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produced & coded by CHRISTINA CAMPODONICO

How does an artistic director choreograph a new dance story for a classic ballet, such as The Nutcracker?  Why is it still relevant to perform this classical ballet, year after year? What is it like to perform in a Nutcracker production, as member of a professional dance company? And why is it important to have a local ballet company produce this work in Southern California?

These are some of the questions Ampersand’s Christina Campodonico asked Los Angeles Ballet’s Artistic Directors, Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary, and members of their company, as they prepared for their ninth annual production of The Nutcracker.

The ballet is based on the children’s book by writer E.T.A. Hoffman.  The heroine of the story, Clara, receives a magical Nutcracker doll from her Uncle Drosselmeyer at her parents’ Christmas Eve party.  Later that night, Clara dreams that the Nutcracker comes to life, rescues her from an evil mouse king, and takes her to a faraway, enchanted kingdom.

Riffing on this familiar tale, Ampersand captures the sights, sounds and voices of Los Angeles Ballet’s Nutcracker production in an interactive and experimental sound & web laboratory.

We invite you to experience & explore the story here on Ampersand (below)

or

through an immersive digital platform at www.nutcrackerlab.com

 [“The Nutcracker Lab” immersion requires up-to-date versions of Safari or Chrome web browsers to play. Please allow the webpage to fully load for a few minutes before engaging.]

THE NUTCRACKER LAB: SIGHTS, SOUNDS & VOICES OF THE NUTCRACKER IN THE SOUTHLAND

A DanceMapLA Story with LOS ANGELES BALLET

produced & coded by CHRISTINA CAMPODONICO

Click on the images below to explore & experience.

Chelsea Paige Johnston practices a pose during Nutcracker rehearsal.

What is it like to perform in the The Nutcracker? As a soloist in Los Angeles Ballet, Chelsea Paige Johnston plays many parts in this production. She dances as a snowflake, a flower, a maid and, her favorite, a Spaniard in the Spanish Dance. She shares her experience of dancing in the ballet.

Allyssa Bross & her dance partner Erik Thordal-Christensen take a break between dance rehearsals.

How do you tell a good story? Co-Artistic Director Thordal Christensen shares how he brings The Nutcracker’s classic story to life.

Principal dancer Allynne Noelle at center in the Waltz of the Flowers with the LAB corps de ballet.

How do you create beautiful imagery on stage? Co-Artistic Director Colleen Neary shares how Los Angeles Ballet choreographs beautiful patterns for the Waltz of the Flowers.


Principal dancer Allyssa Bross jumps high during Nutcracker rehearsal.

What is it about The Nutcracker that keeps us enchanted? Colleen Neary reflects on The Nutcracker’s classic story and its ongoing tradition.

Los Angeles Ballet rehearses excerpts from The Nutcracker.

Soloist Bianca Bulle (front) & LAB company members rehearse the Waltz of the Flowers.

Why is it important for classical ballets to be produced by a local and professional dance company in Southern California? Colleen Neary shares how LA is incorporated into Los Angeles Ballet.

LAB dancers swirl around the studio during Nutcracker rehearsal.

How can music shape the course of a dance? Ballet Mistress Katherine Cowgill talks about her interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s score for the Snow Dance.


Allyssa Bross & Erik Thordal-Christensen practice a pas de deux.

What is it like to partner with a ballerina? Company member Christopher McDaniel shares his experience dancing as Harlequin doll with the lovely Columbine dolls.


Dancers David Block, Christopher Revels & Robert Mulvey defy gravity in the exuberant Russian Dance.

[photos by CHRISTINA CAMPODONICO // Feature image: Los Angeles Ballet Dancer Britta Lazenga in the Waltz of the Flowers // Featured music from The Nutcracker Ballet Op.71 composed by Pyotr Illyich Tchaikovsky // Public Domain via MusOpen]

& Extra

Los Angeles Ballet’s The Nutcracker tours throughout Southern California and will perform at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, December 27 and 28. For more information about shows visit www.losangeles.ballet.org.

“Sights, Sounds, & Voices of The Nutcracker in the Southland” is the first in a series of DanceMapLA Stories, which aim to raise the visibility of the dance community in Los Angeles by telling the stories of dancers, choreographers & companies throughout the county.