There are some things that are unmistakably synonymous with the holidays. While poinsettias, gingerbread houses, candy canes, the smell of pine, and twinkle lights evoke all the good, warm and fuzzy holiday feels, it may be within the familiar, treasured stories passed down from one generation to the next, where the true spirit of the season lies.
Such is the case with “The Nutcracker,” the world-renowned, internationally beloved classical ballet by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, adapted from the short story written by Alexandre Dumas, which tells the story of a young girl named Clara who receives a nutcracker doll as a Christmas gift that comes to life and takes her on a magical (albeit imaginary) journey to the Kingdom of the Sweets.
Next week, the Hampton Ballet Theatre School will present its 15th annual production of “The Nutcracker” at Guild Hall. Opening night is on Friday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m. with three other performances set to occur throughout the weekend (on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 1 and 7 p.m. and on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 2 p.m.). This year’s rendition, led by HBTS’s founder and director Sara Jo Strickland, is the company’s first performance back at the East Hampton-based cultural center’s theater since it closed for extensive renovations over two years ago. Last year marked the school’s first full return to the stage since the pandemic hit in early 2020, as performances were held at Southampton High School and Southampton College while Guild Hall was closed.
(Photo credit: Kyle Froman)
Founded in January of 2007, HBTS first performed “The Nutcracker” in 2009. This year’s performance workshop has about 80 participating students, with ages ranging from as young as 4 years old well into teenage years. Rehearsals have been held for the performance since September. In addition to the abundant local students, Strickland also hires male dancers as guest artists from New York City to partner with the predominantly female-based student body. “There are also about 25 adults that join in for this performance as well,” she says, noting several parents of children in the production step in to play the adult guests in the party scene of the ballet.
“It’s a real community effort.”
The performance also features costumes hand-sewn and designed by Strickland, Yuka Silvera and Kate McManus. Lighting design is by Sebastian Paczynski. According to a press release, pro students Major Bovio, Leila Genender, Summer Lillie, Olivia Quinn, Shoshana Sobey, Avery McCleland and Lauren Rosario will all dance featured roles with special guest artists James Monroe Stevko at the Cavalier, Nick Peregrino as the Snow King and Arabian Prince, Amar Smalls as Harlequin and Dew Drop Prince and Malike Berry as Arabian Prince and Dew Drop Prince.
Although “The Nutcracker” is by far the school’s largest performance each year, Strickland and her troupe also do an annual spring ballet as well as a rendition of “Peter and the Wolf” in the summer, which, she says is a much smaller production containing far less students, but also includes a live orchestra. “It’s a great educational ballet, especially for young children,” she says.
With a crew of about eight teachers that rotate through the school, Strickland acts as the main instructor utilizing her expertise in both ballet and gymnastics. Originally hailing from Maryland, she studied and performed ballet in New York City but has been an East End resident for about 35 years.
Her Hampton Ballet Theatre School is a training ground for classical dance. “That’s our focus,” she says. “We start them in pre-ballet, then move all the way up to pro level.” HBTS also teaches tap dancing as well as acting.
(Photo credit: Kyle Froman)
“By the time they graduate they’ve become really beautiful dancers. Ballet provides such a great foundation for any dance. If you have classically ballet, you can easily do all the other contemporary dances because you have that foundation and strength.”
Some of her students go on to college with dance programs, because they’re very good students, she says. “Ballet is special because it keeps you strong for life. It’s one of the best conditioning things I’ve ever done. And it’s always a challenge. You never perfect it.”
Performances of “The Nutcracker” will be at Guild Hall (158 Main St., East Hampton) on Friday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, at 1 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 15, at 2 p.m. Ticket prices start at $35. To snag yours call 888-933-4287 or click here.
