By Briana Hale
"The Nutcracker" is a classic staple among Christmas, with hundreds of performances held
around the country each year. Ball State’s upcoming production is no exception. Featuring the
music composed by Tchaikovsky, the Ball State Symphony Orchestra has practiced extensively
for the show, more often than for other shows, according to Ball State senior violin
performance and music education major Miranda Blevins, who has been performing with the
orchestra since her freshman year.
“To prepare for our normal performances, we meet for almost six hours a week to
rehearse and perfect the pieces we are playing,” she said, “whereas, with The Nutcracker, we
are meeting for the six-hour time period during the week and adding additional rehearsals and
dress rehearsals.”
These additional rehearsals allow the dancers and orchestra to come together so the
dancers can learn the tempos and get used to performing with the orchestra, rather than the
recordings they previously practiced with. Though The Nutcracker is famous for its score, many
audiences do not even consider how important the music actually is.
For example, dances in the second act are meant to represent sweets from different
countries. Without the orchestra to indicate these countries, the audience might have a hard
time picking out which country the sweets come from.
“The music plays an important role in the show by creating and laying a foundation for
the dancers to perform to,” Blevins said. “Without the music, The Nutcracker would have a hard
time being successful because a lot of different items are being portrayed through the music
constantly.”
The show, a fairly lighthearted production, is sure to leave audiences with good feelings.
“The audience can expect a lot of great things from this performance,” Blevins said.
“[They] should expect to feel feelings of happiness and joy while watching the ballet.”
The performance will be held December 8 in the John R. Emens Auditorium on Ball
State’s campus. Tickets can be purchased through the Emens Box Office.
Photo caption: The Nutcracker will be held on Dec. 8 in John R. Emens Auditorium.
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