Experience a holiday classic with the Indianapolis Ballet and their performance of “The Nutcracker.”

Our correspondent Annessa Chumbley gives us a “behind the scenes” look! 

About: 

Indianapolis Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” will have four performances at Old national Centre’s Murat Theatre from December 14-16: Friday at 7:30pm; Saturday at 2pm and 7:30pm; Sunday 3pm

– Tickets start at just $20 for adults, with children & seniors getting a $5 discount at every level (prices are $20/$30/$50/$60/$80)

– Links & full details at indyballet.org/nutcracker or call the Old National Centre box office at 317.231.0000

This will be the organization’s 12th production of The Nutcracker, but this year’s is the first under the banner of the new Indianapolis Ballet professional resident company. The previous 11 years our Nutcracker has been a production of the Indianapolis School of Ballet (ISB).

The biggest difference is, well, more professionals dancing in the premier roles! Having 20 professionals under our roof every day with the launch of the company this year has allowed artistic director, Victoria Lyras, to make various changes to the choreography.  Even if you have seen the Indy Ballet edition of the Nutcracker before, you are truly in for something bigger and better than ever when it comes to the on-stage product.

The production will features dozens of talented students – mostly from ISB, but also a handful from outside of our school who auditioned over the summer with nearly 100 performers!

For the third straight year, the Indy Ballet Nutcracker production will feature a live orchestra.  The 45-piece Indianapolis Ballet Orchestra, is headed by acclaimed conductor Vince Lee. The move to the Old National Centre in 2016 (from the Scottish Rite Auditorium) allowed them to add the live music component that brings so much to the production.

Some Trivia: The opening act scenery may look familiar, as the exterior and interior backdrops for the Act 1 Party Scene are replicas of the Morris-Butler House located downtown (thanks to a partnership with Indiana Landmarks)

All 150+ costumes used in the production have been designed and created over the course of the last decade by Ms. Lyras and her mother, Loukia Finale – including the Mother Ginger costume, which fits 8 polichinelle dancers underneath its skirt. 

To learn more, visit www.indyballet.org. 

SEGMENT IS SPONSORED BY INDIANAPOLIS SCHOOL OF BALLET