of absolutely everything.” Their vision aims to honor the skill of the dancers and the spirit of the live performance, while making the most of the film format in a way that a live stream could not. The dancers will also wear masks throughout the filming, both helping them stay safe and reflecting Taken During 2020 Rehearsals By Kylie Casino
F R O M S TA G E T O F E AT U R E
COLUMBUS LOCALES STAR IN 2020’S MASKED NUTCRACKER While no two performances of live theatre are ever exactly the same, this year’s annual showing of the Nutcracker will be a particularly unique and meaningful experience – especially for Columbus residents. “We desperately wanted to do a show,” says choreographer Kylie Casino, despite the
the dancers as they perform to Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s famous 1892 score. With large audiences inadvisable, the easy answer was to simply live stream the usual indoors performance; however, Kylie, along with fellow instructors Bridget Adams and Laura Johnson, wasn’t satisfied with the idea of holding a virtual
the necessity of trying something new. Kylie says her trust in the Holbrooks is well-founded: “I’ve seen some of their work and it is very well done.” She speaks with excitement about the opportunity to combine professional film production with her choreography, saying that “the way they’re planning on filming it will look dream-like. They’re able to do effects and we are able to transition magically into the next scene, so in a sense, it will make it even more magical.” Usually, Argo Navis would employ a 60-person crew. Amid the
From 2018 By Dd Photography
limitations of the pandemic on live performances. As Artistic Director at the Columbus Ballet, she feels strongly that the annual Nutcracker “is just needed at this time… [to] help spread that holiday cheer.” This year, viewers can watch for free on local station WXTX Fox 54 to see some of our city’s most beautiful and iconic locations star alongside
Behind The Scenes Action, Provided By Jef Holbrook
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showing of the normal stage performance, so they began scouting locations around the city while teaming up with producers Jef and Sara Lynn Holbrook of Argo Navis Studios to craft a professional audiovisual experience. “What we’re producing at the end of this is basically a feature-length show,” Jef says, “an hour-and-a-half to almost two-hour thing, so that’s feature film territory.” This year’s show will combine the talent and skill of the Columbus Ballet crew and Argo Navis Studios amid a backdrop of many of Columbus, Georgia’s most beloved public spaces, including The Columbus Convention and Trade Center, The Naval Museum, The Columbus Botanical Garden, The Columbus Public Library and the Columbus Museum. “It’s not your typical stage space obviously, and it’s going to be a very different experience for the [dancers],” Kylie says. To create something truly special, the partnership with the Holbrooks means the performance will be professionally directed, filmed and edited. “They’re taking care 14
NOVEMBER -DECEMBER 2020
