By Rita J. Egan

On the chilly Sunday after Thanksgiving, dozens of children and teenagers weren’t at the mall shopping for presents; they were preparing for the holiday season in a different way.

Dressed in leotards and tights, they were rehearsing for Seiskaya Ballet’s upcoming performance of Nutcracker at Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts. The dancers have rehearsed the holiday classic for months at Seiskaya’s St. James studio.

As they leaped and turned to the familiar score by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, many received feedback from the school’s Artistic Director Valia Seiskaya and Administrative Director Dimitri Papadakos. The husband-and-wife team knows the ballet well. The school has presented the beloved tale at the Staller Center since 1995, only missing one year in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alan Inkles, Staller Center director, said Seiskaya’s production of the classic is a staple at the venue during the holiday season. He called the academy part of the Staller family.

“It has really been a pleasant honor to be their venue for so many years,” Inkles said, adding “there are a lot of smiles in the lobby.”

Nutcracker tells the tale of a young girl named Clara who goes on a magical adventure on Christmas Eve as her newly-gifted nutcracker comes to life. Along the way, the two travel to magical realms and encounter a Mouse King and the Sugar Plum Fairy.

This year, David Wright of Dance Theatre of Harlem will return to dance the roles of Cavalier and Nutcracker. Joining Wright on stage will be Seiskaya Principal dancers Madeleine Martufi, Kaede Urso and Michaela Lettiere as well as returning principal dancers Brianna Jimenez, Eva Pyrros, Lara Caraiani and Diana Atoian.

Leading up to opening night

When Valia Seiskaya opened the school more than 50 years ago, she had no interest in choreographing a version after performing it several times during her dancing career, according to Papadakos. However, the opportunity to present the two-part classical ballet fell together when another local school’s production could have been more successful at the Staller Center, a venue Seiskaya dancers have performed at since 1980 in the Ballet Education and Scholarship Fund, Inc. annual benefit performances.

One of their students’ aunts was Margaret Piotrowska, an acclaimed artist and designer for Warsaw television, films and theater, who agreed to design a set for the school. Piotrowska developed the storyboards, and Broadway’s Scenic Art Studios painted them. In addition to Piotrowska’s work are sculptures by Long Island sculptor Matt Targon.

Regarding Seiskaya’s choreography, Papadakos described it as unique, adding she enjoys ballets with a storyline.

“My wife is not a boring person at all, and it’s reflected in her ballets,” he said. “They’re full of life.”

Seiskaya’s production has had various tweaks throughout the years, according to Papadakos, but “the basic showmanship of the show has remained the same.”

With five performances from Friday, Dec. 20 to Sunday, Dec. 22, the cast varies in each performance, and some dancers perform multiple roles throughout the weekend, allowing various opportunities to be part of the production.

Seiskaya and Papadakos watching each rehearsal, especially early on, is vital as it helps them determine which dancers will have the lead parts. The pair use a five-star system to help decide who will qualify for a role. 

“Any academy dancer can try out for any role they are reasonably capable of performing,” Papadakos said. “Five performance-caliber rehearsals translates into five stars which makes you eligible for a role, but does not guarantee selection.”

He said such a system allows dancers to know their progress and where they stand, saving hearts from being broken.

“It’s a growing experience,” he added.

Principal dancers Madeleine Martufi, 16, of Smithtown, and Kaede Urso, 16, of Setauket, said the star system and feedback help with their performances. Martufi called it “rewarding.”

“It’s nice to get feedback and corrections,” she said.

Urso said she aims to get a star each rehearsal but said if a dancer doesn’t receive one, the feedback helps for next time.

During rehearsals, younger students who will not be performing in the ballet will serve as placeholders to ensure there is always an entire crew to rehearse. Some of the younger students also have walk-on roles during the ballet’s party scene.

“By next year or the following year, they’ll not only know the choreography dead cold, but they’ll be used to dancing among other dancers,” Papadakos said, adding that mastering the Sugar Plum Fairy role can be a two- to three-year process.

Martufi, who has performed in Seiskaya’s Nutcracker since she was 6, and Urso, who has been in it for nine years, both started with walk-on parts. The two will each play the Sugar Plum Fairy this year at different performances. During other shows, Martufi will dance the parts of Clara and Dew Drop, while Urso will be the Chocolate Soldier, plus each principal dancer will take on other roles.

Martufi said she is looking forward to dancing as the Sugar Plum Fairy, because while Clara has a lot of stage time, the role is a mix of dancing and acting.

“The Sugar Plum is very technical and intense,” she said.

Urso said it’s hard work to prepare to dance as the Sugar Plum Fairy and to build the stamina needed. 

“It was definitely a challenge, but it all worked out,” Urso added.

A holiday tradition

Staging Nutcracker since 1995, Papadakos said he and Seiskaya evaluate their health and other factors regarding continuing to train dancers and produce performances, something they plan to do as long as possible.

“No one is putting more sand in our hourglasses,” he said.

If Urso and Martufi are any indication, the dancers are up for performing for years to come. Urso said it’s fun to be part of a holiday tradition such as Nutrcracker.

“I hope it brings everyone a little extra Christmas spirit,” Urso said.

Martufi said while it makes Christmastime a bit busier, “it’s so worth it.”

“It’s something so special to me that I can’t imagine my Christmas without it,” Martufi said. “It’s lovely getting to work with all my friends in rehearsal and getting to put something on stage that we’re so proud of.”

Seiskaya Ballet’s Nutcracker returns to Staller Center’s Main Stage, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook on Friday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 22 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tickets are $45 and $38 for children under 12 and seniors aged 62+. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit nutcrackerballet.com.