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BCA's Nutcracker 2012!

December 12, 13, & 14 2012 at Diana Wortham Theatre, Asheville, NC

Join us December 12 at 6:30 and December 13 & 14 at 5:00 & 7:30 for BCA's holiday classic The Nutcracker. Featuring Blair Chamberlain, Sarah London, Chris Lynn and talented dancers from our Pre-Professional division, this holiday classic includes over 100 performers, lavish sets and costumes, and timeless favorites like Waltz of the Flowers. Tickets range from $10 to $25 and go fast -- call Diana Wortham Theatre at (828) 257-4530 or visit dwtheatre.com to reserve your tickets today.

December 6, 2012 at Bardo Arts Center, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC

BCA will tour its Nutcracker 2012 to Western Carolina University's Bardo Arts Center (BAC) on Thursday, December 6 at 7:30pm. The BAC is a world-famous architectural gem and the perfect place for BCA to take its sparkling Nutcracker. Tickets are $10 and are available by visiting the Bardo Arts Center website or by calling 828-227-2479.

Download the Nutcracker 2012 program.

The Nutcracker: The Greatest Holiday Classic

About The Nutcracker

Music by Pytor Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Original Choreography by Marius Petipa & Lev Ivanov

Restaged by Wayne Burritt & Angie Lynn

First Presented December 18, 1892 at the Imperial Maryinsky Theatre, St. Petersburg, Russia

Act I

The curtain opens to reveal the Stahlbaums' house, where a Christmas Eve party is under way. Clara, her little brother Fritz, and their mother and father are celebrating with friends and family, when Clara's mysterious godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer enters. He quickly produces a large bag of gifts for all the children. All are very happy, except for Clara, who has yet to be presented a gift. Herr Drosselmeyer gathers everyone around and tells the story of the Nutcracker and the Mouse King. The children are fascinated. Herr Drosselmeyer then produces life-size dolls, which each take a turn to dance. When the dances are done, Clara approaches Herr Drosselmeyer asking for her gift. It would seem that he is out of presents, and Clara, while still quite happy, gently hints to Drosselmeyer that she would like a toy. Drosselmeyer then produces a Nutcracker, in the traditional shape of a soldier in full parade uniform. Clara is overjoyed, but her brother Fritz is jealous, and breaks the Nutcracker. The party ends, the guests leave, and the Stahlbaum family goes to bed. After everyone is asleep, Clara creeps downstairs to have a look at her beloved Nutcracker. When the clock strikes midnight, she hears the sound of mice. She wakes up and tries to run away, but the mice stop her. A conflict ensues and Clara helps the Nutcracker win the battle with the Mouse King. The mice retreat, taking their dead leader with them. The Nutcracker is then transformed into a prince. Clara and the Prince travel to a world where dancing Snowflakes greet them, welcoming Clara and the Prince into their world. The curtain falls on Act I.

Act II

Clara and the Prince arrive at the Kingdom of Sweets, ruled by the Sugar Plum Fairy. The Fairy and the people of the Kingdom of Sweets perform several dances for Clara and the Prince: a Spanish Dance, an Arabian Dance, a Chinese Dance, a Russian Dance, a Marzipan Dance, Mother Ginger's Dance, the Waltz of the Flowers, and the Grand Pas de Deux. After the Grand Pas de Deux, everyone dances a joyous Final Waltz. The ballet ends with Clara waking up with the Nutcracker toy in her arms, safe and sound in her house.

Nutcracker 2012 Rehearsal & Show Schedule

These rehearsals are in addition to any standing rehearsals.
Date	Begin	End	Location/Notes
Sun 10/7/12	2:00 PM	5:00 PM	Act I Party
Sun 10/21/12	2:00 PM	5:00 PM	Act I Party
Sun 11/4/12	1:30 PM	2:30 PM	Act I Parents
	2:30 PM	3:00 PM	Act I Opening Apron Scene
	3:00 PM	5:00 PM	Act I Party
Sun 11/18/12	12:00 PM	2:00 PM	All Angels (Cast 1 & 2) and Jewel Angels
	2:00 PM	5:00 PM	Run Thru FULL CAST
Sun 12/2/12	12:00 PM	2:00 PM	All Angels (Cast 1 & 2) and Jewel Angels
	2:00 PM	4:00 PM	Act I & Act 2 FULL Cast Run Thru
	4:00 PM	6:00 PM	Act I & Act 2 WCU Cast Run Thru
Wed 12/5/12	4:45PM	4:45PM	Pre-Pro Call Time
	5:00PM	8:00PM	Rehearsal @ WCU Bardo PAC (WCU Cast)
Thu 12/6/12	12:45PM	12:45PM	Pre-Pro Call Time @ WCU Bardo PAC (WCU Cast)
	1:00PM	2:00PM	Pre-Pro Class in PAC Reh Room (WCU Cast)
	2:30 PM	4:00PM	Dress Rehearsal @ WCU Bardo PAC (WCU Cast)
	7:30 PM	9:15 PM	Performance @ WCU Bardo PAC (WCU Cast)
Sun 12/9/12	2:00 PM	6:00 PM	Run Thru FULL CAST
Unless otherwise noted, all the following rehearsals and events are at DWT.
Mon 12/10/12	3:30 PM	4:30 PM	Angels (Cast 1) and Jewel Angels
	4:15 PM	4:15 PM	Cast Call
	4:30 PM	9:00 PM	Spacing Rehearsal FULL CAST
	8:00 PM	8:00 PM	Release everyone except PPIs & PPAs
Tue 12/11/12	3:30 PM	4:30 PM	Angels (Cast 2) and Jewel Angels
	4:15 PM	4:15 PM	Pre-Pro Call Time
	4:30 PM	5:30 PM	Pre-Pro Class Onstage
	4:30 PM	7:00 PM	Angels Call Time (Cast 1)
	5:15 PM	5:15 PM	Remaining Cast Call
	5:30 PM	9:00 PM	Dress Rehearsal (Cast 1)
	8:00 PM	8:00 PM	Release everyone except PPIs & PPAs
Wed 12/12/12	10:45AM	10:45AM	Pre-Pro Call Time
	11:00AM	12:00PM	Pre-Pro Class Onstage
	12:30PM	1:30PM	School Show (School Show Cast 1)
	6:30PM	8:15PM	Performance (Cast 2)
Thu 12/13/12	3:15 PM	3:15 PM	Pre-Pro Call Time
	3:30 PM	4:30 PM	Pre-Pro Class Onstage
	4:00 PM	4:00 PM	Remaining Cast Call
	5:00 PM	6:45 PM	Performance (Cast 1)
	7:30 PM	9:15 PM	Performance (Cast 2)
Fri 12/14/12	3:15 PM	3:15 PM	Pre-Pro Call Time
	3:30 PM	4:30 PM	Pre-Pro Class Onstage
	4:00 PM	4:00 PM	Remaining Cast Call
	5:00 PM	6:45 PM	Performance (Cast 2)
	7:30 PM	9:15 PM	Performance (Cast 1)
Sat 12/15/12	11:30 AM	1:30 PM	Cast Party at BCA

 

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ballet Conservatory of Asheville
6 East Chestnut Stree
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 255.5777
BalletConservatoryofAsheville.com

CONTACT: Christopher Lynn (828) 776.9135

DATES: Thursday, December 6 and Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, December 12-14.

BALLET CONSERVATORY’S NUTCRACKER
Ballet Conservatory’s 'Nutcracker' has quickly become a favorite holiday family tradition. This year's production grows even more magical, featuring newly commissioned scenic drops, a luminous growing tree and an expanded performance schedule.

“Reviving ‘Nutcracker’ annually motivates us to create new artistic elements and enhance choreography,” says Angie Lynn, co-choreographer and Ballet Conservatory director. Artists Jimmy O'Neal and Lyle Baskin will collaborate to bring an expanded look to the production, influenced by local mountain terrain and architecture, Victorian to Biltmore.

In past years, every performance has sold out, so an extra performance has been added Wednesday night 6:30pm at Diana Wortham Theatre. Expanding also includes touring to Western Carolina University's sizable Bardo Arts Center.

“We've planned to upsize our scenery,” offers Christopher Lynn, production coordinator and portrayer of the mysterious Drosselmeyer. “Previously, we've used beautifully-painted, but smaller drops from HART in Waynesville, NC, by scenic painter Lyle Baskin. He will now create a Victorian parlor for our opening party scene in a huge warehouse studio.”

It's no small task painting scenic drops 23 feet tall by 45 feet wide. At home with large-scale works, artist Jimmy O'Neal is nationally known for his creative ingenuity and expansive installations, including Hanesbrands Theatre's expansive lobby in Winston-Salem.

'The Nutcracker' is passionately performed by talented professionals among the Conservatory's well-trained corps de ballet.

“Our performing fulfills the training process, applying technique learned in daily class, teaching dancers to be expressive in each step and gesture,” says Wayne Burritt, co-choreographer and ballet master. Performance also helps measures progress. Forty of their four-hundred plus students have earned spots in the Pre-Professional division, training in 5-8 classes per week. “As our students develop, we continue to challenge them with varied roles and new choreography,” adds Burritt.

“We’ve grown quickly emphasizing excellent ballet training complemented by modern, jazz, and tap,” says Lynn. The curriculum is based on the Russian Vaganova technique, interspersed with the faculty’s own training, like London’s Royal Academy of Dance. Training also includes a summer intensive lasting four to six weeks, five to seven hours a day. “When you put in the time with expert instructors, you clearly improve,” adds Lynn.

The “Nutcracker” cast is anchored by Ballet Conservatory’s professional company dancers. Blair Chamberlain, recently with Greensboro Ballet, returns as Sugar Plum Fairy. Sarah London, as Dew Drop Fairy and the alluring Arabian, recently danced the title role in “La Fille mal gardee.” Favorite, Miles Sollars-White dances the Cavalier, returning from his training with Miami City Ballet School. Pre-professional Emma Cory debuts as Clara.

Driving by Ballet Conservatory’s Five Points Studios you may view elegant dancers doing what they love, rehearsing the “Nutcracker.” During December, you’ll also see a brilliantly lit holiday forest, reflecting endlessly into studio mirrors. “The holiday feeling fills our rehearsals,” adds Lynn. And well-trained dancer’s spirited performances fill the theatre. No wonder every performance of the Ballet Conservatory’s “Nutcracker” has sold out.

TICKETS/INFORMATION: Thursday, December 6 (at Western Carolina University, Bardo Arts Center). Wednesday, December 12 at 6:30pm. Thursday, December 13 and Friday, December 14 at 5:00pm and 7:30pm at Diana Wortham Theatre - box office (828) 257-4530 or dwtheatre.com. Tickets only $10 to $25. Further details and Ballet Conservatory information at (828) 255-5777 or BalletConservatoryofAsheville.com.