Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance Innovates to Bring the Nutcracker to Life During COVID, Handmade Masks Designed to Match Exquisite Costumes
While this year’s production of the Nutcracker, performed by Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance (RCD) has taken a drastically different approach, it stays true to its roots.
“We were not about to give up trying to deliver this magical tradition that our founder Patricia Schuster established here in the 1980s,” says RCD Executive Director Amy Piantaggini. “It’s still the traditional story ballet classic, but with some necessary changes,” she adds.
RCD, committed to continuing this long-standing holiday tradition, made necessary modifications to adhere to CDC guidelines. “Nutcracker Director Alexander Glaz has adapted the RCD Nutcracker to a filmed version,” explains Piantaggini.
“Traditional partnering, the full-staged party scene, and the big battle portrayal are replaced by Glaz’s creative extensions to the story in these challenging times requiring social distancing,” says Piantaggini.
Filmed at RCD’s Main Street Blackbox studios over three days, the Nutcracker film will be presented at Ridgefield Playhouse on December 12 and 13, with a reduced cast of 52 dancers who will wear masks designed and executed by Maria Stofka, and were carefully created to become part of each matching costume.
Glaz says, “We are so grateful to continue delivering our sacred Nutcracker tradition to the Ridgefield Community in these challenging times. There will be quite a few changes to the choreography given the important protocols that we have in place this year. We would like to especially thank our amazing team, Maria Stofka for costuming and production management, as well as Adam Lobelson for film, lighting and digital effects. We are so proud of our students and the Ridgefield community as a whole for the continued support of our dance education at RCD!”
Thanks to RCD’s three teleconferencing stations created by Adam Lobelson of Chroma Designs (who is also filming the Nutcracker this year), students have been able to Zoom into rehearsals with state-of-the-art technology to include computers, audio speakers, webcams, Bluetooth devices and headsets, all supporting the best possible version of parallel hybrid learning.
Funding was provided in part by the Goldstone Family Foundation.
Jennifer Bloechle, parent to two RCD dancers, told Piantaggini “I appreciate all that you and your staff have done for these kids - thank you again for the virtual option, it’s been a godsend when having to remain home!”
Limited availability for in-person socially distanced seating available for the December 12 and 13 Nutcracker production at Ridgefield Playhouse Please call the Playhouse at (203) 438-5795. Following the production, the show will be available for at-home digital screening.
