12/09/2025
It is truly impossible to articulate just how special this production is, and what it has meant to the 40 years of people who have been impacted by Miss Donna's vision and artistry. The truth is, the thing that's at the very heart of Ballet Légere’s Nutcracker, that thing that you've felt that you just can't explain, is the fact that our show is really the incarnation of Miss Donna's immense warmth and kindness. She has taught us discipline, expression, and excellence. She has taught us how to adapt. She has given us a place of belonging. She has given us something that holds all of our dreams and challenges us to strive for something year after year. But what she has also done is taught us how to support each other, and root for each other, and do hard things together. She always seems to know what we need and what we're capable of, often before we ourselves do. It is for that reason that all of us can point to our time in Nutcracker as the single most transformative thing that showed us our capabilities, and gave us a skill set that shows up in every single thing we have done thereafter. Ballet Légere feels like a family, because it is. You can feel it in the smiles on stage, you can see it in the hugs off stage. There are generations of friendships that have been solidified because of having this shared experience, and for all of us getting to be a part of something so much bigger than ourselves. Thank you to every dancer, performer, volunteer, crew member, audience member and supporter who has helped us celebrate this landmark anniversary, and who has helped her feel the love that she continues to give to all of us. It has meant the world to have so many of you come and see us, send messages, post pictures, and share your experiences and memories. We are all different and better because of the time we spent together creating this magic, whether that was 40 years ago, 20 years ago, or yesterday. Here is Miss Donna getting her flowers while the audience erupted into the most deserved standing ovation. Our hearts are so full. From our family to yours, thank you.
