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'The Nutcracker' Returns To Bloomington

The Indiana University Ballet Theater's 2009 production of The Nutcracker takes place in the Musical Arts Center with performances Friday, Saturday and Sunday December 4, 5 and 6 with evening performances on Friday and Saturday and matinees on Saturday and Sunday.

WFIU's George Walker talked with Doricha Sales, the director of IU's Pre-College Dance Program and IU's Ballet Mistress.

"We're very excited about this year's production. It features the familiar sets and costumes of C. David Higgins and the original choreography by the program's director Michael Vernon. This is the third year that the company has worked with Michael's choreography. The general outline is the same, but there are some changes, some fine tuning. The combination of these slight changes and the growth of the program are creating a growing and developing production."

Sales went on to talk a bit about the company. "One of the things that has been happening over the past years is the growth of the company. Each year the dancers who audition for our program are stronger. They are better prepared and have more experience. And our own program has developed in rigor to help them become even more accomplished. This year we have such a strong group that there are different dancers taking the leads in each of the performances. "

"And I do have to mention that there's been growth in the Pre-College Program as well. This year we actually have a little boy playing Fritz, Clara's sister. In the past it's usually been a girl with her hair tucked up under a cap. Our Fritz has been working hard and we're very happy that little boys who come to the performance will see a boy up on stage."

The Nutcracker at Indiana University

December 4, 5, 6, 2009

Music by Tchaikovsky

Choreography Michael Vernon

Design C. David Higgins

Conductor David Cook

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