It takes months of planning and more than 100 cast and crew to put on the holiday production

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — The hustle and bustle of showbiz masks the smooth performance seen on stage. Preparation starts in July to put on “The Nutcracker” at Cobb Energy Center. Atlanta Ballet dancers rehearse for a month. 

Director of production Nicole Walters said it takes over 48 hours to load in all the larger-than-life set pieces, equipment and colorful costumes. The performance features more than 60 cast members and dozens more behind the scenes.

“We have riggers, carpenters, lighting, sound, we have automation, projectionists,” Walters said. “It’s a huge, massive undertaking with this show. On the production side of it, we’re thinking and talking Nutcracker from July. If something does happen during the show, I am quick to respond and act along with the stage manager. After the show, we’re meeting with our artistic director, getting a debrief on the show, his notes, my notes and just comparing notes and how we can make it better for the next show.”

Abby Thurman tries to thrive in the chaos of around 250 costumes that take over 2,000 hours to prepare. As wardrobe supervisor, Thurman makes sure every pair of tights is labeled, every layer is organized and coordinates dressers to run the show with all its quick changes.

“It is a very large, colorful performance,” Thurman said. “I do a lot of the prep once the costumes are built, altered and ready to go to get them to come to the theatre. I do everything I can so they can be well-equipped to just do it without having to go through a novel of training. My goal for the dancers is to make them feel as comfortable and beautiful as they can so they’re not thinking about their costume when they’re on stage.”

Thurman called the show a spectacle, one that shows off challenging choreography, stamina and rich special effects. Performers train and come from all over the world at the height of their dancing prowess.

A demanding performance deserves an audience. Thousands of Cobb County second graders got to see “The Nutcracker” as part of the Kids in Step program, an initiative run by Atlanta Ballet. The Atlanta Ballet Center for Dance Education also works with more than 800 students through different community partnerships throughout the year. 

For Nicole Walters, introducing kids to the performing arts and the magic that comes with them never gets old. 

“We’re the gateway into them experiencing something they never have before,” Walters said. “A lot of kids don’t realize the arts can be a profession and just also a hobby or something they can get into that’ll bring them joy and give them discipline and purpose in life.”

“The Nutcracker” runs until Dec. 27 at the Cobb Energy Center.