The Nutcracker is Upon Us!

Guest writer: Sarah Stern, marketing manager

As you can imagine, it’s a particularly busy week for us.  Our 21st Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will kick off the holiday season on Wednesday, November 26 from 11am-1pm, followed by opening night of The Nutcracker on Friday, November 28 at 7:30 pm.  My office is especially wild…

The two big events I organize for Houston Ballet are the Theater District Open House, which takes place every August, and the Annual Wortham Theater Tree Lighting Ceremony, which takes place the day before Thanksgiving every year.  The Tree Lighting is a really fun event…there are a dozen Nutcracker characters wandering around, little girls dancing in their favorite princess dresses, and musical groups singing upbeat holiday music.  But mostly people get a kick out of the rats:

This year our guest performers will include The Invincible Czars, Houston Grand Opera’s Girls’ Chorus, and the Salvation Army Harbor Light Choir.  The Czars will perform their jazzy rendition of The Nutcracker Suite, which is a hilarious take on the most famous ballet music of all time.  They will also join me on KUHF’s The Front Row tomorrow afternoon, so tune in!

After the Tree Lighting Ceremony is over, I have several other Nutcracker promotions coming up soon:  an appearance at Barnes & Noble (Town and Country location) on Nov. 29; a visit to the patients of Tx Children’s Hospital Cancer Center; Mayor White’s downtown holiday party on Dec. 5; and a book reading at Houston Public Library downtown on Dec. 7.  Like I said, this time of year is just a whirlwind of pointe shoes, tutus, and tights!

-Sarah

Scenes from Our 09-10 Season Photo Shoot

Here are some pictures from our recent photo shoot for the 09-10 season.  We’re not at liberty to release our season repertoire yet, but I thought you guys would get a real kick out of our special guests for the day: SNAKES!  Many thanks to Pam Francis and her team and “Snake Man” Clint Pustejovsky for a really fun and productive day.

Click on thumbnails to see full size photos. 

Photos: Simon Ball getting his makeup done; Melody Herrera getting her hair done; Mireille Hassenboehler getting spray-tanned; Ian Casady, Katharine Precourt, Christopher Coomer, Peter Franc, and Jonathan Davidsson; Barbara Bears with Patches the snake; Connor Walsh with Callie the snake; Mireille Hassenboehler with Patches the snake; Melody Herrera with Joe the snake; Christopher Coomer, Peter Franc, and Ian Casady with Joe the snake; “Snake Man” Clint Pustejovsky and Pam Francis assisant arranging snakes for Melody Herrera and Connor Walsh’s photo shoot.

My Debut as Clara

Guest writer: Katelyn May, apprentice

It’s that time of year once again, the season of holiday cheer, and nothing rings in these wintry months like the time-honored tradition of The Nutcracker.  For years this ballet has been performed for families to spread the magic of the holidays and bring people together. 

From a dancer’s point of view, The Nutcracker is a performance in which they can push their limits and perform in roles that are challenging for them.  As a member of the company who started in the Houston Ballet Academy, it has been an interesting experience for me to perform in The Nutcracker.  From starting out as a rat and flying cook to dancing roles such as Flower, Snow, Clara and Mirlitons, The Nutcracker has a special place in my heart.  This year, The Nutcracker is indeed a challenge but it is also an exciting time in my life.  For two years I have watched Houston Ballet perform The Nutcracker, and I have always aspired to perform alongside the company in the premiere roles that this ballet provides.  Now I finally get that chance, and it is a very rewarding experience for me.

The Nutcracker is a ballet that will live forever and will always be special to me.  While the work may be tough and the days may feel long, I am thankful for all of my opportunities, and I am excited to ring in this holiday season as an employee of Houston Ballet.

-Katelyn