SARATOGA SPRINGS — This year, ballet dancer Kendra Teator has graduated from being the understudy to principle character of the Sugar Plum Fairy in this year’s production of the Nutcracker.
Teator first slipped on a pair of ballet shoes at age three. By the time she was seven years old, it became more than just an extracurricular activity, but a diligent part of her life. In addition, she has become skilled in the art of modern dance.
For years Teator has studied at Saratoga City Ballet, which is known for being active with the city’s ballet gala, and their nutcracker production – in which Teator herself has performed some of her favorite roles.
“Last year I was the Snow Queen, and I was actually the understudy for Sugar Plum, but this is the first time I’ll be performing it,” said Teator.
Dance is not a seasonal activity for Teator. In addition to taking courses at Saratoga City Ballet, she has also been a part of Narce, a local modern dance company production, and she has taken part in summer intensives at Pittsburgh Ballet Theater.
For Teator, her biggest support system would be her family, who constantly supports her on and off the stage.
“They (her family) always come to all of my performances. When I got injured last year, they were always there for me,” said Teator. “I got a stress fracture, and a minor sprain in my ankle. And I think it was from overusing it.” I was out for a month and then I went to Pittsburgh. It was one after the other.”
Teator dedicates roughly 12 hours a week in the studio and prioritizes at home stretching in between. The wear and tear practicing sometimes has on the body may be the only thing she dislikes about the artform. In spite of that, she enjoys the challenge and combination of both physical technique and art.
Though her years of practicing dance in Saratoga Springs is coming to an end, Teator doesn’t plan to stray too far away from a studio.
“I’m planning on going to college for architecture,” said Teator. “But I want to keep dancing for as long as I can.”
You can see Teator and the rest of the Saratoga City Ballet dancers on December 7 and 8, at the Hart Theater at the Egg, Empire State Plaza in Albany as they perform their 26th annual Nutcracker production.
