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OKC Ballet Kicks off Holiday Nutcracker, New Role In Community
BY HEDIE BRANDES PHOTOS PROVIDED BY OKC BALLET
As the Oklahoma City Ballet gears up for the re-energized production of “The Nutcracker,” a holiday tradition for Oklahoma City, the organization itself is working through its growing pains with a new foray into community involvement.
“The Nutcracker,” presented by Devon Energy, is set for Dec. 12—22 at the Civic Center Music Hall for a performance designed to create holiday memories for all. Featuring a fanciful new set and costume designs, the new “Nutcracker” debuted in 2014 to rave reviews.
“We have 13 countries represented with our dancers, and our new season will release in February with ‘Scheherazad 1001 Arabian Nights,’” said Amy Haley, director of marketing.
But even as holiday visitors enjoy the classic fairy tale of Clara and her wooden Nutcracker hero, the Oklahoma City Ballet is offering more even as it handles stellar growth in the community.
“Even though last year we broke all the box office records in the history of the company, there are still plenty of people who haven’t seen The Nutcracker since we were able to get new sets and costumes, thanks to Devon Energy,” said Artistic Director Robert Mills.
“It’s like you’ve never seen it before. With the support from Devon Energy, we were allowed to do The Nutcracker in a way I’ve always wanted to.”
Get Dancin’
This fall, the administrative arm of Oklahoma City Ballet moved into the 6,000-square-foot space, The Loft on Film Row. Of that space, 3,000 square feet are dedicated to a new series of classes that the ballet debuted in October.
“Our new adult classes began in October, and we are offering introductory ballet classes, modern dance and hip hop for adults,” said Haley. “This is a way for us to become more involved in the community and it serves a purpose. We also now have a presence downtown, so now all the downtown people can go take dance classes with other adults who are new to dance as well.”
The new dance classes are designed specifically for adults looking to exercise, have fun and try out something unique. The classes are taught by professional OKC Ballet performers or teachers, and the classes are geared to newcomers.
“These classes are perfect for those who just want to learn something new and get into shape,” Haley said. “There are people in their 20s, 30s and 40s who want to dance, and it’s so good for the physique and body.
“Ballet has gained in popularity and has lost its stigma of being frail dancers. Ballet dancers are being seen as athletes, which they should.”
Adult dance classes will be held Mondays through Thursdays at The Loft, and the space will be available for special events on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Haley said.
“It makes sense for us to be in arts district of Film Row,” Haley said. “One, we fill a need here, and we belong here.”
The Downtown Dance classes kicked off with four-week series of “Intro To” workshops taught by professional dancers and staff, including Intro To Ballet with Alvin Tovstogray; Intro To Contemporary Dance with Walker Martin; Intro To Ballet with Joe Seaton & DaYoung Jung; and Intro To Hip-Hop with Amanda Beard.
Growing Pains
While the new space fills a need for additional classes, OKC Ballet continues to adjust to tremendous growth. The company is now bigger than it has ever been with 37 dancers and five shows, a jump from the four shows the company traditionally offers every season.
The school, which is geared for youth dancers, is also growing and the enrollment is bigger than ever.
“In our old space, we were simply running out of room,” Haley said. “As demand grows, we needed space at our offices for the dancers, for a new dressing room. So the administrative staff moved to the Loft to make room.”
In two to five years, OKC Ballet will embark on building a new home that will fulfill all its needs in one space, but for now, The Loft is the best answer.
“This also puts us closer to The Civic Center, which is where our performances are held,” Haley said.
This classic fairy tale tells the story of Clara, who receives a beautiful, handmade wooden Nutcracker from the quirky Heir Drosselmeyer at a Christmas Eve party. That night, Clara sneaks downstairs to play with her new Nutcracker and is swept away to a fantasyland of toy soldiers, giant mice and dancing snowflakes.
After saving her beloved Nutcracker from the evil Mouse King, she is whisked away to the enchanted Kingdom of Sweets and Toys, where she is treated to performances by fanciful, dancing confections and toys including the Sugar Plum Fairy.
“We have 10 performances this year, and the story is one that people can easily follow,” said Artistic Director Robert Mills. “You don’t have to know anything about ballet to enjoy The Nutrcracker. It also opens up the imagination of children, and it goes hand in hand with a time of year that is about creating traditions.”
All performances take place at the Civic Center Music Hall, 201 North Walker, Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma City Ballet Box Office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located at 7421 North Classen, Oklahoma City.
“It’s a perfect time to get the family out of the house, see a live performance with live music from the Oklahoma City Philharmonic,” Mills said. “How often do children have a chance to experience that? And it is an experience!”
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