Immerse Yourselves in the Magic of IBC’s “The Nutcracker”

Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Renzulli Photography and IBC Indiana Ballet Conservatory’s “The Nutcracker” is staged by founding Artistic Director Alyona Yakovleva and based on the 1934 choreography of Vasily Vainonen. Children and adults of all ages will be transformed by this heartwarming tale of a young girl and her beloved Nutcracker as she battles off evil and learns the value and resiliency of the human spirit. Come experience this timeless and beloved holiday favorite, “The Nutcracker,” as it debuted nearly 100 years ago.

The Indiana Ballet Conservatory, founded in 2010 by Yakovleva, is a pre-professional ballet school committed to providing the best classical ballet training to its students and launching the next generation of dancers onto the world stage. IBC students continually place in top positions in national and international competitions and pursue professional careers in dance around the world.

HONORING A HOLIDAY TRADITION

Acknowledging the hardships that so many have been afflicted with, particularly throughout the last two years, Yakovleva spoke about how the arts and productions such as “The Nutcracker” can bring our lives to a pause and allow us to reconnect with beauty, love and the traditions that many of us hold dear.

“There’s so much going on, and people are, at the same time, afraid and worried,” Yakovleva observed. “[The holidays] are a good and happy time, and when they come to see ‘The Nutcracker,’ they can escape from all the troubles and worries for a while.”

Yakovleva said IBC staff and students are excited to perform “The Nutcracker” at the Palladium in Carmel and are not anticipating any COVID-19-related restrictions this season. The Palladium lends another layer of elegance and sophistication to an already breathtaking and authentic production of “The Nutcracker.”

“’The Nutcracker’ is a miracle to me,” Yakovleva said. “Honestly, we are always excited to perform ‘The Nutcracker,’ especially at the Palladium. This year will be the first time [since the onset of the pandemic] that it will feel like a ‘normal’ environment. It’s an excitement and an exchange of energy that we may be feeling even more than before [the pandemic]. We really missed that feeling between the performers and the audience being together without masks and restrictions. We are looking forward to it!”

Patrons of IBC and ticketholders will not only experience a longstanding tradition of exceptional ballet but will have the added experience of the epitome of holiday ambiance in front of the Palladium — Carmel’s Christkindlmarkt. And once guests enter the Palladium and walk into the extravagant hall, they will feel a charge of positive energy! This is not just a “show.” It is holiday magic!

IBC SETS THE STANDARD OF EXCEPTIONALISM

Exhibiting an authentic interpretation of Vainonen’s choreography, the performers who will be dancing the coveted role of the “Sugar Plum Fairy” this year are IBC dancers Aurora Ausserer (17) and Shannon McNiven (16). Yakovleva shared that Ausserer’s family is originally from Seattle, Washington, and her entire family uprooted and moved to Carmel so that Ausserer could train with IBC. She is finishing her senior year through The Laurel Springs School, and she has danced in the “The Nutcracker” for many years and the Sugar Plum Fairy has always been a “dream role” for her. Ausserer is excited to perform in “The Nutcracker” this year the role of Sugar Plum Fairy again.

McNiven has been dancing with IBC for three years. She was invited to the Youth America Grand Prix Finals this year after placing second in Contemporary and Top 12 in the Classical category at this year’s Kansas City Regional. She has loved being in the Advanced Day Program this year and continues to look forward to the next opportunities and experiences she will have with IBC.

IBC is thrilled to collaborate with and feature once again Sebastian Vinet — international guest artist and permanent principal guest dancer with Utah Metropolitan Ballet.

Born in Santiago de Chile, Vinet began ballet training at Escuela de Ballet del Teatro Muncipal de Santiago. After two years under full scholarship, he moved to Houston, Texas, to finish his training at Ben Stevenson Houston Ballet Academy.

In 2009, he joined the Houston Ballet and in 2010 the San Francisco Ballet. Vinet also was a recipient of the Premio Jóvenes Líderes del diario El Mercurio (2009) — an award to Chilean artists presented by the ambassador of Chile in the United States. Most recently, Vinet was honored to be a 2020 Prix de Lausanne competition jurist in Switzerland, being the youngest person in the history of the prestigious competition to be invited to join the panel of judges.

IBC is collaborating again with the Indianapolis Children’s Choir and its artistic director Joshua Pedde. For those that missed previous productions of IBC’s “The Nutcracker” that featured children from ICC — you are in for an unforgettable experience!

Has your little one dreamed about dancing with the Sugar Plum Fairy? Mark your calendar for IBC’s special Nutcracker event taking place Sunday, November 13, 2022, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Indiana Ballet Conservatory located at 849 West Carmel Drive in Carmel, Indiana. Enjoy refreshments and learn ballet with the Sugar Plum Fairy as she dances to the music from the Tchaikovsky Nutcracker Suite!

Additionally, IBC will be performing on the opening day of the Carmel Christkindlmarkt, November 19, from 4:10 to 4:35 p.m. IBC will be performing on two additional days and times on December 4 and 18 from 11 to 11:45 a.m.

To purchase tickets to “The Nutcracker” or to make a financial contribution in support of IBC’s programming and productions, visit indianaballetconservatory. org. Your generous support of IBC will help ensure its world-class productions, such as “The Nutcracker,” will continue to delight audiences for decades to come.

IBC Performances at Carmel Christkindlmarkt November 19 (Opening Day of Christkindlmarkt): 4:10–4:35 p.m. ET December 4: 11–11:45 a.m. ET December 18: 11–11:45 a.m. ET

Indiana Ballet Conservatory: The Nutcracker The Palladium // Nov 26 and 27 EVENT DETAILS Sat Nov 26 at 2 p.m. ET Sat Nov 26 at 7 p.m. ET Sun Nov 27 at 1 p.m. ET Sun Nov 27 at 6 p.m. ET