Houston's Urban Nutcracker: A Holiday Staple For The Culture
On the evening of December 3rd, Houston’s Urban Nutcracker returned for its post-pandemic debut at the Stafford Centre Performing Arts Theatre. Dozens of families excitedly piled into the theater, eager to experience the cheer of a holiday dance recital that many have longed for since last year. The show did not disappoint!
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The story follows the Urban Nutcracker Prince (Dontre Nguyen) as he guides the main character, Clare (Kendall Moshay), on a unique tour of Houston. Each scene showcased the city’s rich cultural history with invigorating performances by local dance groups.
“My hope is that people who attend our show will leave feeling a joyous sense of community,” said the show’s producing creative director, Traci Greene. She believes the show will bring “a greater appreciation for our city and the young, aspiring Brown and Black talent that is thriving in our highly diverse and multicultural arts community.”
Members of the Brown Girls Do Ballet Team after the Houston’s Urban Nutcracker performance on December 3rd, 2021. From left to right: Shirolyn Strong, Project Manager; TaKiyah Wallace, Founder/Executive Director; TaKiyah’s daughter, Charlie; Tamara Jones, Board of Directors; Victoria Jones, Blog Manager.
In the “Land of the Bluebonnets” scene, choreographed by Dwayne Cook, the audience was captivated as skilled ballet dancers pranced across the stage in majestic blue tutus. Among those dancers was McKenna Armwood, who made her leading debut as one of the Bluebonnet Queens. “It was hard,” she said, describing her experience training for the role. “I wasn’t only the Bluebonnet Queen, I was in three other scenes (“Medical Center,” ''Emancipation Park,” and “Montrose”), so I rehearsed for about six to eight hours almost every weekend.” McKenna has danced in Houston’s Urban Nutcracker since its inaugural performance in 2018.
“One of the most memorable moments was when I got to work with Ms. Lauren Anderson, a former principal dancer with the Houston Ballet. She coached me for my ‘Bluebonnet’ performance and I learned so much from her,” said McKenna. “That's something that I’ll never forget. It was a lot of hard work but it was all worth it to have a great show.”
Related: 5 to Watch 2021: McKenna Armwood
Photo: McKenna Armwood; shot by Keda Sharber of Images by Papillon
“I am really just enjoying the fact that we have been able to return to the theater. Seeing how elated the dancers have been to dance again on stage with new friends has been so rewarding,” said Traci. “We just really hope to reach and showcase even more aspiring dancers and grow our Houston’s Urban Nutcracker family each year.” To learn more about Houston’s Urban Nutcracker, visit www.houstonurbannutcracker.org.
Proceeds from the show help support the Culture Arts Initiative, a non-profit arts organization that provides funding for aspiring, underrepresented dancers to continue their dance education. Traci founded the organization in 2013. “I want people to see the importance of having a community outreach production like this and how it serves our young and diverse arts community by bringing us together through dance during the holidays,” she said.