By David Harry
Staff Writer

Scarborough High School senior Elizabeth Dragoni is very adept at staying on her toes.
As a member of the Maine State Ballet, she will reprise the role of Clara in the upcoming production of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” for the fourth time. It is the depth of emotion she brings to her dance steps that excites artistic director Linda Miele.
“I think you see a natural progression of maturity,” Miele said of Dragoni’s performances, coming to Merrill Auditorium in Portland beginning Saturday and again Sunday before concluding Dec. 4, 5 and 6.
Dragoni said she has been dancing since she was 4 and has been with the Maine State Ballet since sixth grade.
She was referred to Maine State Ballet by a friend after dancing in more “Broadway-oriented” productions, she said.
“It is a lot different because other types of dance are more free-form,” Dragoni said. “To be a ballet dancer, you have to be physically and mentally on a different plane.”
Dragoni said mastering the steps for dance comes through constant rehearsals.
“That’s where the pain and bloody toes come in,” Dragoni said. “Now I know more about dance and my life so I can expand the part.”
Miele said Dragoni’s increased confidence is evident and praised her growth.
“She has really become Clara, and it is wonderful to watch,” Miele said. “She is an excellent example for younger dancers to see it is OK to let emotion come and be an actress.”
Dancing onstage at the Merrill Auditorium was “a little frightening” at first, Dragoni said, although she had performed onstage in elementary school and with Schoolhouse Productions in Standish.
Dragoni said playing Clara, who journeys through a winter landscape with the Nutcracker Prince after he comes to life on Christmas Eve, nearly brought tears to her eyes as she danced certain scenes last year.
“Something inside like this light comes on,” she said.
Ballet courses and performances are offered throughout the year at Maine State Ballet. Miele said perhaps 30 to 40 percent of the cast has performed “The Nutcracker” more than once.
Dragoni said Glen Davis, who dances the role of the Nutcracker Prince, has been with Maine State Ballet for 14 years.
Dragoni said “The Nutcracker” is a tradition for the ballet troupe and families.
“It is the number one thing we look forward to, it is just magical,” said Dragoni.
With dance classes held four times a week and rehearsals on Saturdays, Dragoni said ballet takes a lot of time. She also has a job and is hoping to attend Saint Joseph’s College in Standish. That will allow her to continue dancing with Maine State Ballet.
“Ballet is a huge part of my life, I don’t think I can live without it,” Dragoni said.
She will be joined onstage by local residents Hannah and Nicholas Anderson, Keisha Christopher, Katherine Connolly, Emma Greenwich and Diane and Maiki Saito, said Eliza Miller of the Maine State Ballet.
Tickets for “The Nutcracker” are on sale now through Porttix at 842-0800 or www.porttix.com. For more information, call 781-7672 or visit www.mainestateballet.org.

Staff writer David Harry can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 219