In a nondescript building in the small town of Lititz, Pennsylvania, Maggie Rogers was meticulously preparing for her significant event. This place holds a special significance as arena acts often come here to rehearse before embarking on national tours, and every aspect matters. "Sunday Morning" had the opportunity to catch up with Rogers just a few weeks before her concerts at Madison Square Garden.

Career-Defining Moments and Homecoming

She achieved a career-defining feat by selling out New York City's Madison Square Garden, and she couldn't believe it herself. "Twice!" she exclaimed with a laugh. "It's hard to fathom in my mind. I just don't understand it fundamentally!"During her rehearsal and subsequent performance in front of a sold-out crowd at Madison Square Garden, Rogers was in her element. She studied music at New York University and considered this as a sort of homecoming. Walking through Washington Square Park near her former dorm room, she pointed out the benches where she used to write her songs. It was at NYU that she got a major break when superstar producer and musician Pharrell Williams visited her class. Rogers played him a song called "Alaska," and his response was profound. "Wow! Wow! I have zero, zero, zero notes for that, and here's why: you're doing your own thing. It's unique."The video clip of Williams' masterclass went viral, but Rogers, who initially studied music engineering, still had to learn the art of writing and performing. She has played in every bar and club on the Lower East Side and every DIY venue in Brooklyn during her time there.

From College Demo to Viral Success

Remember that demo she played for Pharrell Williams as a college student? Well, the music video of the finished version of "Alaska" has been viewed over 23 million times. It's been an incredible journey for Rogers, considering she didn't play music publicly much as she grew up on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Her interest was more personal and quirky. "Basically, as soon as I could ask for music lessons, all I wanted to do was play the harp. My first CD purchase was a double-purchase of the orchestral score to 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' and Britney's 'Baby One More Time.' That might tell you a lot about me!"And her songs reflect a pop sensibility with a great intellect behind it. Rogers enjoys the arena experience but truly hopes to form a deep, long-term connection with her listeners through themes of love, heartbreak, and the wonder of being alive. "I really prefer to work in long form. I'm grateful for listeners who are willing to have an active listening practice and have the patience to spend an hour listening to how I sequence the record. I've always loved art that takes time."

Taking Time for Personal Growth

Something that sets Rogers apart from typical pop stars is that in 2021, she took a break from music to enroll in a graduate program at Harvard University focusing on religion and public life. "I really needed a break. I needed to reorient my life and start something new. I had been living in a world centered around me and my career for five years, and then applying that to music and concerts and these large public gatherings."These large public gatherings have become almost spiritual for both Rogers and her fans. "This couldn't have happened in any other way. When I step on that stage at Madison Square Garden and feel ready, it's a gift I try not to contextualize. As soon as you understand it, it changes. I'm always at the center of it all. And I'll never truly know what it looks like from the outside. But I do know when I've dedicated myself to my art and when I think I'm at my best. And I strive to do both as much as possible."You can stream Maggie Rogers' 2024 album "Don't Forget Me" by clicking on the embed below (Free Spotify registration required to hear the tracks in full):For more info:Story produced by Julie Kracov. Editor: Remington Korper.

First performed in 1944 in the US, "The Nutcracker" became a holiday tradition by 1954. In Oklahoma, audiences can enjoy various productions. The Oklahoma City Ballet will debut a new production this December with unique elements.

Artistic Director's Vision

Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye, the artistic director of the Oklahoma City Ballet, emphasizes that they are crafting a warm and wholesome holiday story along with a visually stunning masterpiece. He joined the ballet in 2020 and was named artistic director in 2022. Before that, he danced professionally in several companies and met the costume designer Holly Hynes in the Kansas City Ballet. 1: Jolicoeur-Nye's passion for creating a remarkable production is evident. He believes that Oklahoma City Ballet deserves the best "The Nutcracker" production that will leave a lasting impression on the audience. His vision extends beyond just a performance and aims to create a magical experience. 2: With his leadership, the ballet is set to introduce new characters, sets, costumes, and a lot more magic. This new production is expected to be a game-changer and bring a fresh perspective to the classic ballet.

Costume Designers and Their Work

Holly Hynes, the lead costume designer, has an impressive background. She was the director of costumes for the New York City Ballet for 21 years and has worked with numerous domestic and international ballet companies. Eric Wintering, another designer, has worked on various projects including "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" and "Wicked". 1: Working with these talented designers is a dream come true for Jolicoeur-Nye. Hynes first met Jolicoeur-Nye ten years ago in the Kansas City Ballet and was excited to work with him again when he became the artistic director in Oklahoma City. She started working with OKC Ballet almost two years ago and designed 195 costumes, a number that surprised even her. 2: The design process involves swatching over 4,000 different fabrics and collaborating with 18 artisans and makers. Inspiration for the designs comes from various sources such as fabrics, music, and more. Hynes' expertise in "The Nutcracker" allows her to create incredible designs that bring the story to life.

Changes in the Production

In this production, set in 1906, Clara's sister and brother join her on the journey instead of just Clara. This is a unique aspect that adds a new dimension to the story. 1: Normally, only Clara enters the dream world, but in this production, more characters are involved. This change brings a different perspective and makes the story more engaging. 2: The designers have also played with the story, adding elements that make it more exciting. For example, the use of different countries' desserts in the designs showcases the cultural diversity.

Designing for Different Lands

In The Land of Sweets, Hynes got to be very creative with her designs. Traditionally, these scenes showcase traditional folk dancing from different countries. But now, the ballet world is more respectful of different cultures and tries to embrace them. 1: Hynes used a lot of color in the first act to create an exciting and rich display of costumes. As the story progresses to The Land of Sweets, she had to find desserts with colors that could translate into fabrics well. 2: Some countries were easier to design for, like Spain with its hot chocolate theme. But for others, it was a challenge to find the right desserts and colors. The result is a visually stunning and culturally rich production.To see Hynes's designs and experience the new "The Nutcracker" production, purchase a ticket on the ballet's website. The show premiered on Dec. 14 and will run until Christmas Eve.