The Performing Arts Conservatory’s unusual annual holiday tradition of “The Nutcracker Story” hits the stage later this month.
The Recorder sat down with Bridget Townsend, executive director of The Performing Arts Conservatory, ahead of the Nov. 22 performance to learn more about what makes “The Nutcracker Story” unique and how production, writing and directing skills can benefit the next generation of theater professionals.
Responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.
Tell me a little bit about The Performing Arts Conservatory’s holiday tradition and performance?
Townsend: Every year, we have been putting on a production called “The Nutcracker Story.” We always like to separate this production from “The Nutcracker” because it’s not a ballet. It’s nothing like our traditional “Nutcracker.”
Each year, it’s a different story. It’s a holiday classic, but with a twist of teenagers creating a story, and adding jazz music to help expound on the experience. We use music from the great Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, the music they used in the “Nutcracker Suite.” It’s really fascinating from the perspective of our culture, and being able to celebrate our culture — the kids love doing that … That’s what this whole holiday experience is about.
What does the holiday show mean for the students and faculty involved? What kinds of things are they learning and showcasing?
Townsend: This experience is for them to be able to really cultivate ideas and come up with new creative modes of creating a story and developing a storyline. They learn how to produce the story; they learn what goes on in directing the story and how to write a full script. For many of the students, that was really different, and it has been over the years, just them taking ideas in their mind and putting them on paper.
I was able to sit in on some of the meetings with the facilitators; we just kind of guide the thought process, and it’s often pretty hilarious listening to some of their ideas and being able to say to them, ‘Okay, do you think we should tell the story that way?’ These are actual … leadership skills being developed. Now, the writers of this story must help the cast understand how to implement those ideas.
READ MORE: IRT’s annual tradition of A Christmas Carol returns to the stage this week
When you’re preparing for this production, how do instructors approach teaching dance, music and staging differently? How “on their own” are the kids?
Townsend: The facilitators always get together first, and they start thinking about, ‘okay, what is this story? What should the costumes look like? What should we do so that we know what to explain to the kids?’ Then we broaden it and take it to the students.
They (the kids) even get involved in the wardrobe. This year, they were involved in what the color scheme is going to look like. So, after, the facilitators have an initial meeting and say, ‘this is when we’re going to hold the dates, and this is when we’re going to meet with the kids,’ basically we’re kind of there as coaches and to guide them so that the story, number one, makes sense, but that it’s fun, that it’s lively and that it explains the Nutcracker from their perspective.
Holiday shows are kind of a big deal for arts organizations; most wouldn’t let kids take the reins. Why is it important to instill these values and skills?
Townsend: It is pretty high stakes at holiday time. Really, for us, it is even in this performance, but in all of our performances that we find a way to give, to let their voice be heard. Particularly in this climate that we’re living in today, sometimes we don’t really make space for adults, but for us to hear their (the students’) voices, to hear how their heart beats and to pay attention to what they’re paying attention to. And so, we like to give them that space and to be able to have conversations, have open conversations.
This year (the students) decided, ‘Hey, you know what, we want a different angle, and we want Pawpaw to tell the story.’ Now, you’ve never heard of them adding a granddad, or someone in a different generation to come and tell this story, but they thought, ‘We want this to kind of be multi-generational.’ For us, it’s really been about hearing their voices and then helping them make their voices come alive. When they see the results of their voice, they’re pretty psyched about that. They’re really excited about seeing what they can do and accomplish.
What’s the message of “The Nutcracker Story?” What can guests expect from this year?
Townsend: I think this year, the message of “The Nutcracker Story” is learning to respect one another, respect one another’s opinions and to respect the value that each other brings. I mean, just the way they can interact with Pawpaw, just seeing how they’re interacting with a different generation, then seeing how they’re interacting with one another.
We’ll have some guest dancers from Elevation Dance Refinery and the Belzer Middle School choir will also be there with a cameo. We do like to make sure that we include our community. We think that is valuable, and that’s important. I think particularly in the performing arts, we need to be able to show this kind of camaraderie, and that we’re not in silos, but that we work together to produce an end result.
“The Nutcracker Story” is onstage at Castleton United Methodist Church, 7101 N. Shadeland Ave., at 2 p.m. on Nov. 22. Tickets start at $15 online and $20 at the door. For more information, visit tpacindy.org.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe has a bachelor's in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and has previously worked for Indy Maven, The Lantern, and CityScene Media Group. In her free time, Chloe enjoys live theatre, reading, baking and keeping her plants alive.
