Local Dance Studio Overcomes Hurricane Helene’s Aftermath to Stage Annual Performance of The Nutcracker

MARTINEZ, Ga. – Local Dance Studio Prepares for Big Show After Hurricane Helene’s Destruction

In the heart of Martinez, Ga., a local dance studio is buzzing with energy and determination as it cleans up after the chaos brought on by Hurricane Helene. The Augusta Ballet studio faced significant challenges when six trees crashed onto its premises, but now, there’s a renewed sense of hope and excitement in the air.

“They were sitting down, and they were stretching, and I was videotaping that—I want to see all these happy smiles because they have a place that they can come back to that they’re really looking forward to,” said Kathleen Jones, the Associate Director of Augusta Ballet. The dancers are eager to return to their studio as they gear up for one of their biggest performances of the year: The Nutcracker.

Initial Worries and Community Spirit

When the storm hit, families watched anxiously as the damage unfolded. “Initially, when we had friends and family drive by and say they could barely see the studio, we figured the worst,” shared PJ Furno, a devoted parent. Fortunately, while the hurricane only impacted one side of the studio, it left two of the three studios intact for rehearsals. Nevertheless, the uncertainty hung heavy in the air.

David Vernon, another concerned parent, expressed his feelings: “We were all wondering if, you know, Nutcracker was going to be off this year. Or if we were going to be able to still find a place to perform. A place to rehearse.” The worry was palpable as families confronted the possibility of a canceled performance.

Emotional Stakes for Senior Dancers

For many families, this situation struck a particularly emotional chord. “They’ve already been through so much this generation. They went through Covid, and things were shutting down, and they were not doing performances for that year,” lamented Allison Farnell, who serves as both a parent and Costume Director. “I have a senior; this is her last Nutcracker, and so that became very emotional thinking like ‘am I done?’”

The thought of disrupted traditions was heartbreaking, especially considering the deep personal connections many had with the performance. With so much effort invested into preparing, the stakes felt high.

Relief on the Costume Front

One of the primary concerns was the condition of the costume closet. “These costumes are, most of them, hand-sewn and handmade. They’ve been used year after year after year. To replace those in such a small amount of time…” said Farnell, expressing the depth of her concern. Thankfully, upon assessing the situation, she received hopeful news— the costume room had remained intact amidst the chaos. “When I got that video, and they showed me that the costume room was okay, I mean, you just felt a breath of relief.”

A Community Coming Together

As the studio turned its focus towards recovering and reconstructing, the community’s support came shining through. “When there’s loss and discouragement and when reconstruction starts coming in, it’s so encouraging,” stated Ron Jones, the Artistic Director of Augusta Ballet. “People encourage one another just by watching these girls walk with this load in a wheelbarrow, and they’re all smiling.” The spirit of resilience and teamwork has made the recovery process a heartfelt journey.

Looking Ahead to Performance Night

Now only a week behind in their rehearsals, teachers and students are eager to bring back the joy that defines the Augusta Ballet. With renewed hope, they are ready to light up the stage once again. Mark your calendars; the showtime for *The Nutcracker* is set for 7 p.m. on December 6th at the Columbia County Performing Arts Center. It’s shaping up to be a magnificent evening filled with talent, dedication, and the heartfelt spirit of community!

In these challenging times, the resilience of the Augusta Ballet shines through, reminding us all that with hope, hard work, and support, we can overcome any obstacles that come our way.