ST. PAUL – The Nutcracker production put on by the St. Paul and District Arts Foundation has become an annual tradition in the community. It has overcome challenges in the past, including the pandemic, but this year putting on the production proved to be another challenging task.
Earlier in the year, the production was nearly cancelled due to the lack of funding. A provincial grant the Arts Foundation has relied on in the past was practically cut in half.
The foundation then applied for one of the funding streams of the province’s Ethnocultural grant, which provides up to $15,000 to projects celebrating diversity - and was accepted.
It takes significant resources to put on a show like the Nutcracker, according to organizers.
Anna Pratch, executive director of the foundation, who is also this year’s artistic director for the Nutcracker, said the foundation applied to other forms of funding, but was not successful.
On Sept. 12, Pratch said the foundation held an emergency board meeting, unsure of what the next step might be - which included the possibility of cancelling the production altogether.
Jennifer Muirhead, a member of the board of directors, recalled feeling nervous at the time.
“It was not looking too good,” she said, because it was also not just the funding that was a problem.
Muirhead said there were also some logistical challenges, from maintaining sponsors, to finding volunteers and artists.
“Especially volunteers and artists,” she added. Artists “don’t get ever paid enough for what they do.”
Since the production hires professional artists and performers, they have to be paid. Other elements like decorations and props also cost money.
In 2022 and 2023, both productions cost roughly $40,000, Pratch said. That’s not including “over 600 hours of volunteer time . . . [and] in-kind donations.”
“So, we are putting this production on with approximately 40 per cent of the budget that we usually have,” she added. “We were so close to cancelling the show.”
But the foundation chose to persevere.
The show must go on
The community stepped up, according to Pratch, including the Ukrainian Orthodox Men’s Club donating the show’s venue at the All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Cultural Centre.
Many studios from across the Lakeland also stepped up and got involved, including the Northern Beats Academy in Lac La Biche, Svitlo - Vegreville Academy of Ukrainian Dance Association, Mattierin Irish Dance from Edmonton, and the Community Dance Collective in Waskatenau.
“Not to mention the dozens of cultural dancers that are coming in as well,” Pratch said.
She added the value of all these artists participating could not be underestimated, especially the professionals who will be performing at a fraction of the Canadian Alliance of Dance Artists’ (CADA) rate.
“Everybody is taking cuts to help make sure that this show stays on,” explained Pratch. Asked how much she is getting paid herself as the artistic director, she said she is not sure – it may depend on the ticket sales.
“But I think it’s really important for this show to exist in this community.”
Pratch invites the community to come out, watch, and give their support.
Despite all the challenges, “I would say this year has the highest calibre of cast that we’ve ever had,” she added.
Behind the scenes, preparations are well underway. Performers have been practicing for countless hours leading up to the show.
And “People should come because it’s a damn good show,” said Pratch.
The Foundation’s 11th annual Nutcracker production will be held on Dec. 7 at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and on Dec. 8 at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets are now available for purchase online.
