What It's Like to Be a Ballerina
A Day in the Life of the Sugar Plum Fairy in San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker
Grace, glamour, and glittering lights. When many of us imagine what being a professional dancer is like, the beauty of the art is the first thing that comes to mind. But so much more goes into honing the craft as well as preparing for a performance. It takes drive, dedication, and above all, a true passion for dance.
Jennifer Stahl, principal dancer with the San Francisco Ballet, gave POPSUGAR a special look at a ballerina's day-to-day and all that it entails. As she prepared for her part as the Sugar Plum Fairy in Helgi Tomasson's Nutcracker, she let us in on what it takes to fill the magical role. What does a dancer eat on performance days? How do they get ready before the show? What's the most challenging part of their jobs?
When I asked Stahl what she loves most about dance, she lit up like the giant Christmas tree on the set of the ballet she would soon be dancing in.
"I love the way it feels, I love exploring what my body can do. I love how I can move to the music and what I can mold from my body and what emotions can be displayed, or what picture or thought can be spoken through movement. Body language in general is a really beautiful thing. I think that dancing is a very natural thing for everybody; it's part of human life and it's such a joyful way of expressing yourself," she added.
"So even if we're not all ballerinas, we should dance?" I joked.
"Yes!" she said. "Everyone should feel proud and excited to express themselves through movement."
While the repertory season for the SF Ballet officially kicks off in Jan. 2018, 'tis the season for falling snow, decking the halls, and, of course, for the beloved holiday classic, Nutcracker. From breakfast until bedtime, Stahl paints the picture of a day in the life of a principal at the prestigious SF Ballet.
