The Redding Ballet Company: The Nutcracker

The Redding Ballet Company is celebrating 20 years of “The Nutcracker” performing three shows and their school show at the Cascade Theater.

From its humble beginnings in 1816 as fairy tale retold by E.T.A. Hoffman in a somewhat dark novella, then lightened and adapted by Alexandre Dumas in 1844, to its brilliant choreographed Russian ballet debut 50 years later, “The Nutcracker” is firmly rooted in tradition. It is a tale steeped in Old World trappings and New World customs, and as a ballet, it unfailingly delivers magic every December around the world, most especially in North America. Although free of theology, it is religious in that everyone in the story is celebrating Christmas and for many families attending a Nutcracker performance is a part of their holiday celebration.

You can continue a family tradition or create one by making sure to experience “The Nutcracker” this season.

For families, the Redding Ballet Company is offering a Saturday matinee, December 8, followed directly by the Children’s Sugar Plum Tea. Diana Christensen, the artistic director, says, “Two in the afternoon is usually a better time for children, and, this is a children’s story. The tea is free, of course. All who attend the matinee are invited to come to the tea, held in the upstairs lobby, which is decked out beautifully. The woman in charge does a beautiful job of decorating. The lobby becomes The Land of the Sweets. Characters all go upstairs, children can meet them, get autographs, and take pictures. We serve cookies and lemonade. Please come dressed up. Make it a special event to be remembered!”

Diana continues, “We want to showcase our dancers. We have a school where our dancers train from two and a half years of age to pre-professional. Many go on to dance with larger companies in bigger cities, and we usually bring those dancers back for ‘The Nutcracker’ This year the Snow Queen will be danced by Ashley Ramsour, school alumni and current ballet mistress. Clara is being danced by Makenzie Agdeppa, a current student.

“We have a strong program, turning out strong dancers. ‘The Nutcracker’ allows us to show the community what Redding is capable of as far as the arts are concerned.” As for the production itself, she says, “The Cascade Theater is a gorgeous venue for the ballet. Every year there is a new choreography, the costuming is lovely. And,” she promises, “it always snows on stage.”

“It’s important that our children be exposed to the arts,” Diana says firmly. “Art is a way to not only express our identity, to develop our identity, but a way to understand cultural identities. The wonderful thing about ‘The Nutcracker’ is that it exposes children to multiple art mediums; music, dance, visual art, storytelling, even miming. Children don’t often get the opportunity to hear classical music, but Tchaikovsky, the Nutcracker score, is a piece of classical music they can recognize. ‘The Nutcracker’ also represents magic, pretending, and imagining. If you’re going to try ballet and you’ve never been before, The Nutcracker is a great place to start your ballet journey.”

At the time of this writing, the Camp Fire is still burning. North State Parent does not know what this means for Paradise’s Northern California Ballet Company and the Paradise Symphony. When NSP spoke with Trudi Angel, the artistic director of The Northern California Ballet, the company was delighted to be teaming up with the Paradise Symphony for the symphony’s 60th anniversary on the ridge. Trudi said, “It is amazing how many calls I get from professional dancers in this country and out of the country who want to come work with us. This year our Nutcracker Prince, Joshua Webb, is coming from London. The Sugar Plum/Snow Cavalier is from New York, Roberto Lara. Clara will be danced by our upper-level student, Lydia Root, who hopes to dance professionally one day.”

Trudi is passionate about the company, her students, and The Nutcracker itself. She also believes that families are responsible for introducing their children to the theater so that they can grow into cultured adult attendees. “I would like to encourage all parents to make sure their children are exposed to the arts because it will enrich their lives.”

Tips for Taking Children to the Theater

• Buy a doll or “softie,” or book related to the play/musical. It can provide a focus if there is a lull in attention. Give it after intermission, for context.
• Seats are not for feet!
• Get them out of the “house” during intermission. Bathrooms and snacks are available. Fresh air outside can be an energy boost.
• Talk to them. Ask what they like, what they love, what they don’t like. If they ask a question during the performance, respond thoughtfully rather than shushing them. Although outdoor voices are not a good idea, whispers are fine.
• Model proper etiquette by silencing your phone and paying attention to the production.
• Remember that theater productions are not sporting events and audience appreciation is a measured and thoughtful response. Patrons don’t walk out mid-dance.
• If your child has special needs, ask about seating arrangements or accommodations when you book your tickets.
• Dress up! It’s a special occasion.