A few weeks ago Campbell Baird, the Nutcracker costume designer, arrived with a team of drapers and fitters from 2 shops in NYC. They came and it was a “Project Runway” experience– they draped and pinned fabric on the dancers bodies and made muslin mock ups of the many of the costumes. It was really interesting how they were able to arrive with a garment half-made and then as we were standing there, they were able to re-make it in front of our eyes. They were here for 2 days and it was intense. After the “fitting” they packed everything up and shipped it back to NYC for finishing.

Since then, I’ve been able to see the Nashville Ballet costume shop’s handiwork as they begin finishing up some of their work. It’s so great to see the theorhetical turn to reality!

There are 180 costumes in the production, so our shop is building many of them, but others have been “farmed out” to shops in Atlanta, here in Nashville, and of course New York.  Just this week 4 of the finished costumes arrived for a photo shoot, the tutu for the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Nutcracker, the Nutcracker Prince and Clara. They are very beautiful and colorful. I’m looking forward to seeing more.

Well the Bell Witch has left TPAC. Where she makes mischief now is all up to her! We had a very successful Fall Series with over 1500 in attendance and are getting ready for an amazing new Nutcracker just under two months away! As we get ready for the Rat King, Clara, The Nutcracker Prince, and the Sugar Plum Fairy to grace Andrew Jackson Hall at TPAC, we have several creative and educational ways to welcome the holiday and this spectacular new production. Starting November 1st and continuing until November 22nd, we will have special Nutcracker storytimes at almost ALL of the Metro libraries! We will also be hosting a “Nutcracker Design Your Own Sugar Plum Fairy” coloring contest for the children who attend these storytimes. A beautifully costumed ballerina will read our new version of a Nashville Nutcracker, talk to the children about the new elements of our production, such as costuming and set designs, and lead the children in designing their own vision of the Sugar Plum Fairy’s iconic tutu! It will be great fun for the whole family each Saturday in November. Please make plans to attend one of your local librairies. To see times, dates, and locations, you can check out the Nashville Ballet website or contact me at 297-2966 ext. 17.

When the lights go down in Polk Theatre tonight, we will all be saying “The Bell Witch” and waiting with expectation for her arrival after a stellar performance of Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments. After watching dress rehearsal last night, I must say the audience is in for a real Halloween “treat” this weekend!! Weeks of hard work, dedication, and creativity are paying off. It was truly exciting to see the dancers “at home” on the TPAC stage. They truly transformed. There is just something about stepping onto the stage in full costume with make-up carefully applied. You are illuminated under lighting that has been strategically placed and focused, while working with sets and props that help you and your fellow performers create another world for the audience. You are bringing a story to life, a moment in time for the audience to experience. As a performer, I understand the challenges of creating a character. You must change. You are no longer yourself. It was thrilling to watch this happen through our dancers in the Bell Witch. What is even more amazing is the fact that the dancers do not utilize dialogue. Each expression, action, and emotion must be delivered effectively and believably through the power of dance and mime. It is not an easy task in the least, and is one that our dancers accomplish with great skill and talent! To talk about this aspect of the ballet performance and many others, we look forward to hosting our new “Talk-Backs” after each performance this weekend. Make plans to join Paul Vasterling, several of the company dancers, and myself to discuss the works in detail. It’s going to be great fun! Make sure your’re there when the lights go out!

Cathy Ratliff, Director of Education and Outreach for Nashville Ballet