In the third and final installment of our ‘Big Chair’ interview series for The Nutcracker, Atlanta Ballet chats with the young lady who sits in the chair the most often. Join us as we dive into Marie’s love for books (she might have read more than you), her intriguing family dynamics, and her princely escapades to far-off lands. Plus, find out who—or what—occupies her dreamy thoughts when she's not on stage!

Marie, you’re rather comfortable in this Big Chair, aren’t you?

I’ve comfortable in chairs both big and small! It’s the transformation that’s a little harder to handle. One minute I am snoozing in my cozy little chair, the next I find myself in this giant throne surrounded by mice. And when I do eventually clamber off, I get right in the middle of an epic battle between toy soldiers and rodents. It turns out fighting off large, furry, squeaky warriors isn’t quite as glamorous as it sounds.

Your entire dream sequence has become an annual holiday tradition for millions of ballet fans. How do you handle the pressure?

When life starts to feel like a never-ending juggling act, I love helping my mom, Frau Stahlbaum, in the kitchen. She has a knack for whipping up the most stunning charcuterie cheese boards that would make any Instagram foodie swoon. She’s always on the lookout for ways to impress our guests, but we have to be careful—if they look too visually appealing, that pesky Mouse King might just show up for a nibble on the Stilton!

Was an ugly Nutcracker doll really on your holiday wish list?

Well, a book would have been my first choice, obviously, but there was just something about the twinkle in the Nutcracker doll’s gold tooth that caught my eye. Admittedly, he’s not winning any beauty contests, but I figured he was worth fighting my brother Fritz for. And when Drosselmeier sprinkled his magic and turned him into a dashing, handsome young prince, I became the envy of the cheer team.

What will you be reading this holiday season?

Of Mice and Men was part of our school curriculum this term, and it was quite challenging! Now that school is out for the holidays, I'm looking to decompress with something a little more lighthearted. I am about to start reading Hiddensee in hopes of uncovering more about my mysterious godfather, Drosselmeier. Marie’s Nutcracker is on my list because my friends at school are raving about its original illustrations. Of course, there's one book I always read during this time of year, and that’s the big book in my cabinet filled with stories from around the world. It’s magical—it defends against mice and grows to a tremendous size on stage! I can't wait to turn its pages and see where it takes me.

Tell us more about your travel to fantastical places. What is your favorite destination?

That’s a tough question! I guess the best way to answer it is to say I love different parts of all the enchanting lands I visit. Who can resist the snake charmers in Arabia? Then there's that fancy chicken in France that’s dressed to the nines and puts my wardrobe to shame. And let’s not forget the folk dances in Russia, the Paso Doble in Spain, or the fan dancing in China. But at the end of the day, the real joy comes from traveling with the one you love. Everything’s more fun when you’ve got someone special to share the moment with.

So the Nutcracker Prince is your boyfriend then. You’re not ‘just good friends’ after all?

Shh, don’t say the word 'boyfriend' too loudly. My mom might overhear, and, before you know it, we’ll have a full-blown rumor mill at her party. I’m really too young for a boyfriend, but one can dream, right? I’m an expert dreamer. And if the dashing Nutcracker prince is still on the market when I’m older, sign me up. I’m blushing, aren’t I? Gosh, this is so embarrassing!

What do you dream of becoming when you are a grown-up?

I aspire to be a book editor, a publisher, or a movie producer, or even all three. My parents have always taught me that the sky's the limit, and I believe I have proven that I can dream big. Very big!

What is your relationship like with your younger brother, Fritz?

Fritz can be quite the troublemaker, but he’s my brother, so I’ve mastered the art of ignoring his antics. He has a special talent for winding up all the other kids and definitely plays his trumpet far too loudly. It’s particularly disturbing when I’m lost in a good book. Nothing quite like a terrible trumpet solo to interrupt a thrilling plot twist.

How would your friends describe you?

I think they would describe me as imaginative (dreaming of faraway lands), courageous (overcoming a battle with mice), and kind (forgiving my younger brother for breaking the Nutcracker doll).

What do you plan to do on Christmas morning?

I’m gearing up to shower my family with gifts, snap a mountain of selfies, indulge in a festive breakfast, and text my friends to see what goodies they've unwrapped. Fingers crossed that Fritz doesn't get any noisy gifts—if he does, I’ll just have to coax him into burying his head in one of my books.

Any particular book you would coax him into reading?

Definitely not the magic storybook that whisks me away to fantastical places. That’s my scene, and unfortunately for Fritz, brothers are not on the guest list!

Meet Marie and other characters from Atlanta Ballet's The Nutcracker this holiday season. Experience it all at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, until December 27, 2025. Limited tickets available!

Photo credits:
Atlanta Ballet dancers. Photo by Shoccara Marcus.
Atlanta Ballet dancer Denys Nedak with Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education students. Photo by Shoccara Marcus.
Atlanta Ballet dancers. Photo by Kim Kenney.
Atlanta Ballet dancers Mikaela Santos and Sayron Pereira. Photo by Kim Kenney.
Atlanta Ballet dancer Gianna Horton-Sibble with Atlanta Ballet dancers. Photo by Kim Kenney.