A Day in the Life of the Sugar Plum Fairy in San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker

While her schedule varies depending on the type of performance and time (matinee vs. evening), in general, Stahl said she likes to wake up at least a couple of hours before class (which for this show starts at 11:30). Getting enough sleep is, of course, crucial for dancers, so she gets up around 9 a.m to ensure that she's well-rested.

Breakfast usually consists of either a smoothie, oatmeal, or eggs, though before dancing the Sugar Plum Fairy specifically, she said oatmeal is best for good sustenance. And most importantly, coffee!

"On performance day especially, I like to get to the theater with plenty of time to stay relaxed and calm, and not feel rushed," she told me.