Southwest Washington Dance Center's 'Nutcracker' Performance Continues to Evolve

For dancers at the Southwest Washington Dance Center, the season to be merry starts before Christmas. It starts before Thanksgiving or Halloween. Heck, for some of them it starts before Labor Day. 

But certainly, this time of year, their hearts and minds are turned toward one thing.

“It’s not Christmas season, it’s Nutcracker season,” said Sophie Moerke, 16, who will be dancing the part of a member of the Arabian corps in her 10th appearance in “The Nutcracker.”

Southwest Washington Dance Center’s production of “The Nutcracker” debuts Dec. 14-16 at Corbet Theatre on the Centralia College campus. This is the 23rd production of the classic Christmas tale featuring the story of Clara and her nutcracker prince and their fantastic journey to a fairytale land for the Chehalis dance studio. It is also the biggest production of the year for the dance center, with more than 100 dancers taking part. Some of the dancers in principal roles begin preparing for their performances in July and August, and for every dancer, a part in the production means long hours of rehearsals. Isabel Langhaim, who along with Katelynn Guenther will dance the role of Clara, said despite the work involved, it is a holiday tradition that is much anticipated by dancers.

“I love spending time with the other dancers and doing big shows,” Langhaim said. “This brings everybody together. I always get really excited for it.”

And while the tale set to Tchaikovsky music may be a holiday classic, the local rendition is an ever-changing experience. David March, 15, an Arabian understudy, said he has been around “The Nutcracker” for many years because his older sister has been a dancer and said the variety is what makes it an entertaining show.

“Every year they change it, so it’s interesting to see the different changes they make,” he said.

Some of the changes this year include different vision for the Mirliton scene, new costumes for the Harlequin and Sugarplum Fairy as well as the addition to the choreographers of dance center teacher Tabitha Dennison, who will choreograph the Russia scene.

But the most anticipated change to this year’s performance will be a new scene featuring giant, dancing toys, said Artistic Director Danielle Brosco. Brosco said the idea for this year’s scene came to her two years ago when she also dreamed up the new beginning sequence with a pond, ice skaters and carolers.

“What I wanted to do with that was create a living Christmas card,” Brosco said.

Brosco said choreographing an entirely new scene is so much work that she had to wait to bring this year’s new scene to life. She said she turned to local artists Christina Witchey, Jen Hoinowski and Stephanie Redden, as well as costumer Wendy Hill, to create help her bring her idea to the stage.

“I brought toys and sketches to them as prototypes and they brought my vision to fruition,” Brosco said. “I don’t want to give away too much but when you see it, you’re going to say ‘oh my gosh!’”

If You Go…

What: Southwest Washington Dance Center Presents “The Nutcracker”

When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14-15, 2 p.m. Dec. 15 and 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Dec. 16

Where: Corbet Theatre in Washington Hall on the Centralia College campus

Tickets: $16 kids ages 18 and younger, military & senior and $24 adults. For the 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, show only, purchase four tickets get the fifth free. Also, call for special pricing for groups of 10 or more.

Tickets can be purchased online at swwdance.org/nutcracker; at the dance center, 437 N. Market Blvd. in Chehalis from 2-7 p.m. Monday through Friday; at through the Corbet Theatre box office 1-8 p.m. Monday through Friday starting Dec. 10; and at the door prior to performances when available. Advanced ticket purchase is strongly suggested as some performances sell out.

Info: www.swwdance.org