Nutcracker playing a mouse. This year her sister Sophia will dance supporting roles. The girls’ youngest sister, 11 year old Arianna, will be performing minor roles as well. Some might consider the “come down” from Clara to be disappointing. Agbay jokes it can be a big change for her former Clara’s, but states that it’s all part of the life of a classical ballerina.

Ballet Arts Worcester will present The Nutcracker at The Hanover Theatre for Performing Arts, November 29 through December 1st.

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