Tim Van Tuinen, a partner at MST, was recently asked to perform in the iconic role of Mother Ginger in Toledo Ballet’s 82 performance of The Nutcracker – the longest-running, annual production of The Nutcracker in the country. Mother Ginger is a character with roots in the commedia dell’arte and usually appears in a comically oversized skirt from under which young children emerge to dance the part of candies (Gingersnaps in Toledo Ballet’s production). Leaders throughout the community are asked annually to perform in this role, which brings a light-hearted distraction from the more serious roles in the ballet.