Local children and professional dancers will take the same stage in The Nutcracker

Factoid:The Nutcracker will open in for a one-day performance on Dec. 1 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $21 with a $6 discount for children 15 and younger.

Lilith Reuter-Yuill sits quietly in a chair at Susan Barnes Dance Studio and eats a sandwich packed from home. Although she sits with her shoes off, taking a break from “The Nutcracker” ballet rehearsal, she diligently waits for her dance class to begin again.

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True to a child’s spirit, Clara’s dream of a handsome nutcracker will come to life in this collaboration of local and professional dancers.

“It is an American holiday tradition. It is a family show. It is beautiful, all the arts and the glory,” said Jane Dudley, the producer of the show.

Playing the part of a soldier, Reuter-Yuill’s feet will whimsically prance upon the stage this Sunday at Shryock. This will be her second Nutcracker performance with the International Ballet Theater. She has previously danced in the party scene when this company came to Carbondale two years ago.

“I didn’t like the slow movement. I didn’t realize how much strength it took, but now I respect it more, how much harder it is,” Reuter-Yuill said.

Reuter-Yuill dedicates much of her time to dance. Dancing the part of a soldier, her feet will whimsically prance upon the stage as one of the 32 selected dancers of the Susan Barnes Dance Studio to dance with the professional dancers of the International Dance Theater.

Children ages 7 to 13 will dance the night away in two numbers and be involved in three theatrical scenes. They will spend one day of rehearsal with the International Ballet Theater. During this time costumes, makeup and any last-minute choreography changes must be made. The kids will have to listen carefully and pick things up quick.

“We try to instill the whole atmosphere. They open presents in the scene, so they have to use their imagination. It is a combination of ballet skills, pointing toes and acting because they have to portray a character,” said Alicia Whitehead, a faculty member at Susan Barnes Dance Studio.

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Students have rehearsed between 12 and 2 p.m. every Saturday since August. This is a great chance for the local dancers of this area to get professional dance experience. Each touring performance by The International Ballet Theater is rewarded with an opportunity for the community to become involved in this arts event.

“There are two reasons we do it, which are very pragmatic. We can’t do “The Nutcracker” without children. It just wouldn’t be very much of a party scene. The second reason:It is a fabulous community outreach. It is a chance to get up on stage and see what this steady dance is all about,” Dudley said.

For more than 100 years, “The Nutcracker” has delighted the holiday spirit. Today, almost every ballet company in America performs this traditional ballet.

Tchaikovsky wrote “The Nutcracker” in 1890. He based it upon King Renn’s daughter by the Danish dramatist Hendrik Herz. Premiering on Dec. 17, 1892, it was considered a failure at the time. It was not until the 1950s and ’60s that it became an aspect of American holiday tradition.

“Any performing experience is good. Being on stage is good, the lights and audience, especially performing next to professional competitors, to use as role models,” Whitehead said.

The purpose of the International Ballet Theater is to maintain the quality of the Russian School of Ballet. By showcasing the jewels of Russian ballet for the public’s eyes, its style remains preserved.

“It is a Russian style for the American people,” said Aleaxander Boitsov, assistant choreographer and ballet master.

Students of the International Ballet Theater are trained in the Vaganova dance method and are not permitted to perform roles they are not ready for. The standards remain close to the Russian tradition. The company includes dancers from Russia, Moldova and Ukraine.

The ballet is more respected in Russia than sports or politics. Vladimir Shumeikin, the producer and artistic director insists that new styles can and should evolve alongside the classic styles of dance.

The participating dance students will learn the choreography style from this ensemble of award-winning dancers and perform on stage this Christmas classic.

“With the company using local children, they can see what they could be if they wanted to and also work with a professional ballet company, which is a great experience,” Dudley said.

Reporter Jackie Keane can be reached at [email protected]