"I remember the enchanted world I was whisked into when the curtains began to rise."

Little Celina as a Christmas Doll

My first role was Hungarian Doll. I was pretty convinced that there could be no better role; that it was my time to shine. As I progressed through the roles of baby mouse, mother ginger child, party girl, candy-cane, until finally flower, Nutcracker came to be a part of my life in an unbelievably momentous way. Ron Cunningham and Carinne Binda have taught me how to perform, how to smile until my face shook, and of course how to perfect the technique that went into the more difficult roles. Every September for 12 years, I stood outside Sacramento Ballet studios, with my hair back in a crispy hair-sprayed bun, black leotard and pink tights, my heart fluttering no matter how many times I went through the audition. Rehearsal was exhilarating, especially magical when we finally got to perform with the actual professionals. By the time we were performing on stage, for dress rehearsals and performances, I was absolutely giddy with the thought of dancing for an actual audience. The nervousness and anticipation never went away as I stood behind the wings, counting the seconds until my first entrance. By the time I was a flower in the Waltz of the Flowers, I could not believe that I had reached the role that I couldn’t possibly dreamed of having when I was a six year-old doll being lifted up by the Big Mice. 

Celina (front row, left) as a Center Angel

Thank you to everyone in the Sacramento Ballet community, especially Ms. Binda and Mr. Cunningham, for the highlight of my year for twelve years in a row. Every time I hear the prologue to The Nutcracker play, those same flutters start to occur and I remember the enchanted world I was whisked into when the curtains began to rise. 

Celina Culver

Celina (in yellow) as a Flower