See Sacramento Ballet’s young ‘Nutcracker’ dancers rehearse in costumes for the first time
It was the weekend after Halloween, but there was a costume party at the Sacramento Ballet’s midtown studio.
About 200 youth cast members in “The Nutcracker” and their families arrived for photo day. For some of the kids, it was the first time they saw their costumes and were able to dance in them with rehearsal director Colby Damon, a Sacramento Ballet alumni who got his start in the Nutcracker when he was eight years old.
Damon danced with the company 20 years ago and has returned to choreograph the show with Julia Feldman and Nicole Haskins.
“It’s such a big part of my life as an artist and as a dancer and it’s really amazing to be able to share everything I’ve learned as a child with the new generation,” said Damon, who says the show is a right of passage for dancers of all ages. “Most dancers in the United States got started because they saw ‘The Nutcracker’ and they wanted to be a part of it, or they were part of it when they were children.”
This year’s production, fittingly sponsored by California Walnuts, will have festive lobby experiences including walnut-counting contests, photo opportunities with 12-foot-tall nutcrackers and a pop-up souvenir shop called “Clara’s Attic.”
“The Nutcracker” will be presented at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center with a live orchestra from the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera. Opening night is Dec. 9, and the final show is on Dec. 23.
“We’re trying to add fun magical flares everywhere,” said Damon. “It’s really a part of the holiday tradition for the Sacramento community and communities around the world, and it’s really cool to be just a part of that.”
