The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond XXX

Colin Kurtz
Jeanine Stansfield, Teacher
Warren-Prescott School
I’m standing as still as I possibly can, and there is fog swirling all around my
feet. Slowly the curtain opens into the darkness. A spotlight shines on Clara
as she enters the Candyland. I can begin to see the thousands of people
gazing up at the stage where I am standing. No one can actually recognize me
because I’m dressed the same as the twelve people standing with me. This was
my first appearance in the Boston Ballet Company’s annual Nutcracker.
My face was hidden, which calmed my nerves, so that if I stepped out of line
only the director would know it was me. I mostly felt relaxed, but my stomach
would tighten as we moved around the stage and I fought to remember which
way to turn. When I auditioned for this ballet, I had never been to a ballet and
had no idea how big the stage was and how many people would be there. My
journey to the Nutcracker started in the third grade when the Boston Ballet
Company came to my school looking for kids who were enthusiastic about
dance. That was me!
Little steps of courage and dedication led to a tremendous opportunity. I feel
proud that I was able to achieve something many boys don’t even have the
chance to try. Most people would say that boys should not do ballet. I disagree.
I think anyone should have the right to do whatever they want to do no matter
what society thinks. My definition of courage is to do something that you may
be afraid of, or unwilling to do. But you do it anyway.
The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond
58