Atlanta Ballet in Nutcracker. Photo by C. McCullers, Courtesy AB.
Battling sore muscles during a lengthy Nutcracker run? Add these three items to your grocery list for easier recovery between shows.
Eggs
Danielle MacInnes via Unsplash
These protein superstars contain all the essential amino acids, making them helpful for building and repairing muscle.
Dara Oda in Ben Stevenson's Alice in Wonderland with Texas Ballet Theater. Photo by Amitava Sarkar, Courtesy Texas Ballet Theater
These three current professionals opened up about opting for a degree first, how it impacted their careers and their favorite college memories.
Dara Oda, Texas Ballet Theater Dancer
Photo by Max Caro, Courtesy of Texas Ballet Theater
Belhaven University, BFA in dance (ballet emphasis), 2014
Growing up, Dara Oda knew she wanted to dance professionally, but she didn't feel ready to audition at the end of high school. "It was really easy to think of college as a fallback," she says. But her perception soon changed. "When I went to Belhaven and saw the level of training I would be getting, that encouraged me to pursue my dream but also be proactive and get my degree at the same time."
Words of wisdom: As a morning mental warm-up, Stephanie Rae Williams, of Dance Theatre of Harlem, recites an affirmation, like "Today is a great day" or "You can and you will." After she suffered an injury onstage, she also started saying a mantra in the wings, such as "I am strong. I am healthy. I am capable." It helps quell her nerves backstage.
DTH's Stephanie Rae Williams shares her smart conditioning tips. Photo by Rachel Neville, Courtesy Dance Theatre of Harlem.
