ST. PAUL - This year's production of the Nutcracker, which has become a community tradition spearheaded by the St. Paul & District Arts Foundation, will be showing on the big screen, following months of preparation and a busy weekend of filming.
In a bid to keep things somewhat predictable and abide by changing public health measures, the foundation chose to create a feature film, rather than put on a live performance, although, the project is a cross between live performance and film.
A long list of talented performers, artists, and volunteers have put countless hours of work into creating the unique film, according to those involved.
On Friday night, the group was doing its last dress rehearsal prior to filming on Saturday. Artistic director Anna Pratch offered some thoughts on the project, which began with concept meetings this spring. Auitions were then held in August, and rehearsals began in September.
A premier at the Elite Theatre is now scheduled for Dec. 18.
One of the focal points of the film will be a number of traditional dances featured in the second set, which includes a variety of cultures. While past productions of the Nutcraker have also included traditional dances, Pratch says she is very proud of how this year's production has come together.
Of course, the film will also include the traditional ballet pieces the Nutcracker is known for.
Performers involved in this year's production range in age from preschool aged children to seniors, and come from across the Lakeland, and even beyond.
The beginning to now
The arts foundation started with putting on live performances of the Nutcracker in 2014. Last year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization shifted and put together a virtual performance.
This year, public health measures have opened up a bit, but those involved wanted to offer some certainty for performers and volunteers, and avoid having to change plans at the last minute. So, a hybrid of sorts has been created, and live performances are being intertwined with filmmaking.
"It is our classic Nutcracker tale, but shown in a way that highlights the strengths of our community," says Pratch. She adds that one of the biggest goals of the project was to take people who are committed and talented, and offer them an opportunity to learn and grow as performers.
Performers took part in acting workshops, and those with acting backgrounds were given lessons in dancer movement and musicality, offering every the chance to learn something new.
The cast is made up of 40 to 50 people, but it also includes a number of people working behind the scenes, making it pretty likely that residents who are interested in watching the film will know someone who is involved.
Performers
In attendance at Friday's dress rehearsal were some of the main characters in the film - St. Paul's Alyssa Kennedy will place Clara, and Smoky Lake's Ryder Trembecky is playing the Nutcracker.
This will be Kennedy's third time taking part in the Nutcracker production, and for Trembecky, it's an entirely new experience.
Both teens are excited to be part of the production, and the roles they landed. Kennedy says last year she had just one dance in the production, and this year is much more involved in the acting side of things. She's been able to pick up some new skills and says the experience has been "really fun."
Trembecky's background is also in dance, and become involved with this year's film after submitted an audition tape. She says the experience has been "cool and different," and the story is filled with "twists and cool scenes."
Local filmmaker
Turning the Nutcracker into a film is being made possible thanks in large part to the local expertise offered by filmmaker Eric Spoeth, the project's cinematographer and editor. He helped pull last year's virtual show together, and describes that experiences as one that forced organizers to be creative.
Creating a film, rather than solely relying on a live performance, allows for the experience to be more cinematic. Dramatic moments can be built through the editing process, for example.
This year's film will look more like a live production, when compared to last year's, and as much as filmmaking is what Spoeth does, he acknowledges there is nothing that can truly replace a live performance with a live audience.
Speaking about the audience, Spoeth is hopeful the production will reach people beyond the St. Paul community.
Spoeth believes that traditions are important, and the Nutcracker has become a community tradition that he hopes people look forward to.
The project is being supported by a Government of Alberta Multiculturalism, Indigenous and Inclusion Grant (MIIG). According to the provincial government, the grant program "supports initiatives and projects that builds intercultural awareness, and understanding. The Program fosters cultural awareness in communities across the province, and an appreciation and celebration of Indigenous Peoples and multicultural society in Alberta."
Tickets for the showing of the Nutcracker will be available by donation. A second showing may be scheduled if there is enough interest.
