Ballet Idaho news & updates December 2022 | Holiday Issue

Artist featured in header photo is Company Dancer Kylie Corrigan. Photo by Quinn Wharton.

Ballet Idaho's The Nutcracker Opens on December 9th!

It's the most wonderful time of the year. Why? It is Nutcracker Season! Ballet Idaho's The Nutcracker runs from December 9-18th and delights with a stunningly vivid confectionary version of the story so many know and love. Ballet Idaho's new and highly anticipated The Nutcracker opened to rave reviews in 2019, was closed during the pandemic, and then brought back to life last year. Former Artistic Director Peter Anastos approached the Ballet Idaho Board of Directors in 2017 with the heavy realization that the decade-old production was in dire need of a refresh. The costumes were deteriorating and the set disintegrating. The Board acted quickly, endeavoring to produce a million-dollar capital campaign to fund the new production and have it ready within two years. Anastos hired costume designer Margaret Mitchell, a 30-year industry juggernaut, whose designs typically fell more on the moody spectrum of period plays. Yet, when approached for this project, she "ran enthusiastically toward the enchanting and magical world of ballet." Delving into what a 7-year-old version of herself would want to see in The Nutcracker, Mitchell came up with a luminous and magical concept that included old-world textiles and fabrics, layers of color and dramatic silhouettes that reflected the Romantic Period, topped off with a light dusting of Idaho history and culture. After putting pen to paper for 200+ costumes, they needed to come to life. After weeks of perusing New York's garment district and procuring fabric and trim from all over the world, the costumes were then made in four different cities by over 40 costume makers. The result was astounding. The entrancing costumes are so saturated with color, texture, and magic that it's difficult to know whether to hold your breath or burst into applause. Ballet Idaho is so grateful to Margaret Mitchell for her timeless and truly magnificent costume designs. For a visual of how costumes can, quite literally, leap off the paper, keep scrolling.

Costume rendering and design by Margaret Mitchell

Drosselmeyer, danced by Company Member John Frazer, presents the Nutcracker doll, Company Member Cyrus Bridwell, at the party. Set Design by Christopher McCollum. Costumes by Margaret Mitchell. Photo by Mike Reid.

Costume rendering and design by Margaret Mitchell

Lead Artist Elizabeth Barreto dances the Sugarplum Fairy. Set Design by Christopher McCollum. Costumes by Margaret Mitchell. Photo by Mike Reid.

Costume rendering and design by Margaret Mitchell

Set Design by Christopher McCollum. Costumes by Margaret Mitchell.  Photo by Mike Reid.

*A very special thank you to all of the donors who make Ballet Idaho's The Nutcracker possible and who continue to invest in the future of Ballet Idaho.

Academy News and Updates  The Nutcracker's young Academy cast rehearse and try on their costumes... Ballet Idaho Academy students, from mini mice, to Bakers, to Clara, are all in full swing rehearsing with the Company. One of the most exciting times for a young dancer in The Nutcracker is being fitted for a costume. Some of the littlest dancers have never even seen the costume department, which is located in the expansive basement of the Ballet Idaho Building. As you step off the elevator, tutus, tulle, trimmings, sequins, and mouse heads are everywhere. Despite being in a basement- the space is magical. The air crackles with energy. Sewing machines hum and whirr, costumes are steamed and altered. The dancer schedules an appointment with the costume department, tries on the costume, and then Costume Director Keri Fitch makes notes for any necessary adjustments, as well as gives instructions on the costume. "Hold those tails backstage, mice!" Above: A Ballet 1 student is fitted for her mini mouse costume with Costume Director Keri Fitch. Costume design by Margaret Mitchell. Ballet Idaho Trainees are excited to rehearse and perform in The Nutcracker alongside the company. Below, trainee Sarah Hurty is fitted for her French Marzipan Corps costume by Costume Director Keri Fitch and Costume Shop Assistant Teresa Sorenson. Costume design by Margaret Mitchell. Spotlight on Clara! An inside look on what it is like to dance the famous Nutcracker role As a young dancer, there aren’t many roles more coveted than Clara. Whereas most ballet lead roles are danced by a professional dancer, this role is unique in that it is primarily cast with an early teen. Claras are given the chance to have early star power, which can be a thrilling and nerve-wracking time in a young dancer’s career. I sat down with Ballet Idaho Academy dancers, Ina Jane Quandt, who danced Clara last year, and Madeline Burpee, who is new to the part, both of whom share the iconic role in this year’s production. We gather before class, and the girls, obviously friends, with their hair slicked back in matching buns, and warm-up clothes covering their BIA uniforms, produce an infectious energy as they talk about all things Clara.    CM: How long have you been dancing with Ballet Idaho Academy? IJQ: This is my fifth year with Ballet Idaho, I started off in Montana and then San Diego Ballet. MB: I started at BIA when I was three, with creative movement and then just kept going, so 11 years. CM: What was your first role in BI’s The Nutcracker? IJQ- I started as a Baker. MB- Mini mice! CM: Has dancing Clara been a longtime dream? IJQ: Oh, yeah. Ever since I started dancing and first saw the Nutcracker, it was “oh, my gosh, I want to be her.” MB: I’ve always wanted to be Clara and it’s been a ton of fun, especially with Ina Jane who has been helping me out a lot, telling me all the secrets of backstage, how the quick changes work, just tons of things that will help me when the production starts.   CM: Ina Jane, how is this year different from your first year as Clara? IJQ: Before, when I danced Clara, I spent a lot of my time focusing on the choreography and getting all the steps right and this time, I’m able to spend a lot more time working on character and making her seem much more natural.   CM: What if anything makes you nervous? IJQ: For me, the one thing is just not wanting to mess up at all. MB: For me, its how many people are watching you and how many families whose Christmas tradition is the Nutcracker- they come to see it every year. I feel like there is a lot of pressure in all the roles, of course, but especially Clara.   CM: On that note, what would you say to the younger dancers or mini mice who dream of dancing Clara? MB: This sounds cheesy, but it is possible, you just have to work hard, and if you’re dedicated, you’ll get there. IJQ: Whenever you doubt yourself, shut it down. I used to doubt myself a lot and had to learn to say to myself, no, you’re not going to think about that. Everything will go on no matter what happens. You’re more capable than you think.    I ask the girls what their ultimate Nutcracker dream role is and they both look at each other and giggle but then say firmly, “Dewdrop”.  Ballet Idaho's The Nutcracker: A Look Back in Time Ballet Idaho's The Nutcracker has seen many changes over its 50 year history. However, there is no change to how much Boiseans look forward to the annual tradition of seeing the classic production onstage with live accompaniment by the Boise Philharmonic. So, while set and costumes may change every decade or so, the tradition will continue into the next 50 years!  Scroll down for a look at The Nutcracker in years past. Former principal dancer Stephanie Parker in Ballet Idaho's The Nutcracker. Above, The Nutcracker prince from 1997 production. Set design for Ballet Idaho's 1997 The Nutcracker by Don Carson. Ballet Idaho's 2013 production of The Nutcracker. Former Ballet Idaho Principal dancer Phyllis Rothwell Affrunti as the Sugarplum Fairy in 2013's The Nutcracker. Ballet Idaho Online Store Ballet Idaho's online store is here for all your holiday shopping needs! Get your ballet-obsessed family member the perfect, cozy Ballet Idaho sweatshirt... or get a super-fan friend the 50th Anniversary fanny pack. Don't wait in line at The Nutcracker, beat the crowds and order here! Above, Ina Jane Quandt, left, and Madeline Burpee, right, rehearse Clara.

Costumes, Costumes, Costumes! An interview with Ballet Idaho Costume Director, Keri Fitch, during her busiest time of the year CM: Keri, hello! This is your 5th Season with Ballet Idaho and your 4th full Nutcracker with Ballet Idaho. Can you tell us about your first Nutcracker ever? KF: I previously designed a Nutcracker for a small local company in California for 2 years after graduating college. But I grew up watching the Nutcracker on tv, and in person, if there happened to be ballet company where we were living. The music and the costumes were magical and I was just enthralled with how the dancers made everything look so effortless.   CM: What is the biggest challenge for you in November and December of each Ballet Idaho Season?  KF: Making the costumes fit multiple dancers in the performance casting. Some dancers repeat characters, others are completely new to parts. And then the Academy performers change every year.   CM: You’ve designed many shows for many companies. What is the biggest difference between costumes for dancers and costumes for actors? KF: Costumes for dance need to allow the dancer freedom of movement and support the Choreographer's artistic vision. While costumes for actors start with the script and the Director's concept.  CM: What is a hidden or unknown fact about your position as Costume Director? KF: How much of the job is paperwork. Budgeting, purchasing, creating dressing lists, hair and makeup calls, and wardrobe tracking sheets so that every outfit and its accessories are documented and accounted for. That way the correct costume is with the appropriate dancer for each performance.   CM: What is the first thing you do after The Nutcracker is over and everything is cleaned and put away? KF: Try very hard not to think about it over the holidays.

Single Tickets for The Nutcracker Single tickets for The Nutcracker are on sale! Don't miss your chance to experience this magical holiday tradition with your loved ones!

SUBSCRIBER PERKS Season Subscribers have the added benefit of personalized customer service! If you would like to add additional tickets for The Nutcracker to your subscription you can contact our Patron Services Manager, Paige Thomas at [email protected]. You can count on not paying Ticketmaster fees and fee-free exchanges on existing tickets!

Please Consider Making a Gift to Ballet Idaho this Season! Whether you have been a part of the Ballet Idaho family for decades or this is your first season, we are profoundly thankful to have you with us on our journey as we celebrate hitting the half-century mark. If you have been considering a year-end gift or a special contribution to honor our golden anniversary, we hope you will consider making that gift today. And we look forward to what tomorrow will bring as we step together into Ballet Idaho’s next half-century. Cheers to 50 years! Laura Curry Executive Director Please visit this link to invest in the future of Ballet Idaho!

Do you have any memories or memorabilia from the early days of our company? We would love to hear the stories! Please share with us by emailing Cassie Mrozinski at [email protected].