Indiana University’s Nutcracker ballet is returning just in time for one more performance by its longtime choreographer.
Michael Vernon is the former chair of the ballet department and has been working on the annual holiday tradition since 2007.
He says although the production is like years past, he has to work with a new class of IU dancers.
“Basically, it's to accommodate the fact that not every step is suitable for every dancer. So, it's really an artistic decision.”
Vernon says after a year off due to the pandemic; a renewed sense of energy surrounds this year’s production.
The show includes about 60 children from the school’s pre-college program, 62 dancers, and 70 orchestra members – not to mention the production crew and faculty.
Vernon says he’s not planning to retire just yet – it’s just time for Bloomington to have a new Nutcracker.
“Things have to develop in the ballet world, we can't always be so traditional. So, I'm interested to see what's going to come in the future. And I think that's how the art form lives.”
The Nutcracker ballet runs through the weekend at the Musical Arts Center. There might be a few tickets left, but if not, a live stream of the production from the Jacobs School of Music is available on its website.
