The Nutcracker owes at least some of its enduring popularity to the charming sight of children in the cast. SFCV’s Katharine Dimitruk was on hand for a rehearsal with the Oakland Ballet Company as they worked with kids on several scenes in preparation for their production of Graham Lustig’s Nutcracker. She also visited a school during an outreach program with the company.
Nutcracker performances with the Oakland Symphony run Saturday, Dec. 23 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 24 at 1 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre, Oakland. Tickets and more information at the Oakland Ballet Company website.
The cast rehearses the Party Scene | Credit: Katharine DimitrukThe cast rehearses the Party Scene | Credit: Katharine DimitrukCompany members Alysia Chang and Emily Kerr rehearse with student dancers | Credit: Katharine DimitrukStudent dancer Alexander Pers suits up in his Rat costume | Credit: Katharine DimitrukRamona Kelley as Marie with student cast members as Rats | Credit: Katharine DimitrukSeyong Kim as the Nutcracker, with student dancers as Mice and Rats, rehearsing the Battle Scene | Credit: Katharine DimitrukStudent dancers Evelyn Kwong, Annie Cheng, and Clara Castronovo rehearse the Battle Scene | Credit: Katharine DimitrukRamona Kelley as Marie with student cast members as Rats | Credit: Katharine DimitrukCast members from the Oakland Ballet’s Nutcracker, Coral Martin, Emily Kerr, Vincent Chavez and Alysia Chang (from left to right), visited the International Community School in Oakland to talk about ballet, the Nutcracker, and their experiences as dancers. | Credit: Katharine DimitrukVincent Chavez and Alysia Chang performing a scene from the Nutcracker | Credit: Katharine DimitrukStudents Alessandra, Sebastian, Nag, and Danicka were invited on stage to help choreograph with the dancers. | Credit: Katharine DimitrukStudents from the International Community School watching the performance | Credit: Katharine Dimitruk
Katharine Dimitruk is a freelance photographer and music enthusiast based in the East Bay.
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