Dedicated hearts and busy feet flutter as ‘The Nutcracker’ rehearsals begin

Published 2:00 pm Saturday, November 4, 2006

Look! A tumbling bear!

And there, faeries in courtly splendor and snowflakes sissoning swiftly by, while elsewhere the Rat King battles the big, red, noble Nutcracker.

Whidbey Island Dance Theatre studios were bustling with activity last Sunday at rehearsals for their 14th annual presentation of “The Nutcracker.”

Choreographers had four studios filled with a slew of company dancers and guest artists beginning the long, hard and rewarding process of creating the scenes that make this ballet so special.

Act II, usually set in the familiar Land of the Sweets, is being transformed here into an enchanted forest where Clara meets the likes of faeries, elves, mermaids and even a dragon.

WIDT’s unique production, choreographed with a wildly imaginative flair by co-artistic directors Charlene Brown and Susan Campbell Sandri – with help from resident choreographers Susan Vanderwood and Jennifer Bondelid – manages to combine fresh innovations with a bow to the traditional beauty of the ballet.

New sections of choreography have also been added this year by the work of guest professionals Leigh-Anne Cohen and Laurentia Barbu. WIDT alumna and emerging choreographer, Amy Berto, also works her magic upon this timeless holiday classic.

The two-act ballet had its premiere at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Dec. 17, 1892. It was based on Alexander Dumas père’s “The Nutcracker of Nuremburg,” which was an adaptation of an earlier story by E.T.A. Hoffmann called “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.”

Many variations of the classic have been produced by ballet companies all over the world, but what are the odds that the little gem of Whidbey Island would end up with one of the most charming productions? By all indications at the rehearsal last weekend talent abounds at WIDT.

The performers, young and mature alike, seem quite capable of sending theater goers into the fantastical place first envisioned by Marius Petipa, the great Russian choreographer who created the first version of the ballet.

Becoming mentors

Michela Mattens, a 16-year-old South Whidbey High School student, has been dancing since she was 3. She joined the company five years ago and has moved up the ranks of Nutcracker characters to the top as a principal dancer. This year Mattens dances the role of the Snow Queen. Last year she danced Clara, with parts as the Firebird, a fairy, a dragonfly, a flower and a snowflake in previous years.

That’s a progression that seems to happen within this company often, and Mattens senses a responsibility as one of the principal dancers who has grown up with the company.

“I like to watch the younger girls grow up and do new parts,” Mattens said. “I feel I am an influence on them.”

“Every year I look forward to the Nutcracker. There’s something special about it; something always new,” she said.

The newness, she explained, comes from the constant influx of guest artists and teachers that the company employs. Mattens said that for such a small company they are lucky to have influences from artists who have worked all over the world and with some of the greatest choreographers.

Sean Tomerlin is one of the guest artists brought in to dance the role of the Prince.

Tomerlin, who is 26, recently settled in Seattle to attend Cornish College of the Arts. He previously danced with the Columbus Dance Theatre in Ohio and with the Fresno Ballet.

Tomerlin has danced several roles in other productions of the Nutcracker before, but never as a guest artist.

“It’s flattering to me to be asked to dance the Prince,” he said. “I’ve always admired guest artists who are brought in. I hope I can be a good influence on the younger dancers.”

Tomerlin had arrived on last Sunday morning only to be introduced to fellow dancers and then immediately thrust into the monumental task of learning the choreography that is particular to this company’s Nutcracker, as every company’s composition is unique.

At any given moment, Tomerlin could be seen lifting any one of the young principals above his head.

All in a day’s work for a dancer.

Jachen Mackner, 15, dances the role of Clara this year. She says the best part about playing Clara is that it’s a strong acting role and “it’s fun to be interacting with just about everyone on stage.”

This is Mackner’s third Nutcracker which is quite a feat, considering she only started dancing three years ago and she is already a principal dancer.

Not for faint of heart

Ballet is an arduous exercise that often takes years of study to master. The young principals at WIDT show a talent and dedication that is reflective of their teachers. Their class and rehearsal schedule is proof of it.

Rehearsals for Nutcracker go for about four hours on Saturday and about six hours on Sundays. The schedule will get even more grueling as the opening performance becomes more imminent and the company moves into technical and dress rehearsals.

In addition, full company dancers are required to take company class (when not in rehearsal for a show), plus a minimum of six 1 ½ hour technique classes per week (two slipper, two pointe, two modern) — though most also take jazz and/or lyrical and hiphop and some take additional ballet.

After meeting co-artistic directors Brown and Sandri and some members of their company — and having watched them work in the studio — it was apparent where these young principals get their fire. WIDT is a place teeming with the sights and sounds of hard work, of sweaty concentration and, most noticeably, of a genuine, never-to-be-doused love of the dance. It’s why many islanders make it their must-see of the holiday season.

Tickets for the Nutcracker go on sale Monday, Nov. 6. Evening and matinee performances run from Dec. 8-17 at South Whidbey High School Theatre, 5675 S. Maxwelton Road, Langley. Call 341-2221 or visit www.whidbeydancetheatre.org for tickets and information.