Greensboro’s many traditions have been the cornerstone of holiday celebrations for its citizens through the years, though 2020 has certainly changed the ways many of them are celebrated. One of the most elaborate and beloved traditions, the Greensboro Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker, has taken a creative turn out of a belief that, even amid a pandemic, the show must go on.
Over the summer, it was clear to Jennifer Gentry, executive director of the Greensboro Ballet, that the chances of a live performance of The Nutcracker were low. Nonetheless, it was important to her and the rest of the Greensboro Ballet that the dancers were able to get back into the studio in some capacity. “A lot of dancers were falling away… this is their art form, this is their way of expressing themselves, and a lot of them were getting depressed… not getting to do what they normally do,” Gentry expressed. Virtual dance lessons were difficult, but the only option. While they were anxious to get kids back into the studio, the only thing the Greensboro Ballet could do was wait and see what the governor decided.
The idea to do a drive-in version of The Nutcracker came in part from Gentry’s daughter visiting the Eden Drive-In over the summer. If it wouldn’t be safe to see The Nutcracker performed in person, a filmed version of the ballet would keep the event special while following COVID restrictions. The Greensboro Ballet began discussing the possibility of a professionally filmed performance with the Carolina Theatre over the summer. Due to the production’s tradition of performing at the Carolina Theatre, it seemed only fitting that the ballet was filmed there, too. A well-known Greensboro filmmaker Paul Byun agreed to help turn The Nutcracker into a safe virtual performance. “I actually just saw the first edit of the opening. It’s fantastic,” Gentry interjected. The introduction to the performance is a drone shot of a couple entering the empty Theatre, handing their tickets to an usher, and sitting down to watch the show. The film emphasizes the tradition The Nutcracker has been to Greensboro and strives to make the viewer feel as if they’re really at the Theatre as usual, rather than watching from the safety of their cars.
While filming was a delight for dancers and coordinators alike, it wasn’t easy. Rigorous precautions were followed, and Gentry assured that every dancer, crewmember, and volunteer was masked at all times. In addition, filming was broken up over four days and focused on several scenes at a time rather than a full run-through of the ballet. It was a difficult process, but they tried to make light of the situation by inserting pandemic-inspired jokes throughout the ballet.
Despite the restrictions, filming was a joyous experience. Not only were the dancers actually getting to dance, but the Theatre crew was able to do a job they love. Gentry reflected on how great it was to give artists jobs and an income during uncertain times, including guest dancers from across the state and the country. “Seeing the joy of people getting to do what they love most has been the best part,” she says. She’s also excited to bring joy to the community through the screening of The Nutcracker by giving people a way to safely get out of the house as well as something to look forward to. The Greensboro Ballet is encouraging people to dress up and get takeout before going to the performance as they would usually do, or to do the complete opposite and attend in their favorite holiday pajamas.
The drive-in will be a family-friendly, safe experience that Gentry hopes will bring the community together while keeping them safe. Careful restrictions on patrons include not being allowed to leave their car except to use the restroom or to buy concessions, as well as the use of an outdoor amphiTheatre to screen the filmed performance. The Ballet is also serving the community through this performance by accepting canned or boxed goods from patrons for a different charity at each screening. Those charities include BackPack Beginnings, Out of the Garden Project, Urban Ministry, and A Simple Gesture. In addition, they’re making the video accessible to senior citizen homes throughout the city. “They’ve had it the worst, they haven’t been able to see their families,” Gentry said. “These folks tend to be isolated already, so we thought this would be fun for them to see their own local production.” She hopes that the homes will treat the senior citizens to hot cocoa or cookies to make it a special event.
The Nutcracker will be screening at the Greensboro Coliseum from December 18th through December 20th at various matinee and regular showings for the price of $60 per car. To purchase tickets and read about the safety measures put in place, visit http://www.greensboroballet.org/the-nutcracker.
Cover Image by MaryAnne Luedtke, used with permission by The Greensboro Ballet.
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