Keeping up with The Nutcracker’s creative director Kathleen Holmes when she’s at rehearsal is like riding alongside a whirlwind.
“It’s a whole new generation of dancers,” she tells Coast Reporter from her director’s chair while watching young dancers who are rehearsing the party scene. Then she’s up in an instant and calling out, her voice rising above the familiar music: “Shoulders back, elbows lifted and smile!” Cast A dances beautifully while cast B watches, ready for their turn.
The Nutcracker, or Nuts 2016 as it is affectionately called, has become a Christmas tradition on the Coast in its fifth year.
“It’s fun, it’s hard work,” Holmes says, “and the energy just comes. When we have all the students together and the more experienced kids show the younger ones – the energy level goes even higher. Nothing is impossible.”
One little girl tells me shyly that it’s her first year. You would think she would be nervous, but when her turn comes, she appears poised. They have all passed audition – they take it seriously. Having two casts over the six performances allows more kids the opportunity to learn other parts. It’s something that is important to Holmes – that there is always a more challenging dance role to work towards and that the students have good reason to attend ballet classes, the foundation of dance technique.
“It’s rewarding to see five years ago when some of the dancers were mice and angels,” she says, “and now they are snowflakes and flowers – mature, beautiful dancers en pointe.”
The dancers have been rehearsing since mid-September. Roxy Drewitz from Calgary returns for her third year of performing Clara, the girl who falls asleep under a Christmas tree clutching her nutcracker doll, the start of a magical journey. Jade Reid, a talented young dancer from Vancouver who participated in Holmes’ summer ballet program this year, dances the second Clara from the alternating cast.
Jaime Butler, a senior at Chatelech Secondary, has blossomed into her role of Dew Drop Fairy this year. Bronte Hansen, another talented youngster, is reprising her role as the Arabian dancer in the Land of Sweets.
Guest artists, some new, some familiar, will also perform. Miguel Nguyen is bringing his dance partner, Julieta Saravia, with him from Argentina. Sakura Inoue will be dancing the part of the Snow Queen, and Diego Ramalho plays the Snow King once more. Graham McMonagle reprises his dramatic role as Drosselmeyer, the toymaker. Eric Burrough will be the Nutcracker Prince and the Russian. Keiko Okuna, also a young talented dancer studying in Vancouver, will be dancing in Mirlitons this year with two young ballerinas: Natalie Martina and Sophie Malcolmson, along with Jasmyn Evered (last year’s Clara), Roxy Drewitz and Jade Reid. Costume designer Conchita Harding is at work again in remaking Mother Ginger’s outfit – more than a mere costume, it’s part of the spectacular stage set.
Funding for the lavish and professional production is always difficult, but this year, The Nutcracker benefited by the sale of 11,000 Smile cookies made by the local Tim Hortons, a business that contributed to the Coasting Along Theatre Society.
The Nutcracker opens on Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. at the Raven’s Cry Theatre, Sechelt, and it continues with two performances on Dec. 18 and 19 and one on Dec. 20. Tickets are on sale now for reserved seats. You can buy them over the phone at 604-989-6050 or at South Coast Ford box office during business hours. See www.CoastingAlongTheatre.org for more.
