RAPID CITY, S.D. – A classic holiday tradition returns to Rapid City this Friday and Saturday as the Black Hills Dance Theatre presents “The Nutcracker” at The Monument.
This year’s production features the largest ensemble in the organization’s history. 160 total cast members according to Artistic Director and Choreographer Mauro Villanueva.
“We have the biggest cast that Black Hills Dance Theater has ever had participate in The Nutcracker, which is very exciting,” Villanueva said. “That means we have a lot of large groups dancing on stage to make sure that everyone gets a chance to be on stage.”
Villanueva, who is based in San Antonio, Texas, also directs a summer program through the Joffrey Ballet School in Dallas. He noted that the production in Rapid City allows him to merge artistic creation with teaching.
“What excites me is that I get to combine choreography with education,” Villanueva said. “So as we’ve been practicing our steps, we’ve also been working on the foundational elements that lead to improved delivery of the steps.”
This educational approach has resonated with the cast, particularly the male dancers. Barrett Hermanson, who is performing as the Nutcracker Doll in his first year with the production, appreciated the specific guidance provided by the director.
“He drops in a lot of technique in between rehearsals and he will talk to us personally about it,” said fourth-year veteran Henry Olivier regarding Villanueva.
First year Barrett Hermenson continued, “It’s nice to be able to learn from another male dancer who knows how male dancers dance.” For Hermanson, performing in the Fine Arts Theatre offers a shift in perspective.
“Being able to perform in a different environment is just not something I’ve done before,” Hermanson said. “It’s completely different from a competition.”
The role of the Nutcracker is unique this season as it transforms from the Doll to the Prince, with the duties shared between Hermanson and Olivier.
“It’s the first year where there have been split roles and I’m really enjoying that,” Olivier said. “It’s a lot of fun.”
Set to the music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the ballet tells the story of young Clara Stahlbaum, who receives a Nutcracker from her godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer, on Christmas Eve. The production follows their journey through a battle with the Mouse Queen, a waltz with the Snow Queen, and a visit to the Land of Sweets.
The cast features Claire Hock as Clara, Annie Folsland as Young Clara, Vianca Edmee Palacios as the Sugar Plum Fairy, Zach Bennett as the Cavalier, and Camryn Hillard as the Snow Queen.
For Villanueva, spending the holiday week in Rapid City, South Dakota, to prepare for the show is a return to a professional norm.
“It’s great. As a professional dancer, I often spent Thanksgiving in the holidays away from my family,” Villanueva said. “So this feels familiar.”
Following the performances at The Monument, Villanueva plans to return to Texas to spend time with his family for the holidays and prepare a new production of “The Firebird.”
“The Nutcracker” takes the stage at the Fine Arts Theatre at The Monument this Friday at 7pm and Saturday at 2pm. Tickets available at: https://www.themonument.live/events/detail/nutcracker25
