Katie Walsh rehearses as one of the three Little Clara’s for this weekend’s performance of “The Nutcracker.” Photo by Carol Feil

Kevin Trueblood as Drosselmeyer rehearses with the party guest girls at Civic Dance Center for this weekend’s performance of “The Nutcracker.” Photo by Carol Feil

Becca Green and Mason Trueblood dance as Dream Clara and the Prince in the 2008 performance of “The Nutcracker” by Civic Dance Center. Photo by Carol Feil

Tara Shearer portrays the Wind Up Doll in the party scene from the 2008 performance of “The Nutcracker.” Photo by Carol Feil

By Lisa Pinson

Most everyone has a special Christmas tradition. For one group of dedicated dancers and musicians, it’s performing Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker.” For the 32nd year, Civic Dance Center and the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra are partnering up for their traditional performance Dec. 11, 12 and 13.

As early as September, student dancers with Bakersfield’s Civic Dance Center have sugar plum fairies on their minds. During this time, dancers are already auditioning and rehearsing for the annual performance.

Sixteen-year-old Becca Green has performed in “The Nutcracker” for 11 years.  She says she has portrayed nearly every character, from a beginner bonbon to the lead of Marie Clara.

Green has her sights on auditioning to a number of dance schools within the following year. In the meantime, however, she is content with the opportunities that Civic Dance Center has provided her.

When asked why she returns year after year, she said, “This year I have a new part, and that has made all the difference. Because I already know the dance, I’ve been able to correct a lot of things about it.”

David Moreno has been dancing for a total of 15 years; three of which included Nutcracker performances. He has even pursued a career in dance in Los Angeles. He has since moved back to Bakersfield to go to school in the hopes of someday becoming a surgeon. Although it may seem like a strange transition, Moreno says, “Dancers can do anything. Everything within dance is muscle memory, and in school, it’s all about memory and memorizing things.”

This year, Moreno will be playing the role of the prince, a departure from his earlier years playing Russian performers.

To Moreno, pursuing “The Nutcracker” is natural and practical. “I love dance; I’ll never quit,” he said.

Samantha Palmer, who returned to Bakersfield after attending UC Irvine, is continuing her ritual of performing in “The Nutcracker,” a tradition that she has practiced since she was five years old.  After playing the soldier in her first Nutcracker, Palmer will enchant audiences as the snow queen.  In this role, Palmer will cause a disastrous snowstorm.

As a long-time dancer, Palmer says Civic Dance Center “has always been the art/cultural center of this town. We’ve really helped develop the appreciation of dance in this town. I think it’s great we have the opportunity to perform ‘The Nutcracker’ with the symphony. That draws even more people to come watch who … might just want to listen to the symphony.”

The symphony is a tremendous contribution for “The Nutcracker.” While many performances of the ballet use recorded music, Civic Dance Center has steadily teamed up with the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra since the start.

Mary Moore, who has played the clarinet for all of the series’ 32 years, elaborates. “A lot of (the symphonies) have gone to canned music because it’s cheaper, but it takes some of the sparkle out of it.”

Civic Dance Center Director Cindy Trueblood has also found that the live music “goes right to the soul.”

Victoria Ornalez as Rose dances with the Flower Corps in the 2008 performance of “The Nutcracker.” Photo by Carol Feil

“I am completely impressed by the dancers performing with a live orchestra,” she said. “It is financially impossible for most schools to work with symphonies. We are one of the few left who can work with a live orchestra, besides San Francisco Ballet Company or other big name companies.”

According to Trueblood, the production is made possible due to community support and ticket sales. “For the community to support us for 32 years, that says a lot for Bakersfield.”

Trueblood, alongside her husband Kevin, have been passionately involved with instructing dance for quite some time. She is content with the product that both Civic Dance Center and the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra have created.

“I think that ‘The Nutcracker’ is beautiful to hear. People that come to see it come from out of town. They are so attracted that there is something of this caliber in Bakersfield.”

Violinist Rebecca Brooks has noticed the effects that young dancers have on audiences as she compares Bakersfield’s performances to professional productions shown on television. “It’s not so cold and polished as a professional group … With the younger kids, it adds a great charm.”

Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker is at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11 and Saturday, Dec. 12. Matinee performances are at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12 and Sunday, Dec. 13. Performances are at the Rabobank Theater, 1001 Truxtun Ave. Tickets are $32 general, $16 students, and free for children six and under. For information and tickets, call 323-7928 or visit www.bakersfieldsymphony.org.