Main Street Conservatory of Dance’s “The Nutcracker” Ballet Performance Goes Virtual

Tickets on Sale Now for Holiday Show

2020 marks Main Street Conservatory of Dance’s 18th year producing “The Nutcracker” ballet for the Marshfield community, but this is the first year the program will have a “virtual” audience. (For ticket information, CLICK HERE.)

“This year’s performance is ‘virtual’ and being filmed here in our studio,” explained Heather Conrad, studio owner/director. “We have made a few adjustments to allow for the change in stage size and also adjusted some choreography to allow for more ‘dis-dancing,’ as we like to call it.”

Video of the performance will be made available to those who purchase an event ticket, through a virtual performance premier on Wednesday, December 16. Ticket sales are vital every year to supporting the studio.

This year’s production includes approximately 75 performers, including students from the Classical Ballet Program and Jazz Company, and featuring the dancers of the Marshfield Youth Ballet Company as well as a few members of the studio community.

Starring roles this year include Olivia Warren as Sugar Plum Fairy, Jordyn Helgerson as Spanish Hot Chocolate Seniorita, and Sofia O’Brien as Divinity.

Other MYCB Dancers include:

• Sarah Dickinson as Dew Drop
• Shyla Elliott as Arabian Coffee Princess
• Connie Langfoss as Snow Queen
• Kelly McEwen as Russian Matryoshka
• Malorie Schooley as Dream Clara
• Katie Seehafer as Lotus Blossom
• Autumn Sternweis as Little Bo Peep
• Lily Streckert as the Mouse Doll

There is also a production crew of five instructors/choreographers, a stage designer, scenery artist, a small costume crew, lighting and sound techs, a video crew, and parent volunteers who work behind the scenes.

Conrad acts as producer of The Nutcracker, with Ballet Program Instructor Amanda Kuhn acting as Nutcracker Artistic Director, and Betty Ebben, also a Ballet Program instructor, acting as Ballet Mistress (advisor). Other MSCD staff on the rehearsal team include: Joelle Clark, Trish Mallek and Cassi Peterson.

Students in the Classical Ballet Program audition for roles in The Nutcracker in early September and rehearsals begin the following week.

“We rehearse every Sunday from September until performance weekend in December. This is in addition to the 2-5 days a week that these students take classes here at the studio,” said Conrad.

The studio made the decision to host their popular performance differently this year for a couple of reasons.

“Many people are feeling a sense of loss and sadness this year and even more so as we arrive at the holiday season,” said Conrad. “Our students have handled the changes that they have endured at school, at home, at dance, all with such grace. We wanted them to have this performance to focus on, to bring them a sense of life before COVID. It’s not the same experience as being in the theater, but we hope that they will cherish these memories even more so because of the struggle and challenges we’ve had to overcome to get here.”

The performers also wanted to spread joy to the community in this challenging year.

“Our community members may be struggling too, looking for ways to bring hope and life to the holiday season,” said Conrad. “Performing arts are the perfect escape from the worry and stress of the times and our wish is that this performance will leave the audience feeling happy, hopeful, and inspired.”

Though this year’s performance might be a little bit different, Conrad and the performers are thankful to be able to keep “The Nutcracker” tradition alive in Marshfield.

“We are grateful for the support of our dance families and our community through these trying times,” said Conrad. “Thank you for supporting local businesses like ours and please don’t forget to support local artists and performers!”

For ticket information, visit THIS LINK.

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