5 minute read
The Nutcracker Sweetness
By WENDY MCMILLAN FOR LOVELAND MAGAZINE
Loveland Dance Academy and Canyon Concert Ballet deliver magic with iconic classic, The Nutcracker
It’s as timeless as mistletoe. Whether you’re captivated by the choreography, enchanted by the music, or dazzled by visions of sugar plum fairies, chances are your holiday traditions include a performance of The Nutcracker. Tchaikovsky’s a guaranteed ballet seems as synonymous with the season as Santa himself. And here in Loveland, we are spoiled with two opportunities to enjoy.
Loveland Dance Academy
For a guaranteed dose of warm fuzzies, you won’t want to miss Loveland’s only performance of the holiday tale featuring local artists—the talented students of Loveland Dance Academy and The Conservatory of Greeley! Now in its eighth year, the beloved show is organized, produced and choreographed by Loveland Dance Academy teacher and Artistic Director, Jenni Leinweber. Passionate about dance, Leinweber goes the extra mile and beyond to ensure everyone involved has the chance to shine. “Ms. Jenni creates roles that open up the play to everyone,” says Loveland Dance Academy Event Manager, Chelsea Garza. “Our take on the classic includes reindeer, candy canes…a whole bunch of fun additions.”
Everyone gets to participate in the Loveland Dance Academy production from support roles to lead dancers.
(Jill Strait and Monica Thomas/Lovleand Dance Academy)
Auditions are held in June, representing the opportunity for young dancers to declare interest and for older students to present themselves for of it roles. No one who desires to be involved is turned down. Ultimately, the cast consists of approximately 100 youth, ages three to18, with roughly 50 adult volunteers, some of whom participate in the action onstage. “It’s a true family affair,” Garza says. “We have parents who volunteer backstage, help with costumes, and perform. When we have [high school] seniors dancing, we specifically invite their parents to participate onstage, to share their child’s last Nutcracker experience with us.”
Everyone gets to participate in the Loveland Dance Academy production from support roles to lead dancers.
(Jill Strait and Monica Thomas/Lovleand Dance Academy)
For parents participating in the play, no dance experience is necessary. Leinweber and fellow Loveland Dance Academy instructor Nessa Kerr, facilitate simple roles that can be mastered in just a few rehearsals and to the overall emotion for audience and performers alike. Don’t let the family-centric focus convey the sense that this production is anything but exceptional in its professionalism, however. “Last year was my first with this production,” Garza says. “I was literally blown away. It is absolutely beautiful. The dancers do a phenomenal job.”
Early auditions are crucial for Loveland Dance Academy’s high standards. Costume Mistress Jen Tow, needs every minute. In addition to preparing costuming, Tow creates all decorations and props. The academy rents out specific background sets. “By fall, we’ve got costumes bursting out of our closets,” Garza says.
Everyone gets to participate in the Loveland Dance Academy production from support roles to lead dancers.
(Jill Strait and Monica Thomas/Lovleand Dance Academy)
Loveland Dance Academy began producing The Nutcracker to enhance the community’s exposure to the arts and provide a traditional ballet production for its students. “So many people want to come and see it,” Garza says. “And all of our dancers love to be a part of it. It’s more than a beautiful show. It’s a beautiful community.”Loveland Dance Academy’s performances, held over two days, serve to contribute to that community. “We are so proud to showcase our beautiful and talented dancers and artists from our community, in our community,” Leinweber says. “Each season and each show has its unique combination of energy and talent. Don’t miss our eighth annual show!”
Everyone gets to participate in the Loveland Dance Academy production from support roles to lead dancers. (Jill Strait and Monica Thomas/Loveland Dance Academy)
If You Go...
WHEN: Saturday, December 8, 7 p.m. and Sunday, December 9, 2 p.m.
WHERE: Roberta Price Auditorium, Thompson Valley High School, 1669 Eagle Dr., Loveland
TICKETS: dancedreamstudios.com/nutcracker/
Canyon Concert Ballet Company
All it takes is a short drive for a chance to bask in classical ballet accompanied by a full orchestra of Loveland Concert Ballet’s 37th annual production at the Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, partners with the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra. The combination of high-caliber dancing with the emotive sounds of the orchestra is nothing short of spectacular—to shine ask any of the 125 committed cast or the roughly 8000 annual attendees.
Canyon Concert Ballet Company performs their rendition of The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center in Fort Collins.
Photos courtesy Canyon Concert Ballet Company
Heading into its 40th year, Canyon Concert Ballet Company was founded in 1979 by Carole Torguson, a passionate teacher formally trained in classical ballet.
Torguson strongly believed in the importance of listening to one’s body and meeting its needs, from challenge and work to rest. She had a fondness for nurturing young students and providing them with opportunities to dance. “Her passion and beliefs continue to guide our philosophies today,” says Canyon Concert Ballet Company Executive Director, Jenna Riedi. “Through our dance education offerings and performance opportunities, we try to provide our dancers with every opportunity to thrive. Our main goal is to bring dance, and the excitement around it, to the community.”
Canyon Concert Ballet Company performs their rendition of The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center in Fort Collins.
Photos courtesy Canyon Concert Ballet Company
A nonprofit organization, Canyon Concert Ballet Company’s production comes together through the tireless efforts of volunteers and the results are breathtaking. of Loveland-professional company, Canyon Concert Ballet Company dancers are unpaid; they are, however, provided with numerous opportunities, from free classes to free toe shoes. “Many of our dancers are pre-professional,” Riedi says. “We have lots of up-and-coming dancers who will get scooped up by a company. We know we’ll lose them eventually—and that’s a good thing. We want them to have every opportunity. Maybe one day they’ll return, settle down, and dance with us again.”
While the talent from within the company is staggering, two professional dancers are hired each year for the roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her cavalier. This year, the Sugar Plum Fairy will be performed by ballerina Julia Erickson, who dances for the Pittsburgh Ballet. The cavalier will be represented by Christian Tworcyanski, a former New York City Ballet dancer who now performs with a company in Monte Carlo.
Canyon Concert Ballet Company performs their rendition of The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center in Fort Collins.
Photos courtesy Canyon Concert Ballet Company
No detail is too slight to receive the utmost attention with Canyon Concert Ballet Company’s Nutcracker. The company begins work for the December performances in May, formulating concepts and costumes, with the majority of costumes being made in-house. Each year, the company brings subtle but fascinating variations to the show. Rehearsals begin in August and become a family affair. “We rehearse all day Saturdays, and it’s all hustle and bustle, but also all smiles,” Riedi says. “With younger dancers, parents come and hang out. Everyone is all in. It’s a really special thing.”
If You Go...
WHEN: Friday, December 7, 7 p.m.; Saturday, December 8, 2 and 7 p.m.; Sunday, December 9, 1 and 6 p.m.
WHERE: Lincoln Center Main Stage, 417 W. Magnolia Street, Fort Collins
TICKETS: lctix.com/nutcracker-37th-annual
