Sacramento Bee: Sacramento Ballet presents groundbreaking ‘Nutcracker’ with modern values and themes

BY KAMERON SCHMID

13 December 2019

Ranking among the most well-known ballets today, “The Nutcracker,” first performed in 1892 and popularized in America in the 1960s, is a holiday ritual for many dance companies and families alike.

But for the second year in a row, Sacramento Ballet is presenting a take on the Christmas classic that offers everything expected of the yearly tradition while making changes to reflect more modern values and themes.

Sacramento Ballet Artistic Director Amy Seiwert, who choreographed the company’s interpretation of the ballet for its first performance last year, approached the opportunity to choreograph The Nutcracker with deep knowledge of the show. Seiwert performed in two different versions in her 19-year career as a dancer.

“It was very important for me to add my own voice to the canon and not just mix up (previous versions),” Seiwert said.

…

Seiwert is one of the most prominent female ballet directors and choreographers in the nation. As she points out, there aren’t many to begin with.

Her production of The Nutcracker was the only full-length world premiere created by a woman for the 2018-2019 season in the country, according to the Dance Data Project.

“There is a serious lack of women creating ballet,” Seiwert said. “There’s starting to be a shift in that dynamic. I don’t think it’s because women can’t choreograph ballet, it usually has to do with opportunity.”

Read the full article in The Sacramento Bee.