| February 4, 2007 |
The Nutcracker Unveiled
Preparations start months ahead — as early as the beginning of October the Ballet is auditioning children and starting rehearsals. In November, advertising begins (remember those great posters?) and tickets go on sale. November is also when the Ballet recruits and schedules the volunteers who will assist them with any special events, and who help out in the lobby handing out programs and candy canes. On the production side of a show like this, there is some comfort in tradition — the Jubilee Auditorium technical staff, Edmonton-based IATSE crews and the Ballet all know what to expect and what is needed. "Load-in" (this is theatre talk for the day that the set and costumes arrive) scheduling is set months in advance. The equivalent to a rider — the documentation which details requirements backstage for any performance — is made available to Jubilee staff three or four weeks in advance of opening night. In the week before the opening night, the entire Ballet is a flurry of activity — there is usually a last-minute advertising campaign, the final details need to be sent to the caterers (this for food both at events and for the performers and crew backstage), dress rehearsals, media events — these are the busiest days behind the scenes for any show!
In addition to adding a sprung floor to our stage, the dancers require that the house and all backstage areas be set at a higher temperature than usual to keep them warm and injury-free. Specific to this production, the Ballet needs a room for all of the children in the cast. For all ballets, there are physiotherapists installed in the Green Room backstage for last-minute treatments and advice for dancers. For The Nutcracker the Ballet uses the same costumes every year and fits them to the new dancers — they have two or three of everything to accommodate the variety of dancers each year. These costumes are an art form in and of themselves, requiring special training to design and build. The result is very expensive; the Sugar Plum Fairy’s tutu alone is worth about $1,500 — and Alberta Ballet has three of them. Once you know all of these details, it is quite a remarkable thing that The Nutcracker comes to life so seamlessly every year. The Alberta Ballet gives us such a wonderful holiday gift. Information provided by Jennifer Faulkner The Curtain Rises — Again and AgainIn 1957 when the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium first opened its doors, it was, much like now, opening its doors to the people of Alberta. From the beginning, the Auditorium was home Maybe you were here the first time B.B. King graced our stage. His reputation for generosity and poise is widespread both backstage and in our front of house. How late did he stay signing autographs the night you saw him? Or maybe your grandparents We consider the Edmonton Opera Association and the Alberta Ballet The Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium has indeed seen some of the best talent in the world. As we look back on a remarkable 50 years on our stage, there is great excitement, too. There are at least 50 more years of world-class productions being offered to the people of Northern Alberta. One Size Fits All
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For those of you who have seen The Nutcracker, you know that it is a huge show — big sets, large cast, and countless costumes. Additionally, it is a holiday tradition for many Edmonton families; expectations are high! Alberta Ballet does a tremendous job of meeting those expectations head-on. This month, as Alberta Ballet prepares to knock our socks off with 
Two days before the curtain goes up the dancers arrive in town and the technical staff completes setting up the house. The Auditorium needs to install a sprung dance floor over our usual stage floor to minimize injuries to dancers. All lights are hung and focused at this point, and the final structures are put in place for the set. Dancers are rehearsing on stage. The final dress rehearsal happens with the Orchestra on the day before opening night. This is especially important to all of the Ballet students for whom this is the first experience in front of a live audience.
to a variety of groups — University Convocation was held here in 1957 just as it will be in 2007 (though they have taken a few years off in-between), and in 1959 pianist Glenn Gould wowed our audiences. If you saw Gordon Lightfoot in 2006, did you realize that he first played the Jubilee in 1967? Over time, our reputation as a world-class facility has solidified itself. The pride we take in bringing the best to the people of Alberta is evident throughout our 50-year history. Think back — what was your first show at “The Jube"?
still talk about Louis Armstrong. Or did someone you know perform with Edmonton’s Ukrainian Shumka Dancers, or in Love According to John, an Alberta Lyric Theatre production? Both of these companies have been performing on our stage for decades. The Edmonton Symphony Society and the Edmonton Light Opera Company were among our first resident companies. We have had so many grand productions it is hard to keep track. In the interest of sparking fond memories, here is a partial list: The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Miss Saigon, Les Misèrables, Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Which was your favorite? 
part of our family — as we should; both groups first performed here 40 years ago in 1966! The Opera opened with La Bohème and the Ballet with Christmas Fantasy. We have enjoyed our partnerships with them tremendously. 
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Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium | Phone: (780) 427-2760 | Fax: (780) 422-3750
Ticketmaster | Phone: (780) 451-8000