Colorado Ballet Nutcracker set design and costumes moving forward

The Show must go on… Colorado Ballet Nutcracker set-design and costumes moving forward

Colorado Ballet is well underway toward making this season’s production of The Nutcracker another smashing success. Over 200 joined a recent ZOOM presentation to share a progress update on the set design and costumes introduced by Kristina Sablatura, administrative assistant to the artistic director. The “Happy Hour” virtual reveal was a panel comprised of Holly Hynes, a costume designer from New Jersey, and set designer Thomas Boyd of Texas, Gil Boggs, artistic director, Adam Sexton, managing director of advancement and Denise Sanderson, veteran board member, and campaign chair.

Even with the arts organizations facing uncertain times, Colorado Ballet plans to move forward with its upcoming 60th anniversary season and excitement in the community. Colorado Ballet performs The Nutcracker 37 times generating $3 million each year. That’s 55 percent of ticket sales. The 30-year-old costumes inherited from San Francisco were in disarray and barely holding together. “It was time for a new set of our own,” said Artistic Director Gil Boggs. “We are excited about where we are in the process! We wanted the Victorian feel to stay the same and began the search for designers. The cream always rises to the top.” By that, he meant the selection of Holly Hynes and Thomas Boyd. The direction from Colorado Ballet to the two stars in the industry was: “Go and be creative!” Here are just a few of the concepts shared at the reveal.

Thomas, who had seen the production in Denver last year, said: “There is so much to like! I was inspired by respect for tradition.” He showed images that inspired him such as Rossetti’s Drawing Room and another piece of art - Woman Reading a Book to imagine the new sets and colors chosen to complement Holly’s costumes. He actually revealed a constructed model to scale for Act I “The Party Scene” explaining that the elements were designed independently to come and go. “Models are so important,” he said. He will probably be on hand for the actual building of the set. His “Snow Scene” was conceived by having the advantage of actually being in Denver and experiencing the amazing winters in Colorado – ever greens covered with snow. His vision was to duplicate this beauty for a set. When asked about the tree, Thomas explained that the tree is going to grow. And grow…out of the room.”And, we must have an owl clock. The clock will be animated.” There will be more surprises, but both Holly and Thomas are excited about the chandeliers.

Holly is designing costumes to accompany variations in the “Snow Scene.” Colorado’ s production has four soloists, four crystals, and 16 snowflakes. The colors will translate from silver to gray to blue to white depending on the magic of lighting and twinkle accents. Underlayers of color may vary to enhance the effect. “There will be lots of changes, so a stellar costume department is needed,” she explained. The biggest changes from past productions will be the four animals – carousel horses with personality. For “The Party Scene” she wants to bring jewel tones into the costumes. The Arabian couple's background allows her to pop color – silk and flowy with metallic glitter, plums, and Aquas and a dancer’s hair braid secured to her bra. In Act II, the eight angels will wear bell-shaped gowns.

Holly mentioned that the shape of the costume is sent to Gil before the color is painted to be sure it will work for the dancers. Finding the materials (she already has the measurements for construction) Gil Boggs, artistic director Adam Sexton, managing director of advancement Holly Hynes, costume designer Denise Sanderson, campaign chair/board member is the next step. She actually has the performers do virtual twirls and lifts to see how the fabric performs. The next step in the set design is the formal bidding to award the building contract. Both artists agreed that collaboration with each other and the lighting partner really makes it fun. Both gave accolades to the whole crowd at Colorado Ballet saying they couldn’t be better to work with and made Holly and Thomas feel like they really bring something to the table.

Gil Boggs is planning a debut event to reveal the new sets and costumes for the coming season. “I can’t be more excited,” said Denise Sanderson who heads the campaign. There’s a Go Fund Me site for donations to move forward: www.coloradoballet.org/ gofundthemagic.