The Crooked Tree Arts Center (CTAC) School of Ballet's upcoming annual production of "The Nutcracker" features a special alumna as the Sugar Plum Fairy: Taylor Naturkas, now principal soloist of the Miami City Ballet.
Growing up in Petoskey, Naturkas began her ballet training at age four and studied with Heather Raue at the CTAC School of Ballet for 11 years. Her career has since burgeoned: she trained with the Miami City Ballet School at age 15, received her Corps de Ballet contract in 2020 and was promoted to principal soloist in 2024 at age 21.
Naturkas told IPR's Amanda Sewell she's excited for this weekend's production because her family in Petoskey will get to see her dance.
"Growing up, they came to every 'Nutcracker' performance, but now that I'm in Miami it's harder for them to get there," she said. "It will be nice to have them all there."
As far as revisiting the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy, Naturkas said that when she danced the role as a teenager at Crooked Tree, it was one of her first times dancing a pas de deux (a partner dance).
Now, years later, she takes more time to think through the character. "She's regal, she's the queen of the land of the sweets, she's mature," Naturkas said. "I think when I was fifteen and dancing the part, it was bright and quick and sparkly. Now I can play more with textures and the choreography and think about what it means to be the Sugar Plum Fairy."
Raue, who is CTAC School of Ballet's Artistic Director, expressed her excitement for Naturkas's return home in a press release.
"Taylor first danced Sugar Plum Fairy with us when she was just 13 years old. What a full-circle moment to have her home to dance Sugar with us again, all these years later," said Raue.
Watch Naturkas in "The Nutcracker" on Saturday, December 20, at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, December 21, at 3 p.m. at the Great Lakes Center for the Arts. Ticket reservations are required for entry and are available by calling 231-439-2100 or on this website.
