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Ron Albertson, the Hamilton Spectator Kristin Stawiarski danced the role of the little girl in The Nutcracker several years ago. She will dancing the role of the mother this weekend at Hamilton Place.

By Gary Smith
The Hamilton Spectator
(Dec 6, 2006)

When she was three years old Kristin Stawiarski used to dance around the living room. "Take that girl to dance class," her grandmother said.

"All I remember is having a room full of dance books and ballerina dolls. At first it was all just for fun," the pretty blond says. "But then, as I got older, it took a turn toward something else and became far more serious."

The first ballet Stawiarski ever saw was The Nutcracker at Hamilton Place. The next year she was auditioning for a part in the big production.

"That was in 1997," Stawiarski remembers. "I was 11 years old and I danced in the party scene. The best part of it all was being on that big stage and meeting the real ballet dancers who came from Kiev to star in the production.

"Since I started in recreational dance, not professional study, I had to learn to adapt to the stage," Stawiarski says. "'I had to learn about presentation, about telling a story onstage. It was a major learning curve. I mean, people were paying for tickets to see the show, and I felt partly responsible for delivering something really good."

After four years in the chorus, Stawiarski stepped into the principal role of Sophia in the Hamilton Nutcracker production.

"That made a lot of demands on me," she says. "There were so many rehearsals. I was just 13, and the idea of committing so much time was something new for me."

After her star turn, Stawiarski retuned to the chorus and played a rat in the big transformation scene. "That was exciting, too," she remembers. "I mean it was more interpretive, more about movement than dance, and anytime you are onstage you find ways to make what you are doing important for the story."

After a couple of years of helping backstage, Stawiarski is back front and centre this year.

"Here I am playing the mother in the party scene. It's a bit like Sophia grows up, I suppose. I have to think what it would be like to have children and to care for them. That's a totally different experience for me."

Currently at McMaster studying health sciences, 18-year-old Stawiarski admits she has always been good with sciences. "My brain seems to think that way," she shrugs.

"I think I will always dance, but right now I'm looking at something in the medical field for my life's work."

With a history of service to others, Stawiarski is an avid volunteer who offers herself to many worthwhile projects. She is a volunteer with the Canadian Ballet Youth Ensemble and started the project Kids Helping Kids.

"It's about young people in The Nutcracker raising funds each year so that deserving youngsters in the community can come see the show. That appeals to me a lot. I am lucky in my own life, and to share something with others is part of the whole spirit of Christmas and The Nutcracker experience."

A dancer for life, Stawiarski teaches in Ancaster and continues her own training at Hamilton City Ballet but it's The Nutcracker that is occupying her heart and soul right now.

"Fortunately my exams at McMaster don't start until after the ballet is over," she grins. "I'll have my chemistry books backstage, though, and be sneaking a peek every chance I get.

"I think people will love the Ballet Ouest de Montreal version of The Nutcracker," she smiles.

"It's a nonthreatening ballet. You don't have to really be into dance to like it. It's a great first experience."

Gary Smith has written on theatre and dance for The Hamilton Spectator for more than 25 years.

What: The Nutcracker Who: Ballet Ouest de Montreal and Canadian Ballet Youth Ensemble Where: Hamilton Place When: Dec. 8 and 9, at 7:30 p.m. Matinee: Dec. 9 and 10, at 2 p.m. Tickets: 905-527-7666 Showtime