The holiday season is officially upon us! For many, this most magical time of year is associated with Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s final ballet-- the enchanting, dreamlike story of a girl whose nutcracker comes to life on Christmas Eve. This season, thanks to a partnership with the Alabama Ballet, UAB Sports and Exercise Medicine is helping to keep the entire cast of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker® en pointe.
Nationally recognized, the Alabama Ballet is one of eight dance companies in the world the Balanchine Trust licensed to perform George Balanchine's The Nutcracker®. Though first danced more than 130 years ago, scholars believe it is this influential choreographer’s 1954 version that made the ballet a Christmas classic and, for many, an annual tradition. To this day, the New York City Ballet calls George Balanchine's The Nutcracker® “one of the most complex theatrical staged ballets” in their repertoire.
UAB Sports and Exercise Medicine aims to set an elevated standard of care for all athletes and proudly adds this accomplished group of professional performing artists to the many conventional sports teams it supports. Embracing dancers of all styles and skill levels, the department’s dedicated team of providers is committed to consistently offer the highest quality of care.
As the official medical provider for the UAB Cheer and Dance teams, the UAB Sports and Exercise Medicine team has extensive experience treating dancers. Several physicians have provided care for esteemed ballet companies, like Ballet Memphis and the Saint Louis Ballet. Their expertise covers a wide range of medical needs, ranging from injuries to illnesses, nutrition, and mental health.
“This partnership emphasizes UAB Sports and Exercise Medicine's unique expertise with the medical issues that affect dancers and performing artists in general,” says Dale Colorado, D.O., M.P.H., Medical Director, Sports and Musculoskeletal Medicine. “It highlights our dedication to providing specialized care to help dancers return to their high-level activities.”