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Sparkling costumes and fresh scenic design will grace this year’s performance of ‘The Nutcracker’
Featuring more roles than ever and a live performance of Tchaikovsky’s classic score, the performance promises holiday enjoyment for audiences of all ages.
From December 12-15, Interlochen Arts Academy will share the timeless holiday tradition of The Nutcracker with audiences of all ages. This vibrant ballet celebrates the wonder of the holiday season through the story of Clara, her enchanted Nutcracker, and their magical, dream-like journey to the Land of Sweets. Audiences can expect stunning scenic design, glittering costumes, special effects, and more. Original choreography is by Director of Dance Joseph Morrissey, and the Arts Academy Orchestra will provide a live performance of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s beloved score.
With 114 roles in each performance, this year’s Nutcracker is set to surpass past cast numbers and provide ample opportunities for Arts Academy dancers to showcase their skills. Anticipation for the show has been building since students began rehearsing in October.
“The moment our pianist plays ‘Waltz of the Flowers’, for instance, you can feel the excitement and the energy among the dancers,” says Morrissey. “Every year, it's important to us to raise our audience’s expectations by offering new aspects while keeping the essence of Tchaikovsky’s score alive.”
When The Nutcracker first premiered in St. Petersburg in 1892, it was not an immediate success: critics called it “childish” because of its subject matter and incorporation of young dancers. The ballet didn’t garner universal acclaim until the mid-1950s, when George Balanchine staged it for the New York City Ballet and it was broadcast on television screens across the U.S. Now, The Nutcracker is one of the most popular ballets in the U.S.
“The storyline is one thing, but the magic lies in the music, and then on top of that we add the choreography and spectacle with the sets and the costumes all coming together to make for a memorable performance,” says Morrissey. “People come to The Nutcracker for its focus on dreams, which come to life through the fantastic score that Tchaikovsky has provided for us.”
Interlochen Arts Academy is the nation’s premier boarding arts high school, where students pursue pre-professional training in music, dance, theatre, visual arts, creative writing, interdisciplinary arts, and film alongside a robust academic curriculum, preparing them to excel in the arts and beyond.
Interlochen Arts Academy will present The Nutcracker from December 12-15, 2024. The show runs just under an hour and a half. View performance times and get tickets here.
