Behind the Scenes of Iowa Dance Theater’s “The Nutcracker”

Opening on December 13th to the public, The Iowa Dance Theater’s production of The Nutcracker has been a holiday tradition in the Des Moines Metro thanks to endless work and effort put in behind the scenes by dancers, staff and theater crew.

First performed in 1892 in St. Petersburg, Russia, The Nutcracker is a classical ballet that many hold close to their hearts, even 132 years later and nearly 5,000 miles from its original origin. The Iowa Dance Theater produces the show with a mix of professional and student ballet dancers ranging from all ages and abilities. Although the general public does not think about the ballet until December, dancers and staff in the Des Moines Metro are already gearing up as early as August for the season. With this timely, dedicated commitment, the company has performed successfully for the past 39 years.

Starting with auditions, dancers begin to prepare with videos of audition combinations in early August. They then take the three to four combos they learned to the audition room, where they perform for an adjudicator and choreographers within small groups towards the end of the month. These auditions analyze a dancer’s ability, determining their roles for the production going forward. 

Brett Machamer, a current dance teacher at Westside Dance Academy with over 16 years of experience performing in and choreographing for The Nutcracker, expressed, “Watching dancers audition can be difficult because you want the best outcome for them. Working with the dancers year after year, you get to know them well and see them grow as dancers and people. The pressure is high to perform well, and it can be devastating if you feel you should have shown off your best work.”

After auditions and potential callbacks for a selected few, the cast list comes out a few weeks later. At this moment, students get to decide to accept their roles and discover their schedule, choreographers, costume fittings, and what performances they will participate in. Quickly after this, dancers begin rehearsals in studio spaces across the Metro to learn choreography and blocking. They will then take this knowledge to the Civics Center stage when they begin tech and dress rehearsals after a few weeks. 

These tech and dress rehearsals are the moment where the show truly begins to come together. From putting on costumes for the first time to discovering how certain backdrops look with a scene, technology within the theater allows The Nutcracker to blossom into the show it is. Year after year, different elements are added or changed to enhance the magic of the whimsical production to the audience.

Machamer states “My favorite element implemented is always the costumes. Watching performers put on a piece of beautiful artwork, and the excitement and joy it brings them is unmatched. Tutus are especially magical for the ones who have been training for years and years to attain advanced roles.”

Not only is viewing The Nutcracker a tradition for many, but theater crew, staff, professional dancers and students exhibit their traditions while they prepare for a live audience within school shows and public performances. From fun handshakes to hidden stickers, the cast and crew build an incredibly strong bond. On performance days, the energy is high in the dressing rooms, and this community formed over the past couple of months gets to display all of their endless work. For dancers, after spending time doing hair and makeup the company puts together a group warm up. 

Bella Kuhl, a current sophomore at Northwest High School and dancer in The Nutcracker for the past seven years explained, “I love warm-ups just because every day is a different teacher and when you’re getting to experience different teachers you experience different styles… and you’re getting to know people around you at the same time. I always come back to warm-ups feeling like I learned something new or I was able to do something I hadn’t done before.”

After this, the show begins and the hard work pays off for everyone involved and the hundreds to thousands of people viewing in the audience. 

Leta Christensen, Senior at Northwest High School and performer in The Nutcracker commented, “The performances are fun because it brings everyone closer together.”

As the season comes to a close with the end of the holidays, many dancers and choreographers continue to work and train, preparing for the next year already. The growth and community within the Iowa Dance Theater and The Nutcracker have dancers and audience members coming together year after year, watching the beloved ballet with the same enthusiasm as ever.

When discussing her passion for the show, Machamer concluded, “Each year I am involved in the show, I think of all the heartwarming memories over the past 16 years I have been involved in The Nutcracker. Happy memories of friends, mentors and even family participating occupy my mind during this time of year. It is hard to describe how important this production is to me.” 

The technical elements of the ballet ignite not only excitement from the audience, but passion for the dancers and staff year after year.