AMB In the Community…
School Workshops Kick Off Nutcracker Season
Nutcracker season got its official kickoff Thursday as 24 AMB dancers fanned out to grade schools across the metro to lead workshops based on the famous holiday ballet. More than 700 students took part in the workshops, organized in partnership with Omaha Performing Arts.
“The Nutcracker is more than a ballet, it’s a community event,” said Erika Overturff, AMB’s artistic director and CEO. “Workshops such as these, along with our Orpheum school matinees and the participation of more than 70 young dancers from throughout the community in our performances, help people feel a part of the Nutcracker experience.”
At each school a group of dancers gave workshop participants an introduction to the Nutcracker story and its history, demonstrated ballet steps seen in the production, and led participants in movement activities based on the ballet. Participating elementary schools were Willa Cather, Joslyn, Bancroft, Jefferson, Forest Station, Druid Hill, and Rose Hill, along with Fremont Middle School.
“The kids had been studying The Nutcracker and were prepared with lots of good questions for us,” said dancer Erica Lohman, who helped lead a workshop for third-graders at Willa Cather. “They were interested in how our costumes are made and how we are able to change them so quickly during a performance. I showed them my pointe shoes and asked them to guess what they were made of, which produced a lot of interesting answers! And we taught them the frogs’ dance from Waltz of the Flowers, which was a huge hit.”
Dancers also visited the Omaha Public Library’s Florence branch for a “Nutcracker Story Time” scaled for younger fans. Future Story Time sites include Ralston’s Baright Public Library on Monday, November 17, at 10:30 am, and the Council Bluffs Public Library on Thursday, November 29, at 10 am.
Now It’s Your Turn…
The best seats always sell out quickly, so act now to attend The Nutcracker!
At the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center:
- Saturday, November 22, 2 & 7:30 pm
- Sunday, November 23, 2 pm (sensory-friendly performance)
At Omaha’s Orpheum Theater:
- Thursday, December 4, 7:30 pm (newly added by popular demand!)
- Friday, December 5, 7:30 pm
- Saturday, December 6, 2 & 7:30 pm
- Sunday, December 7, 2 pm