The story of Clara or Marie and the Nutcracker is a well-known holiday story about a girl who is attacked by a Mouse King on Christmas Eve, then is rescued by the Nutcracker and taken to the magical Land of Sweets. This innovative version of “The Nutcracker” takes on a very different approach than the traditional version, modifying both the score and traditional Petipa choreography. In the 1996 “Harlem Nutcracker,” Clara is not a young girl but a grandmother in Harlem with her grandchildren. This version of the classical ballet combines jazz, modern and ballet-style choreography to highlight the unique American setting and reinterprets the famous story for a new meaning such as the history of the civil rights movement and family bonds.
While these are a just few examples of the new perspectives being shared through ballet, these are great examples of a celebration of culture and heritage through ballet. Through the movements towards reinterpreting classic ballet stories, modern audiences are given a chance to see these timeless stories from a new perspective, relate to the characters or learn something new through these traditional ballets. Because of these innovations, the ballet world can continue to evolve with new ideas and authentic personal expressions through ballet and its classic stories.
The College of Arts and Media at Grand Canyon University is a Bachelor of Arts in Dance. Graduates will emerge with marketable dance skills and an advanced sense of artistry and design.