By MICHAEL BOYLAN
Weekend Editor

When Hayley Stevenson was 5 years old, she saw a performance of “The Nutcracker” in Sacramento. After the show, she turned to her mother and said, “I want to do that.”

It's been eight years since then and the Stevensons have moved all the way across the country, but Hayley has been in several productions of the Nutcracker since that magical day when she saw her first performance. And starting Dec. 3 she will entertain audiences as Marya in one of the Atlanta Ballet's casts of “The Nutcracker” at the Fox Theatre.

Hayley started dancing, ballet and tap, at the age of 3. Her studies became more serious at the age of 8, as she took more classes and focused more on technique. Her family moved to Peachtree City in 1995.

She began her career with the Atlanta Ballet and was involved in their production of “The Nutcracker” from then on. She has been everything from a party child to a black lamb. In her third year of doing the production, Hayley played Nicholas, the bratty little brother of Marya. She is now Marya, in this her fifth year, and the part is quite close to home for the ballerina.

“Marya is between the ages of 14 and 15,” explains Stevenson. “She is torn between wanting to play with dolls and wanting to meet boys. Marya falls in love during the party scene and also dreams of becoming a ballerina when she gets shoes as a gift.”

In addition to her role as Marya, Stevenson will also portray the pink lamb. She is enjoying the role of Marya, though, as it stretches her both as a dancer and as a performer.

“There is a lot of acting involved in the part,” said Stevenson. “There is a lot of improvisation in the modern classes and we try to interpret what the music is saying. Each performance is a little different because the actions get monotonous from doing it so many times in rehearsals.”

She finds a lot to spice up each performance though, and it is impossible for her to hide the enthusiasm that she has for dancing. Hayley takes classes year round with the Atlanta Ballet and participates in as many productions as she can. She travels to camps every summer and continues to work her way up the divisions of the Atlanta Ballet. She gets assistance and advice from many people within the company, including Christine Walker, a dancer who was in that production of “The Nutcracker” in Sacramento that inspired Stevenson. They shared the stage in Atlanta Ballet's production of “Peter Pan,” as Darling siblings Wendy and Michael.

“Everybody is great,” said Stevenson. “Christine, Rose Myles, John McFall... they are all very helpful and the whole group is so tight-knit. We can just talk about anything.” Stevenson also gets help and advice from her family. Both her mother and her sister, Hannah, dance and they assist each other with flexibility and strength exercises, as well as moves. Also, her mother drives, which neither Stevenson daughter can do quite yet.

“My family is awesome,” Stevenson said. “They know the schedules of both my sister and me, pack our homework, bring dinner when we rehearse late. They are just very supportive.”

Stevenson's love of ballet is enormous. Not only does it encourage her creativity, health and athleticism, but it encourages other good habits and makes her seem very mature for her age. “Ballet keeps me focused. You follow a strict curriculum and care about what you do. You have to get good grades and stay out of trouble, if you want to continue.” So far, Stevenson is passing those tests. She is a student at St. Paul Lutheran School and has found that many people at school are interested and encouraging of her pursuits.

Stevenson won't be on stage every night as Marya. The Atlanta Ballet realizes the stress that nightly performances for a month would incur on adolescents.

They also want to give as many children as possible the experience of being on stage in a large production.

“The Nutcracker” begins at the Fox Theatre Dec. 3 and runs through Dec. 31. As for Hayley, she will enjoy her time as Marya and looks forward to some upcoming productions and opportunities.

And perhaps there will be a little girl in the audience this year that sees Marya receive her shoes and fall in love, and she will turn to her mother and say, “I want to do that.”

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