'Trusting the process'

BOWLING GREEN -- As of last Saturday, the Black Swamp Fine Arts School's production of "Masha and the Nutcracker" wasn't quite looking like Hayley Havener wanted. "In my brain, I want this perfectly organized," the Findlay resident and artistic director for the ballet said. "But there is some chaos at that point." But, to use a current catchphrase, Havener knows to "trust the process." "The kids take a lot of responsibility," she said. "Usually, they know what they're supposed to be wearing, where they're supposed to be, what they're supposed to be doing. And they do a good job. ... I'm just really impressed by them every year." Havener is one of three with ties to the area among the cast of 65 students from Bowling Green's Black Swamp Fine Arts School and other locales who are cast in the production, which is slated to be performed at 3 and 7 p.m., Saturday at Findlay's Marathon Center for the Performing Arts. A shorter, toddler-friendly version will be performed at 1 p.m. Havener, who grew up and learned ballet in Findlay, is the fine arts school's director of dance and has been the artistic director for the ballet in all of its three years. The Black Swamp Fine Arts School did its first production of "Masha and the Nutcracker" in 2019 before the coronavirus pandemic prevented 2020 shows. It returned last year as a Christmas in July program at Bowling Green Middle School, and this year is making its first appearance at the Marathon Center. Among those Havener is directing are Daniell Flick, who teaches kindergarten at Jefferson Primary School in Findlay, and Archer Kottman, a 9-year-old from Bradner who attends Otsego Elementary School. "Masha and the Nutcracker" is an adaptation of E.T.A. Hoffman's 1816 novel "The Nutcracker," which Peter Tchaikovsky scored as a ballet in 1892. Versions of "The Nutcracker" have since become the traditional theater for the holiday season. Flick said a school visit from "The Nutcracker" dancers prompted her to begin taking lessons at the Black Swamp Fine Arts School. "I've been dancing here for almost six years and Hayley is my mentor," she said. "She helped me grow my passion, so I feel like being part of this -- this is my second year -- I'm really blessed to be part of this classical show." The production becomes a family affair for many, including Flick. The mother of three boys' husband, Brandon, and their 6-year-old son, Lachlan, have bit parts. Havener expressed gratitude for the support of the many fathers who are willing to lend their support. "They have to move across the stage with aplomb and poise and all that stuff, and they've been really, really willing to jump into those territories and commit to that," she said. Kottman is one of only three males with dancing roles in the ballet, and he's at the school three times a week for lessons. He also plays soccer and baseball and has found dance to be beneficial as a carryover. "It kind of helps with your reaction speed and time, and you get stronger," he said. Havener noted that dance can help people in many ways. "If you can control your body and keep it centered and be able to do all these other movements while keeping that core strong, that can help you excel in so many other sports," she said. "People don't realize how crucial ballet is for other activities because of the movement and the discipline and the strength that it takes. It's so good for everybody." Tickets are available online at https://www.mcpa.org/events/detail/masha-and-the-nutcracker or by calling 419-423-2787, ext. 100.