Red Deer College’s annual production of The Nutcracker is being videotaped for this holiday season.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant challenges to public performances. To safeguard the audience and young performers from viral spread, there will be no live performances this year.
Instead, the festive ballet spectacle is being recorded for viewing online, starting Dec. 14.
By using picturesque outdoor locations around Red Deer, students and instructors from the RDC’s Film, Theatre and Live Entertainment program have filmed scenes of The Nutcracker for purchase, or rental viewing.
The Nutcracker Extended Edition will also be available between Dec. 20 and Jan. 8. This deluxe version will contain exclusive rehearsal footage, along with interviews from Tania Strader, the choreographer and director, dancers and film crew.
Viewers will get behind-the-scenes insight from the dancers, which will be unavailable on the rental and standard purchase options.
Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, inspired by the story by E. T. A.Hoffman, is continuing to be be Christmas entertainment for the entire family more than 100 years after its premiere.
“RDC is extremely proud to once again help showcase the talented dancing of central Alberta youth in The Nutcracker,” says Dr. Peter Nunoda, RDC president. “The ballet is bound to entertain and enhance connections in the surrounding communities with this collaborative effort between college students, instructors, dancers and community members.”
While the local production will look different for 2020, the skill and enthusiastic performances of the 37 dancers, between the ages of five and 18, can now live on for future online viewing.
For more information, including how to order, please visit: rdc.ab.ca/nutcracker.
Send your news tips
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter