Nutcracker 25 years ago. Though the memory is vivid in her mind, she still can’t wrap her head around the fact that this month marks the 25th production.
When she first moved to Santa Maria, Zink, artistic director for Everybody Can DANCE and the Santa Maria Civic Ballet, found some summer and mid-season productions, but noticed there was a lack of winter productions. At the time, she was teaching 3- to 9-year-olds, and they performed at the Santa Maria Veterans Hall and in the mall.
“Nobody was doing Nutcracker, and I thought, ‘There isn’t a Christmas production, and this would be a beautiful thing to bring to the community,’” she said.
The production has now become a community staple.
Zink combines traditional choreography from the original production, choreography she performed for her instructor when she was 12, and fast-paced choreography of her own. Her signature choreography incorporates elaborate geometric formations that pack the stage with performers, actions in all corners, and a touch of humor.
Zink teaches the Russian ballet method, called Vaganova, which is very scientific and exact. It focuses on technique and discipline, as well as artistry. The children are taught The Nutcracker story and to intensely feel the emotions of their part, while knowing when to add spontaneous touches. This process is probably the easiest part of teaching for Zink.
“Young children live in a world of imagination. So this is a big fantasy for them; it brings their imagination out,” she said. “Some students are extremely intelligent, and they get into trouble because they are bored. They don’t get to use their imagination to its fullest. This gives them a chance to use all their wit. There’s no boredom here.”
Just because it’s easy for the children to get into character doesn’t mean the production is easy, however. With elaborate scenes and complex action, Zink has a lot of directing to do. Act I ends in an intricate scene involving 24 dancers. Act II involves bold dancing in “The Waltz of the Flowers” and builds to “The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” performed alternately by Assistant Director Stephanie Deck and Juliet Peck, both of whom have completed Level 9 training, the highest level in the Vaganova Method.
Zink’s youngest dancer is 2; the oldest is in his 70s. They come from all professional levels, from beginner to Level 9, as is the case with the dancers performing “The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.”
“They have several scenes and costume changes,” Zink said. “I love seeing the children realize how much they can do. I treat them like little professionals.”
Josh Nohrer, 13, will perform as the Nutcracker Prince. He placed second in the men’s division of the Santa Barbara Ballet Competition in April. Cameron Durnin, 12, and Nicole Foster, 13, will alternate in the role of Clara, the girl who receives the Nutcracker as a Christmas gift.
Zink said the young dancers learn fast because she tells them exactly what they need to do so there’s no guessing. She said she’s been doing this long enough that she knows exactly what she needs from them and exactly what they can give her. But the best part is the feeling of accomplishment when completing the production as a team.
“It’s fun to see them all working hard together, each doing their part to make this come together,” Zink said.
Arts Editor Shelly Cone would like a walnut. Contact her at scone@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Nov 17-24, 2011.