E4

Lori Gallagher

Stumble Upon

del.icio.us

Digg

Facebook

Print

Email

Speak Up

While I am far from the most cultured person you'll ever meet, I do enjoy the ballet.

The emotions and sense of magic evoked by the dancers, music and sets is a wonderful thing to be part of.

But when I say "part of" I am referring to my spot in the audience. I would never for even a moment consider being part of the on-stage action.

Unless, of course, they need someone to stand around and try not to hurt themselves.

When I was chatting with some of the local kids who are part of Ballet Jörgen's presentation of the Group of Seven Nutcracker, the word used over and over again to describe the ballet was graceful. And graceful is something I have never claimed to be.

Thankfully, these kids are that and a lot more. I witnessed part of a recent rehearsal and the talent in that room was impressive.

Add that to what Ballet Jörgen has planned and the Group of Seven Nutcracker will be well worth seeing.

"It's a brand new ballet that Ballet Jörgen is putting together. It's never been done," says Amani Wassef, education and outreach director with The Playhouse.

Ballet Jörgen has partnered with the McMichael Foundation and will use Group of Seven artwork as part of the backdrop for the show.

"It's different in a way because it's Canadian landscapes to the Nutcracker. It's still, of course, to the traditional music of Tchaikovsky, but they've got new roles in the show, they've got frogs and squirrels and chipmunks and a bear cub," she says.

"It's really nice for the kids to have the chance to dance in a show that's so traditional with a Canadian component being choreographed by a professional Canadian ballet company. It's good for the kids and it's nice for the audience too."

Ballet Jörgen came to Fredericton in September, held an audition at The Playhouse, chose the local cast and started working with them that same weekend.

The kids have been working with Tamami Bearden since then, rehearsing their parts at Artemis Dance in the Charlotte Street Arts Centre, learning choreography that has been developed by Ballet Jörgen.

"They certainly know their choreography, but the thing I've noticed more than anything is that they've become more animated in their roles," says Wassef.

At first they were quite tentative, then they were told to watch the movements of squirrels and the other woodland creatures they are playing. They've incorporated what they've seen into their dancing.

"They're starting to play the part. I think they're evolving with the dance itself," she says.

She notes that one of the things that's really special about this experience is that it is an opportunity for some of the local dance schools to come together.

It's also a nice chance for the kids to help one another in rehearsals, she says. Here they are learning together, as well as from one another, and they're working with a different teacher, dancing in a different studio.

"So they're getting all kinds of wonderful opportunities."

Wassef admits she can't wait to see the final result of all of this hard work.

There are two performances of the Group of Seven Nutcracker taking place at The Playhouse on Nov. 23. One is at 3 p.m., the second is at 7 p.m. For tickets, visit www.theplayhouse.ca or call the box office.

Lori Gallagher is a staff writer at The Daily Gleaner. She can be reached at gallagher.lori@dailygleaner.com.