A brand new classic

Dainty tutus wrapped around tiny waists, faded pink pointe shoes nearly black on the toes and bodies lithe from years of practice will all be a part of an IU tradition this weekend, now in its 48th year.\nIt might be performed all over the world, but this weekend's performances of the "The Nutcracker" presented by the IU Ballet Theater aim to be fresh and entertaining for an audience that attends the classic each year.\n"It's like a holiday tradition," senior dancer Lauren Fadeley said of the production that will begin at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Musical Arts Center. "A lot of times this is the first ballet people ever see." \nJacques Cesbron, a Jacobs School of Music professor, has choreographed IU's version of "The Nutcracker" since 1998. The ballet tells the story of a young girl who receives a nutcracker as a gift from her grandfather on Christmas Eve. When she falls asleep embracing the wooden figurine, she has a magical dream of dancing snowflakes and a sugar plum fairy.\nA rehearsal Wednesday afternoon found Cesbron, a full gallon jug of water in hand, instructing the strong but tiny men and women of IU's ballet program. After 8 years, Cesbron still shows youthful enthusiasm for the ballet he's created, which contains original choreography. The story and the music are the only parts of "The Nutcracker" that are carried from ballet to ballet.\n"It's all my creation, my invention," he said. "We have different choreography everywhere. It's made for them."\n"Them" includes more than 40 ballet majors, all of whom are used in the production by double casting roles in case someone is sick or injured the day of the show.\nAfter rehearsing more than six hours a day for nearly six weeks, the dancers are ready for the four productions they must perform in just one weekend. To accomplish this, dancers are cast for multiple roles in different productions. \nIU senior Catherine Wolfson, who plays the part of Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy, said her role as the Sugar Plum Fairy is one of the most technically challenging roles. \n"Stamina-wise it's like running a mini-marathon," she said. "It's really special to me because I've always wanted to do Sugar Plum ever since I was a little girl."\nYet Wolfson refused to brag about her role for too long, noting that all "The Nutcracker" roles are essential to a successful production.\nKeeping fresh a ballet that's been performed internationally for so many years can be difficult, but IU's Ballet Theater has pulled it off flawlessly before and intends to do it again. \n"The university situation is very special because there's a changeover constantly," ballet department chairman Michael Vernon said. "Having this constant influx of dancers means there's a constant change, and that's what keeps it fresh."\nAfter the long weeks of rehearsals, ballet dancers are often tired and injured when performing in the final production.\n"There's not a day I wake up that something doesn't hurt," Wolfson said. \nYet mental strength and the love of the art of ballet keep dancers going, she said.\n"There's mornings I wake up and I think about how many people would love to do what I'm doing," Wolfson said. "I feel blessed and lucky."\nThough many of the dancers said they hope their experience will help them become better when joining professional companies in the future, dancers like Fadeley and freshman Ben Delony said one of the best parts of "The Nutcracker" is being looked up to by the children who also dance in the ballet with them for select scenes.\n"It's that next generation looking up to us," said Delony, who will be performing four different roles in just one production. \nVernon agreed that children often look to "The Nutcracker" for ballet inspiration.\n"I think every little girl wants to be the Sugar Plum Fairy," he said. "I think 'The Nutcracker' has inspired a lot of young girls to become dancers."\nSophomore Thomas Penman plays Fritz, Clara's brother. He said he most likes being able to influence young children seeing "The Nutcracker" for the first time. \n"Every performance is an opportunity for a child to experience dance," he said.\nTickets for "The Nutcracker" can still be purchased at the MAC box office for $18 to $35.