The CU Ballet performs The Nutcracker. CU Ballet in Champaign, IL. Photo by Teresa Anderson
From December 6 to December 8, the Krannert Center for Performing Arts will be hosting The Nutcracker, directed by Deanna Doty.
This year’s production of The Nutcracker follows Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s traditional score closely while still taking some creative liberty.
“We’ve added a part,” said Tobey Martinez, the ballet mistress. “The footman is a brand-new part this year, it’s got a little comedy in the opening act of the party scene.”
There are also some new choreography and costuming changes to make this year’s production unique while still keeping to the traditional story line.
This is Martinez’s first year as ballet mistress, but she has a long history of being a teacher. “I have my degree in ballet from University of Utah and performed in The Nutcracker as a small child, and I’ve always wanted to be involved in something bigger and this is just a perfect fit for me,” said Martinez.
Terri King, who is the show’s producer, has had many years of experiences working with CU Ballet.
“I’ve had many different roles working,” King said. “First, I’m a parent of a dancer, and so I’ve been a volunteer, and this is my eighth year working with CU Ballet. I’ve also been president of the board, and now I am the producer.”
This year, auditions began the weekend after Labor Day for adults and children. Difficulties, such as set design and costume design, have not slowed down production, thanks to the help of the many volunteers who have put in time and effort into making the ballet operate as seamlessly as possible.
“The parent volunteers are overwhelming,” King said. “I can’t even tell you the number of volunteers that get involved or count the number of hours they put in.”
Volunteers take on responsibilities that range from costume and set design to taking care of and transporting props to and from Krannert for rehearsals, helping with the children, helping with makeup and even providing snacks for the performers. They are one of the key elements in ensuring that the production runs as smoothly as possible.
This year’s cast has performers of a range of ages, some as young as 5 years old.
“We have students who have gone off to college and have returned, and we have adults who have never danced,” King said.
“One of the more difficult jobs for me was casting,” Martinez said. She added that this year was the biggest turnout in the number of adults and children who wanted to audition, and “it was really difficult to look into their beautiful smiling little faces and say, ‘Not this year.’”
Despite some of the more difficult aspects of production, both King and Martinez said they are excited to learn new things with the help and effort that everyone has put in.