For those who haven’t gotten their fill of holiday-themed productions, Step it up Productions offers a different take on “The Nutcracker.” About 100 dancers will appear in “A Familiar Suite” at 4 and 7 p.m. on Dec. 13 at Cornwall High School.
“The beauty of a tradition is people look forward to the same show,” said director Ronda Barber. “It’s always new because there are always new dancers in new parts. For those people who come back to see it with a new dancer in that lead, it’s going to look different. Once we get that new dancer in that lead part, we do choreography according to that specific dancer, so it may change up a little bit. The storyline still stays the same.”
The production also differs in that the traditional “Nutcracker” is all ballet. “A Familiar Suite” features various techniques including jazz, tap, modern, hip-hop, point, as well as ballet. Barber said this allows more students to participate because they don’t just take dance classes in ballet.
“That’s the way I wanted it from the beginning,” said Barber, noting the production started in 2005. “I like a diverse company. Most of the students take every technique. They know how to do a lot of these dances. As they grow and get better and better, they look forward to performing other dances.”
Casting started on Sept. 21 with open auditions. Dancers from Step by Step Dance Studio, as well as those from 10 other local studios, were invited to audition.
Everyone who tried out got a part. During casting, dancers audition for technique and then are awarded a part based on that style of dance.
Six choreographers were brought on board, each focusing on a different technique. Rehearsals were held separately.
The entire cast gathers for two major dress rehearsals before each show on Saturday. Each show will feature a different cast.
Tickets are available at Step it up Dance Productions, 237 Hudson St., Cornwall-on-Hudson, and will also be sold at the door the night of the performance.
