NMH Dance Company Reawakens "Sleeping Beauty"

An iconic fairytale gets a modern twist when the Northfield Mount Hermon Dance Program presents "Sleeping Beauty Reawakened" Feb. 26 to 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Chiles Theater. The winter show combines elements of ballet and modern dance with Afro-, Latin-, and K-Pop-inspired choreography to offer a retelling of Sleeping Beauty that centers friendship and family as the "kiss" that breaks the curse.

The performance marks a return for the company to a narrative-driven dance show after several showcase-style performances in past years.

"We wanted something that was accessible to the kids," said Gretel Schatz, director of the dance program. "We weren't interested in the whole 'damsel in distress, true love's kiss' narrative. Instead, this is a story of the consequences of leaving people out, of making something in community, and taking care of community."

Set in the present day, "Sleeping Beauty Reawakened" follows two new parents struggling to adjust to life with a newborn. They recruit the help of four "aunties" — a twist on the fairy godmother trope — but incur the scorn of the fifth aunty, Carabosse, when they neglect to invite her to a family party.

Carabosse foretells disaster for the child, Aurora, if she should ever prick her finger. After an ill-advised tattoo on her 16th birthday, Aurora and her friends and family fall under a sleeping spell for 100 years. With the help of the aunties and the power of empathy, a heroine steps in to wake the sleeping revelers and break the spell.

"Looking at all the different versions of this story over time, it's not just about magic or romance," said dance teacher Nicole Williams. "It's about fate, prophecy, bodily autonomy, and family in a way that is very universal, which opened it up and made it much easier to think of the story in a way that incorporates multiple perspectives."

Preparation and planning for the show began last spring. Schatz and Williams choreographed the majority of the dances, along with three student-choreographed pieces. Developing a full-length performance required extensive coordination with the tech and costume crews to develop props, set designs, lighting, sound, and outfits that complement the movement and help drive the narrative.

Over 30 dancers and approximately 30 crew members have contributed to the making of "Sleeping Beauty Reawakened," said Schatz. "It's a lot of work, but the process is also super fun. I frequently leave rehearsal thinking how glad we're doing this."

To fill out the large cast, students from every skill level in the NMH dance program, from senior members of the dance company to students taking cocurricular classes, were recruited. Working with such a varied group of dancers required intentional planning on the part of choreographers, said Williams. "It's a balance between not watering it down but not making it something out of reach, either. Gretel does a really great job of helping to contextualize what we're doing so students understand it. I love co-teaching with her, and I'm so grateful for our costumer and technical director. Working together, we can amplify the ideas and how we're telling the story."

For Alycia Nyamache '28, the challenge of learning so many dances in a short time period is tempered by the sense of joy and collaboration among the cast and faculty. "I really value the way that they put an emphasis on the fun part of it and not just getting it perfect.”

Being in the dance company has exposed her to new techniques and perspectives from around the world, Nyamache added. "It's a nice space to just immerse yourself in. The dance company is a very multilingual place. I think that sort of cultural mixing pot helped bring us together."

"The dance company has always been a place I can go to seek comfort and a tight-knit community,” said Maren Batchelder '26, who plays Aunt Lily, the fairy of wisdom, clarity, and joy. “As a freshman, I loved how seniors created a safe environment. I hope to continue that so dancers feel safe and comfortable."

Even for veterans of the dance company, the narrative structure of "Sleeping Beauty Reawakened" has been a challenge, said Cherry Liu '26, who plays the titular character Aurora. "This is definitely a special experience, because telling one long story is very hard with only movement, which really pushed all of us to grow as performers.”

Taken all together, the level of creativity and collaboration that have gone into bringing "Sleeping Beauty Reawakened" to life is a shining example of the hard work and values that define the dance company and NMH at large, said Batchelder.

"My four years with the dance company at Northfield Mount Hermon have taught me the importance of not just being in a community that sees you and knows you, but also the role that being ‘in community’ has played in shaping my empathy and self-confidence," she said. "Growing up nurtured by this astounding community has helped me be vulnerable, sustaining me in my most challenging moments while also teaching me to be there for others."

"NMH students hold themselves to high standards," Schatz said. "Nicole and I hold them to high standards, too, and some of those standards are the expectation of playful exploration. Everyone needs a little fun in life. Hopefully, this show will bring people joy and scratch a creative itch of their own."

—Max Hunt

The NMH Dance Company presents “Sleeping Beauty Reawakened” on Thursday, Feb. 26, at 7:30 pm, with additional shows on Friday, Feb. 27 and Saturday, Feb. 28. Tickets can be reserved online.

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