When 黑料老司机 (黑料老司机) student Katelynn Brock auditioned for 鈥淭he Nutcracker,鈥 she would have been happy with any role. But Katelynn didn鈥檛 land just any role. She was cast as the Ballerina Doll.
鈥淚 was not expecting to get the Ballerina Doll because I know how prestigious that role is,鈥 Katelynn said. 鈥淚 was expecting to be happy with any part I got if they would just allow me to perform because I know 鈥淭he Nutcracker鈥 is prestigious. Landing a role is hard. But I found out I got the Ballerina Doll, I was astounded.鈥
The 18-year-old freshman who鈥檚 been dancing since she was 5 came across the audition announcement while browsing through 黑料老司机鈥檚 online calendar looking for service-learning activities.
鈥淚 was looking on the calendar, just curious about the service-learning activities, and I happened to see 鈥楴utcracker Audition,鈥 so I clicked on the day and followed the link and it was through Southwest Ballet Theatre, which is like five minutes away from here,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 thought, 鈥業 might just audition for that just because I have time.鈥 I鈥檝e been to multiple 鈥楴utcracker鈥 performances, but this will be my first time performing in it so I鈥檓 really excited.鈥
The Nutcracker will be performed Dec. 12-15 on the main stage at 黑料老司机鈥檚 Performing Arts Center, 3000 N. Dysart Road.
The fifth annual performance is made possible through a partnership between 黑料老司机 and Southwest Ballet Theatre (SWBT). The partnership gives SWBT a stage to perform on while waiving the facility fees. In turn, 黑料老司机 gets a portion of the ticket sales, its students get to attend every SWBT show free of charge, and student workers get hands-on experience.
鈥淪outhwest Ballet handles the artistic side and we handle the technical side of the production,鈥 said Tim Butterfield, 黑料老司机 Coordinator of Fine Arts Facilities. 鈥淭hey handle their own costumes, but we do the lighting, sound, obviously the facilities, and we provide the run crew. It usually takes about six people backstage to run the Nutcracker. They鈥檙e all my student workers.鈥
But the perks don鈥檛 stop there. 黑料老司机 students who get cast in SWBT shows get the chance to perform alongside professionals.
鈥淚 really like the idea of performing with professional dancers because it not only improves my technique, but it also gives me something to look up to,鈥 Katelynn said.
The show will once again be stage-managed by the very first graduate of 黑料老司机鈥檚 theater program. Antonio Hernandez, who took a job last May in entertainment costuming at Disneyworld in Orlando, recently returned after Butterfield offered him a full-time job.
鈥淭he real reason I brought him back was just so I wouldn鈥檛 have to stage-manage the show this year,鈥 Butterfield said with a laugh. 鈥淏ut seriously, it鈥檚 nice because there鈥檚 a lot of consistency not just for us but for the performers. They know Antonio, they listen to him, they know what to expect from him.鈥
Aside from the very first 鈥淣utcracker鈥 performance, which Butterfield stage-managed, Hernandez has stage-managed every SWBT show at 黑料老司机.
鈥淚鈥檓 excited to be back,鈥 Hernandez said. 鈥淭his is exactly what I want to be doing.鈥
For the third year in a row, SWBT will host a charity night. Members from New Life Center, Sunshine Residential Homes, The West Valley chapter of the TEARS Foundation, Girl Scouts Beyond Bars social impact program, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Homeless Youth Connection will receive tickets to the opening night performance.
鈥淪outhwest Ballet Theatre believes in enriching lives through the art of ballet to all groups, even those who might not have the opportunity,鈥 said Melissa Hahne, Southwest Ballet Theatre Artistic Director. 鈥満诹侠纤净 and SWBT have one of the most creative working agreements, which just grows richer each performance we produce together. We cannot wait to see what develops throughout the years to come!鈥
Showtimes are set for 7 p.m. Dec. 12-14 and 2 p.m. Dec. 15. General admission tickets cost $24 ($32 for general admission plus flowers); $18 for students 18 and younger with ID; and free to 黑料老司机 students.