For the first time since 2019, a beloved holiday tradition is set to return to one of the Centre Region’s premier concert halls.
Nittany Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” is back in person this weekend with shows lined up at Penn State’s Eisenhower Auditorium on Dec. 10 and 11. Connor Weigand, the executive artistic director of the ballet-affiliated Performing Arts School of Central Pennsylvania, says the upcoming performances should deliver enjoyable holiday entertainment for all ages.
“It’s a magical experience,” Weigand said. “It’s been a tradition of ours for over 20 years, and it’s a major tradition in the ballet world, too. Our dancers have been working super hard, and our volunteers behind the scenes have created set pieces that really bring the production to life. It’s going to be a really beautiful evening out for anyone who comes to the show.”
Nittany Ballet’s upcoming performances promise to be the group’s biggest “Nutcracker” yet, Weigand said. While more than 100 dancers perform in total, each show will feature about 80, including 15 volunteer dancers. And by double-casting some roles, Weigand and his staff have ensured younger dancers aren’t tasked with doing too much throughout the season.
Additionally, more than 20 volunteers work in the background on designing costumes, configuring lighting fixtures and getting the production ready for the curtain to rise. Weigand says Nittany Ballet’s bigger and better “Nutcracker” wouldn’t be possible without strong community support.
“It really takes a small army to put this together, with our most valuable soldiers being our dancers,” he said. “They’ve been not only putting in 12-plus hours of technique classes per week but also more than five hours per week in rehearsals, which started in September.”
Nittany Ballet is bringing its “Nutcracker” back to Eisenhower Auditorium this year for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began. While in-person performances were off the table, Weigand and his staff adapted to the changing times by moving some performances and rehearsals to Zoom. Partnerships with Tussey Mountain helped the Performing Arts School of Central Pennsylvania host some outdoor performances, too.
Last year, with the help of a professional videographer, Nittany Ballet even recorded a roughly 45-minute performance of “The Nutcracker” that was shortened to keep the attention spans of younger viewers. By leveraging some connections down at the nearby Omni Bedford Springs Resort and using a spare ballroom as a backdrop, Weigand helped deliver a meaningful “Nutcracker” experience for his dancers and volunteers
“Bedford Springs is simply beautiful,” Weigand said. “They opened up their doors for us and allowed us to give these kids an experience that they normally wouldn’t have gotten. It was important to give them that chance to perform.”
Since the current “Nutcracker” season began, adapting planning and rehearsals back to normal wasn’t too much of a learning curve for the company’s dancers, who range from 4-year-olds to high schoolers. The excitement of a true performance in front of a live audience does plenty to keep everyone motivated and engaged, Weigand said.
Performers like Lydia Barber, the production’s longtime star, say an in-person production gives dancers and actors alike the chance to truly see the impact of their work. Putting those talents on display in Penn State’s 2,500-seat Eisenhower Auditorium, of course, only sweetens the deal.
“I’m thankful for every performance opportunity that comes our way, but being in person brings a different excitement. It’s great getting the audience’s feedback and feeding off of the energy guests provide,” Barber said. “The stage is so huge, and it feels like what we’re doing is important with that kind of scope. Ever since I was little, there were always things going on at Eisenhower, and it’s a big part of the community. Being featured there? It makes us feel like we’re part of something truly special.”
Perhaps no local performer knows Nittany Ballet’s “Nutcracker” like Barber, who’s been involved with the production every year since she was 4 years old. Now, the State College Area High School senior is working hard to enjoy the little things and keep each moment in perspective before her final show on Dec. 11.
“I remember the very first time that I was in ‘Nutcracker,’ and the biggest part was just remembering how to be in a straight line. Now, I’m basically in the entire ballet,” Barber said. “So, it’s really rewarding to have a role in which I’m able to sit back and watch the performance because I haven’t been able to do so while I’ve been dancing this whole time.”
In this year’s production, Barber portrays Clara, the young girl whose dreams, combined with Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, anchor the “Nutcracker” production. The 14-year Nittany Ballet veteran serves as the star of the show and helps mentor younger dancers. Those responsibilities are balanced as she works her way through her senior year at State High and plans to double-major in dance and history once she heads to college.
“Even with applying to colleges this year and taking the necessary exams, it’s challenging balancing the time, but we all find a way through it,” said Barber, who noted rehearsals can stretch from the moment school lets out until 8 or 9 p.m. “We’ve also had to give up some things, too. At school, I have an orchestra concert that I’ll need to miss because I’d rather be at rehearsal to get ready for the show.
“I feel like I’m spending almost all of my time thinking about ‘Nutcracker,’” Barber continued with a laugh. “There’s so much choreography to remember and acting techniques to think about. It’s a big commitment, but it’s worth it.”
As her final “Nutcracker” nears, Barber is practically working overtime to mentor Nittany Ballet’s younger dancers. That role is doubled through events in the community, including a “Nutcracker” tea party this week that gave younger dancers a chance to learn choreography from Nittany Ballet experts.
The expectations for Barber are high as she completes her Nittany Ballet victory lap. But despite the long rehearsals and many challenges performing may bring, she says the hard work is always worthwhile.
“I’ve spent so long looking up to older dancers, so it’s a little weird being the one everyone’s looking up to,” Barber said. “At the same time, it’s nice because I enjoy working with kids and seeing them get invested in the ‘Nutcracker’ story and find enjoyment in this art. I love being that role model for them.”
Weigand, who joined the Performing Arts School of Central Pennsylvania in 2017, has worked alongside Barber for the better half of a decade. Looking back on that span, he says Barber has slowly but surely grown into a leader in Nittany Ballet’s ever-growing dance company.
“All the kids’ dedication blows me away, but especially right now with Lydia,” Weigand said. “For me, seeing her in that position, I get a little emotional. I remember coming here years ago and seeing Lydia as ‘just the quiet girl.’ Now, she really is leading the room and stepping into roles that, when I first met her, I didn’t know she would be able to fill. She’s really blossomed, and it’s amazing to see.”
Families in the Centre Region will be able to see Barber and Nittany Ballet’s dancers perform “The Nutcracker” at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11. Tickets are available online.
