Macon Magazine

112 maconmagazine.com | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2023 was assessing if I was ready for my first pair of pointe shoes and her saying to my mom, with a sly smile on her face, 'Go ahead 'Go ahead — get her some.' get her some.' This was one of the first of many times she showed confidence in my potential. She continued to encourage me throughout my training at her school and believed in my dream to one day be a professional dancer." As one of Weaver's more recent students, Shackelford said she found her always inspiring. "I believe she was in her 80s when she taught me, and it amazed me — she had more energy, wit, and fire than any kid in the room," she said. "It would have been truly wonderful to have been able to dance this year with her in the audience, but still, it's such an honor to come back and contribute as part of her legacy." Julie Wilkerson has a unique perspective of Weaver. As executive director of the Macon Arts Alliance, she's central to the cultural world of Central Georgia and said it was Weaver who drew her into that world. But as the mother of a young dance student, she experienced Weaver in a way common to hundreds of parents. "She was a wonderful person who meant so much to so many," Wilkerson said. "Her students loved her, including my daughter, Virginia, who started at Dance Arts Studio when she was 5 or 6 and was in a dozen or so Nutcrackers. Weaver had a gift for knowing where to put each student so they could shine. The five professional dancers who come each year are always stunned by the students, the scenery, and the pure professionalism Jean built into the show that Alice carries on." Wilkerson said as a "dance mom" it wasn't long before she was a volunteer and even appeared onstage, her first foray into anything related to the arts. "My passion was always working with nonprofits, but because of Jean, my interest and experience in the arts grew giving me a new skill set perfect for what I do now. Jean gave me a bigger vision for the arts and what they can do." Theatre Macon's founding artistic director, Jim Crisp, said he knew Weaver as a "kindred spirit." "I think of the nearly 50 years of students whose lives were changed by knowing this amazing woman," he said. "I think of the nearly 40 years of audiences who have been spellbound by the magic of our Nutcracker, and I think of how she not only taught dance but taught all of us to love dance. In her soul and bones and heart, Jean was a teacher — she was a great teacher — and teaching is a sacred calling." Julia Rubens is director of arts marketing and community engagement for The Grand Opera House, the Nutcracker's performance home and management partner. "The Grand's identity and history is tied to the Nutcracker," she said. "We do so many things, but we're largely known for touring Broadway shows and the Nutcracker. There are three generations now participating or coming to see this wonderful production. From backstage crews to dancers to audiences, the Nutcracker brings the community together in a unique way. Around 4,000 people see it every year, so do the math: well over 100,000 people all told. Without what Ms. Jean did, the magic wouldn't still be happening year after year." Macon businessman and painting- restoration expert Tony Long was a friend of Weaver's, recruited from the beginning of Middle Georgia's Nutcracker to head backstage operations. He spoke during her memorial of the demands she made of casts and crews to give their best and to work for perfection so all could shine. He said she made the production a family. "During those early years, Jean's energy and ambition inspired all of us, and we were proud to be on her team," Long said. "Now, Nutcracker has become a Macon tradition with sold-out performances where over 100 young people get to appear on stage. I think somehow Jean's still watching from her back row seat as she always did and that all the casts and crews to come will be making sure the magic of the Nutcracker is felt by audiences." Not to forget her own family, one of her four sons, Billy Weaver, has been telling stories of Weaver that reveal her as not only a fan of ballet and classical music but of baseball and The Beatles, Elton John, and other popular stars. "Driving to school right after they appeared on Ed Sullivan, we would be singing Beatles songs like 'I Want to Hold Your Hand,' 'Love Me Do,' and 'Please, Please Me.' She knew every word," he said. Another key figure Weaver drew into the Nutcracker circle is Marianna Gebara. Also a speaker at Weaver's memorial, Gebara voiced what so many knew. "She was a force," she said. "A lot of times a very overpowering, very loud, very vocal one, but one that was full of energy and passion. She wanted to be the best she could be and pushed everyone that touched her life to be the best they could. She helped us to soar, to do things we never would have dreamed of doing … She was our teacher and our instructor not only in the artistic world but in many aspects of our lives. She gave us a self-esteem and drive to reach heights we thought were unattainable. We all were her family, and she loved each of us unconditionally. There was no one like her, and there never will be. Our wonderful, beautiful memories of her cannot be taken from us." SHE WANTED TO BE THE BEST SHE COULD BE AND PUSHED EVERYONE THAT TOUCHED HER LIFE TO BE THE BEST THEY COULD." — MARIANNA GEBARA "

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