Great Nutcracker Ballet

Young dancers fulfill their potential in a fun & challenging environment

THE MOSCOW GREAT NUTCRACKER BALLET

The world-renown Moscow Ballet comes to Saratoga School of Dance each season to recruit young dancers for its main-stage production of The Great MoscowNutcracker Ballet.

AND, OF COURSE... since The Moscow Ballet uses local ballet students to perform young dancer’s roles,

that means some of our school's young ballet dancers and students from other schools get to perform alongside the professionals. Ages 6 to 18 are invited to audition for a number of roles, depending on their age and skill level.* (It is not a guarenteed assignment; it is an audition) Typically, dozens of young dancer participate. Roles include:

  • Party Children,
  • Small Mice,
  • Snowflakes, and
  • Russian Snow Maidens.

Auditions are led by a professional dancer from the Moscow Ballet and Saratoga School of Dance instructors. In addition, a Moscow Ballet’s dancer teaches the students their roles at our very own Saratoga School of Dance.

* Please take note: this is an audition, there are no guarenteed spots. 

 

About the Great Nutcracker Ballet...

This beloved classic ballet is a holiday tradition that creates memories for a lifetime. It's a fairytale filled with wonder and the grand, sweeping triumph of good.

E.T.A Hoffmann wrote the short story (The Nutcracker and the Mouse King) around 1816; it was a typical Germanic fairy tale (kind of scary). In 1844, Alexandre Dumas re-wrote it as a playful, child-friendly adaptation, which was the basis for the magical Tchaikovsky ballet told in two acts.

The story is set on Christmas Eve as a family gathers around the foot of a Christmas tree. A young girl (Masha/Maria/Clara is her name depending on the interpetation) is given her very own nutcracker prince doll. These wooden dolls were originally a functional tool to crack open holiday treats, but they evolved into decorative soldiers and kings that soothed childhood fears and were believed to ward off evil spirits. Clara is delighted with her doll and in her child's imagination, her Nutcracker Prince helps her discover the magical wonder of toys coming to life, enchanted animals, and an adventure through a magical, snowy forest. This production is lavish and never fails to enchant and draw smiles from all!

Pyotr Tchaikovsky's romantic and emotional score (1892) transforms the stage into a fairy-tale world. His delicate techniques make it easy for the audience to slip into fantasy while the sparkling textures take us on a vivid and entertaining ride. The score is at times glittering & colorful and other times nostalgic, yearning, and deeply emotional. Tempos vary in time with the moods expressed (grand and sweeping, light and delicate, high-energy and staccato). If you want your children exposed to the romance period of classical music, this will do the job if an engaging and enchanting way.

The choreography is by Vasily (Vasili) Vainonen who managed to bridge artistry and historic craftsmanship with a modern festive tradition. The dance evokes strength, joy, and magic. Moscow Ballet’s Great Nutcracker Ballet features over-the-top production values and world-class ballet artists. Larger-than-life puppets, nesting dolls and gloriously hand-crafted costumes get the audience into the Christmas spirit.

"Dance with Us” program

NUTCRACKER’s unique Dance with Us program allows local children to perform side-by-side with the professional company in roles created just for them and at varying skill levels. Audition Directors personally audition and rehearse aspiring student dancers, preparing them to perform with the professional company. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for young dancers.

Below you can see past auditions, costumes, and exciting backstage preparation.

want just a little bit more fun? see below

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