For almost 13 years, Maggie Wright has been with Ballet West. And for almost 10 years, she has danced the Sugar Plum Fairy in the annual holiday classic "The Nutcracker."
This year, however, Wright is stepping aside to focus on some more important things.
"I'm going to have a baby," the principal dancer said during an interview in the Ballet West offices at the Capitol Theatre. "So, unfortunately I will be unable to dance as the Sugar Plum Fairy this season."
The announcement came right after her critically acclaimed performances as Kate in Ballet West's season-opener "Taming of the Shrew" and the company's successful tour of China. In fact, when the company went to China, Wright was a few weeks into her first trimester.
"Everything was set for the trip to China," Wright said. "And there wasn't any way to get out of it. So, we're finally getting around to the announcement."
Wright is excited about the new addition to her life with her husband, Dennis Tesch. "My husband and I have been thinking of starting our own family for a few years," Wright said. "We've been married eight years last September, and we felt the time was right. All of our friends have made their own families, and we wanted to, too."
Like most dancers who are faced with taking time off to raise a family, Wright had to make a decision about what to do with her career. "I love being in Ballet West," she said. "You get to tour, and you are able to dance in a company with such wonderful repertory. I'm not sure what will happen after the child is born, but I'm preparing myself for anything."
The baby's due date is in April, and Wright said she has spoken with Ballet West artistic-director Jonas Kage about her career. "Before we announced the pregnancy, Jonas confided in me about the works he was planning to do this year. And I'm very happy things have worked out the way they have. There are some wonderful works that will be performed, but I'm not as attached to them. They're mostly new works that I have never danced. While I'll miss dancing some of the new works, I won't be missing some of my favorite roles — like Kate."
When Wright began dancing, her goals consisted of doing the best she could, no matter what it took. "Dancing is a career that you're in for only a short time. And I wanted to dance as many roles, and I wanted to have the chance to do a variety of numbers, as I could."
These days, her goals consist of not only being a great dancer but also being a good parent. "I don't know what my physical condition will be after the baby is born," Wright said. "But I want to be sure I can be a great mom."
Wright said she is planning to bring the baby into the office from time to time.
"Everyone here has been so supportive," Wright said of her colleagues in Ballet West. "I'd like to make the child a company baby and have her with me as much a possible. Although I don't know what is going to happen in the future, I know the door is open for me to come back."
"She'll be back," said Kage as he stopped by the office for a few seconds. "You can quote me on that."
Although Wright will not be on stage as much — she will dance some small character roles such as the maid in "The Nutcracker" — she plans to do a lot of public relations work for Ballet West, something that she has done in the past as a principal dancer.
"I hope they use me to do some outreach programs," Wright said. "I have done it in the past, and it's a wonderful experience. I like to think that I'm connecting with the children and letting them know that the dancers on stage are just people like them, so they don't have to be afraid of us. I have made it known that I am very much interested in continuing to do just that. I hope they use me to meet children. I'm available."
As for the Sugar Plum Fairy in this season's "Nutcracker," Wright said she's confident things will work out.
"This year there will be a new Sugar Plum Fairy," she said. "In addition to Jessica Harston, Michiyo Hayashi and Leslie Larsen, we'll have Kristin Hakala doing the role. Even if I wasn't pregnant, I think Kristin would have been dancing the role this season anyway. So I don't think this season will be strapped for Sugar Plum Fairies."
E-MAIL: scott@desnews.com