Ursula Smith choreographs inaugural ‘Brown Sugar Nutcracker’ performance

Even during the first week of dance practice in May, choreographer Ursula Smith knew Birmingham’s inaugural “Brown Sugar Nutcracker” was going to be beautiful in more ways than one. 

After Smith, a dancer and instructor, taught her crew one of the African dance songs that makes up part of the “Brown Sugar Nutcracker” production, a young actor’s parent texted her that night and said their daughter loved it so much that she sang the song in bed until she fell asleep. This sort of inspiration, Smith said, is why she created this community venture in the first place.

“I wanted to create a tradition for Birmingham, for Christmas, for mothers and daughters and fathers to come together and be a part of something they could do together,” she said. “The beautiful thing about it is we have families coming, church groups coming, different community members coming. … It’s needed, so needed, and that’s the power of the arts.”

Smith said she wanted to take something that was familiar to everyone and change it in a way that would be relevant to people of color in this generation. So, she decided to take the traditional story of the Nutcracker and rewrite it with a series of magical twists and turns and a lot of surprises, while also combining dance, song and live drumming. 

“We are living in a time now where representation matters, and it’s so important for kids to see representations of themselves and to see versions of themselves because if you can’t see it, you can’t believe it, right?” Smith said.

At 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1, the “Brown Sugar Nutcracker” will make its inaugural debut at the Dorothy Jemison Day Theatre. 

Smith said the Brown Sugar Nutcracker is family-friendly and combines elements from the original Nutcracker performance in a different way, with the addition of a huge twist in the storyline. In April, auditions were held and about 50 participants, from 6 to 60 years old, were chosen from all over the state of Alabama, Georgia and Florida. Since then, Smith said “these girls have been working and working” and practicing rehearsals since the summer. 

“I wanted to put on something where these kids could inspire other kids even though we are telling the story where we are going off to these magical lands,” she said. “It’s a tale of culture, and it’s a tale of tradition, and it’s a fusion of Kwanza and Christmas… but it’s one where you will leave inspired, you will leave enlightened and motivated to be a better person.”

Smith, who spent several months creating and choreographing the production, said if you’ve ever seen the traditional Nutcracker, this one is nothing like it. 

For some of the participants, this will be their first dance experience. 

“This project is so layered. It gives hope to kids. It is bringing a sense of community. … I didn’t realize the ripple effect this project would have,” Smith said, saying that people have already been buying tickets and asking how to get involved next year.

Smith, born and raised in Birmingham, had always been involved in some facet of art as a child, all the way from pre-K through high school. Even though she said her mom couldn’t afford dance classes growing up, Smith became “really rooted and grounded through the school system and church.” 

“I always, always loved dance. My mom would say I was so dramatic growing up as a kid, and that I’ve always had an interest in the arts,” she said, specifically in “movement that inspires.”

It wasn’t until her late teens that Smith started pursuing dance professionally, by traveling to attend different dance conferences, studying with various local and regional dance companies and eventually immersing herself in the Birmingham community. “I’ve always been involved in some kind of way. I basically just had to create my way of learning with limited opportunities growing up,” she said.

Smith now has 18 years of combined dancing, teaching and choreographing experience, specifically in West African dance, South African dance, liturgical dance, ballet and various modern forms, some of which the “Brown Sugar Nutcracker” includes. Through her company, Quantum Leaps Dance, she has taught classes all over Birmingham in different community centers, at the Dance Foundation in Homewood and in various churches. Generally, she said, she teaches ages 3 to 18.

Dance, Smith said, is a way to “express the heart.”

“Sometimes you can’t articulate with words what you’re feeling, but movement — that’s a language that is understood by all,” Smith said. “It doesn’t matter your race. It doesn’t matter the language you speak. It doesn’t matter what side of tracks you’re on. Everybody can relate to dance.”

Dance gives a platform for kids to express themselves and helps with confidence, self esteem, communication and even with focusing on academics, Smith said.

“I didn’t have those opportunities growing up, so I wanted to change that for the children in the community, exposing them to the many facets of dance,” Smith said. “And whether they decide to pursue it or not, that’s great. It’s a vehicle to communicate to them life lessons, purpose and destiny. I use it as an inspirational tool to the youth in Birmingham.”

To purchase tickets to the “Brown Sugar Nutcracker” or learn more about attending classes taught by Smith, go to ursulasmithdance.com.