Christmas in July: Creating Our New Nutcracker
Updated: Jul 26
The thermometer may be flirting with 100-degree days this summer, but the forecast in BTM's studios is calling for snow! As our advanced summer intensive dancers stepped into the studio for five weeks of pre-professional training, they also took on an unusual challenge: working with Artistic Director Nicole Kelsch as she reimagines the Snow scene for our brand-new production of The Nutcracker.
Putting together any ballet is a big task, but a production that we will perform year after year for thousands of audience members requires a very special timeline. Every hour of rehearsal that our summer intensive dancers put in now is time that can be spent on other sections of the show. Come December, that rehearsal will make a big impact.
Read on to learn about Nicole's process, what BTM apprentice Amber Sanders has gotten from the experience, and a sneak peek into the new production.
Bringing the ballet to life -- in summer!
Nicole has been working on the concept for this production for a long time. When I asked how it feels to finally bring it to life, she laughed and said, "It's good. I feel like I'm impatient to get it out. It's all in there, so I'm happy to have dancers to play around with and see, 'Does this idea really work, or am I crazy?'"
The Snow scene is meant to evoke the physics of snow--the first few flurries drifting to the earth, more and more falling as the flakes get heavier, snow beginning to stick and accumulating into a thick white blanket, and (if the choreographer is so inclined) eventually taking on the furious nature of a blizzard.
These images were vivid in Nicole's mind as she plotted out her choreography. She told the dancers to "picture that you're taking the snow and throwing it" as they follow through with one of their movements. There's something joyful in her direction that they should imagine "going through a snow pile and tossing the snow around."
In a ballet that's all about the magic of the winter season, we want the audience to see that the dancers are enjoying themselves, too. Our summer students are setting the tone for what the rest of the company will experience when we catch up in the fall.
Contributing to the process, for the dancers
Although it's unusual to rehearse Nutcracker in the summer, working on company repertory is very common. A summer intensive is an important entry point for dancers joining a new company, as it's an opportunity to take class with teachers you'll have throughout the year, make positive first impressions, and tackle new choreography.
BTM dancer Amber Sanders followed this same path when she joined the company as a trainee last season, and this year she takes it on after being promoted to the rank of apprentice.
Of returning to the summer intensive, she said, "[Being an apprentice] gives you a different perspective on the intensive. Instead of looking at each day as, 'Okay, these are the classes I take all the time,' I know that I won't get these supplemental classes during the company season. I'm grateful for the opportunity to get all of this extra training right now."
Some dancers might cringe at the idea of hearing Nutcracker music in July, but Amber isn't one of them. Winter is her favorite season, and her eyes lit up when I asked about rehearsing the Snow scene in summer.
"It's been super refreshing! I am not a huge fan of the summer heat, especially when you're working so hard physically, but rehearsing something that reminds me of Christmastime and winter has been a really positive experience. I'm so happy to celebrate a little Christmas in July."
Beyond working on the new Nutcracker, getting to work with the artistic director is also a special opportunity for incoming trainees and apprentices. Amber commented, "It's very interesting to see [Nicole's] process and to get to be her 'clay' for this new production. Just seeing how she works with us when something isn't how she initially thought. She'll have to scrap the whole thing, but then the final product that comes out of it is even better. It's been super interesting and I'm very grateful for it."
The day that I visited rehearsal, there was a fun energy in the room between Nicole and the dancers as they tackled the new choreography. Watching this production begin to unfold felt like a special treat!
Developing a new take on the classic story
While Dianna Cuatto's beloved production of The Nutcracker has its own special charm, Nicole's new production will center the ballet in BTM's home city, Annapolis.
The story will have familiar moments such as Fritz creating mayhem at the family holiday party and Drosselmeier gifting Clara with a Nutcracker doll, but the story will be recontextualized for the 19th-century Annapolitan setting.
Notably, that will include visiting the Annapolis harbor for a naval battle between the Nutcracker Prince and the Rat King. Evoking the Fort McHenry conflict immortalized by "The Star-Spangled Banner", this battle between good and evil will include cannons, special effects, and two opposing crews locked in combat.
The second act will also feature some notable changes. Instead of dancers from different nations gathering to welcome Clara to the Kingdom of the Sweets, each dance will represent the confections Clara might have purchased on 19th-century Main Street.
When I asked Nicole what she was most looking forward to seeing come together, it was hard for her to choose. "I mean... all of it!" In addition to being excited to stage the Grand Pas de Deux, she's also looking forward to the big changes coming to the student roles.
"I'm excited to work with the students because it'll be something totally different for them, and I think it'll be exciting for them to see a young Clara."
This marks a big change from the version BTM has been performing. Where Clara has most recently been played by a professional dancer who transforms into the Sugar Plum Fairy, a few lucky Conservatory students will now share the role.
Nicole says, "Having a young Clara will be exciting for the ladies dancing the role, but also for the other students to see and aspire to."
As a Conservatory teacher myself, I can confirm just how much our students are anticipating this! I shared with Nicole that most of the questions I'm asked about the new Nutcracker are about Clara: "How old is she going to be?" "Is she in pointe shoes?" Their excitement reflects how we all feel about being part of this new production.
The advanced level has two more weeks of work before they debut this new version of the Snow scene, and they will be sharing their final demonstration performance with our intermediate level of younger dancers. I'll check back in soon with an update on how both levels have been progressing and what else they've been working on!
In the meantime, do you have your season subscription for our 2025/2026 season? Single tickets go on sale on Monday, August 11, but season subscriptions are still available.
