Nichole goes to the ballet

Originally published on The JOLT News on December 17, 2025

The longer I live in Thurston County, the more I understand how our little corner of the world encompasses so many cultures as it embraces diversity and celebrates innovations and traditions alike. Personally, I cannot think of a show that embraces the heart of it all quite like "The Nutcracker" during the Christmas season. 

Beyond the glitter, sweetness, and magic associated with what is sometimes known as “Nutcracker season” is actually a deep appreciation of what everyone has to offer. We see this in the first act of "The Nutcracker" and the embracing of people of all ages, but the multicultural festivities truly begin in the second act when Clara is presented with gifts from around the world. More on that later. 

None of these revelations would have been realized without my friend, Nichole Woolsey, accepting my invitation to come to Ballet Northwest’s “The Nutcracker” with me and describing what stood out to her.  

Woolsey is widely known throughout our community from serving in our Lacey Rotary and our Thurston County chapter of Relay for Life to being a friendly presence at our local Applebee’s. She has become a dear friend, and when I heard that she had never been to the ballet, I knew we needed to make that moment happen.  

I invite you to sit back with a nice warm holiday beverage, and read a review of "The Nutcracker" from the enchanting perspective of someone who has just seen it for the first time.  

From her perspective 

Chatting with Woolsey, I learned that she did not do any research prior to the show, but decided to attend and just see what happens. She found the set design to be mesmerizing, the winter scene in the first act to be magical, and loved the variation of color, brightness, professional aesthetic that sparkled on everything, especially the costumes. Most of all, Woolsey was impressed with how well “the story could be told (and understood) without saying a word.”  

Woolsey applauded the hard work made evident on stage by the teens, tweens and other age groups involved in the cast.

“I cannot imagine how many hours they spent practicing that, I can tell they worked really hard and that this was their lifestyle and their dreams," Woolsey said.

Adding to that, Woolsey said, “The way they (maintained) their smiles, and showed emotion through their movements (and knew the proper moment to exaggerate versus approach with a gentle touch), proved they understood the point of it all and what they were trying to convey.”  

Specifically, Woolsey pointed out that she was “struck by the stamina and the grace” of Emery Peters, as she danced the role of Clara, and the talent, skill level and masculinity embraced by Maddux Ellison, as the Sugar Plum Fairy Cavalier. 

Going deeper 

Reflecting on what spoke to her during "The Nutcracker," Woolsey described moments of the party scene.

“They hadn’t even given gifts out, but I thought it was hilarious because it’s real life — you get kids together and they annoy each other. They talk about each other. Brothers and sisters bug and pick on each other, and the parents chase them around and the grandmas were silly and lightheartedly giving out candy," Woolsey said.

Laughing, Woolsey added, “It’s literally real life and I’m picking up what you’re putting down.”  

Further into our conversation, Woolsey discussed the second act where Clara is presented with gifts from all the magical lands.

“Each showed their different dance, music, the way they dressed, all of it to show her this beautiful piece of themselves," Woolsey said. 

I never thought of it that way before — they were the gift. Everything about each of their cultures, many representing the various countries that make up this planet, was beautifully presented on stage, and witnessing such nuanced beauty is a gift.

Have you ever stopped to contemplate the point of it all — diversity, cultural celebrations, various genres of food, music, dress and more? I think about that feeling of when you’re a kid, and you make something that you’re so proud of and you can’t wait to show it to people who you love, as well as to a perfect stranger. It feels good to be celebrated or even accepted, and to have what you do and who you are be called good or wonderful.  

When we choose to say yes to diversity, we create an open door for everybody to glow in that excited feeling. At the same time, we get to add something new into our own lives. It’s a win-win situation for everyone. Ballet can be where that journey begins. 

Begin your journey with "The Nutcracker" this season.  

 More information can be found here.

https://www.thejoltnews.com/stories/nichole-goes-to-the-ballet,27404