A Little American Repertory Ballet History
Did you know that the first full-length performance of American Repertory Ballet’s The Nutcracker was in 1956? It’s true! This first production (when the company was still called the Princeton Regional Ballet Company) was produced by the Princeton Ballet School, however, it did not become an annual tradition until 1963. Choreographed by Princeton Ballet School founder Audreé Estey, the 1963 production would stay true to Estey’s choreography until 1986, when Artistic Director Dermot Burke joined the company and re-choreographed certain sections. After Burke’s departure, newly appointed Artistic Director Septime Webre would go on to re-choreograph sections during his tenure from 1993-1999. And then in 1999, Graham Lustig was named Artistic Director of American Repertory Ballet and “Graham Lustig’s The Nutcracker” premiered in 2000.
 
Now, in 2010, newly appointed Company Director Douglas Martin has choreographed an all new ACT II. In addition, this year’s Nutcracker will go back to its roots, to the classic, Victorian style, original choreography of Audreé Estey for ACT I.
 
Please join us in celebrating American Repertory Ballet’s 47th season of The Nutcracker!
Kelly Skinner wrote on Aug/9    ...Read More