FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 19, 2024
Ballet Jörgen brings The Nutcracker: A Canadian Tradition across Ontario and Saskatchewan.
“I love that this ‘Nutcracker’ is set in Ontario and is connected to the heart of our attachment to the land on which we live. It brings together the human attachment to tradition with the natural world’s consistent presence around us…There is a story that is more than just a thin thread, so you feel the show rather than just watch a beautiful display… If we don’t go to these places, they won’t get to experience professional dance,” said Iveson. “We are the only ones touring dance in this way. We bring our community to your community, and we create shared experiences.” – Gary Smith Interview with Jörgen Dance Academy Director, Clea Iveson, The Hamilton Spectator.
Ontario & Saskatchewan: Ballet Jörgen will bring its critically praised production The Nutcracker: A Canadian Tradition across Ontario and Saskatchewan in November and December 2024.
Wednesday, November. 20, Brantford, ON at 7pm
Saturday, November. 23, Huntsville, ON at 2pm & 7:30pm – SOLD OUT
Thursday, November. 28, Regina, SK at 7:30pm
Saturday, November. 30, Saskatoon, SK at 2pm
Thursday, December. 5, Keswick, ON at 7pm
Saturday, December. 7, Hamilton, ON at 2pm
Wednesday, December. 11, Peterborough, ON at 7:30pm
Friday, December. 13, Ottawa, ON at 7pm
Saturday, December. 14, Ottawa, ON at 1pm & 4:30pm
Tuesday, December. 17, Brampton, ON at 7pm
Wednesday, December. 18, Brampton ON (Exclusive School Performance)
Thursday, December. 19, Guelph, ON at 7:30pm
Friday, December. 20, Guelph, ON at 7:30pm
Sunday, December. 22, London, ON at 3pm
Saturday, December. 28, Kitchener – Waterloo, ON at 1pm & 5pm
Monday, December. 30, Markham, ON at 2pm & 7pm
Tuesday, December. 31, Markham, ON at 11am & 3pm
Choreographed by Artistic Director Bengt Jörgen, The Nutcracker: A Canadian Tradition was created in partnership with the McMichael Canadian Art Collection featuring dramatic 30-foot backdrops based on landscapes by famous 20th-century Canadian artists including Tom Thomson and Franklin Carmichael.
The performance will feature 10 to 14 talented young dancers from local dance schools, all taking part in the Company’s Local Participant Program. These dancers were carefully selected through an audition process and have been rehearsing weekly since mid-September. In addition, a touring cast of youth dancers, representing communities across Ontario and Saskatchewan, will also be performing. Many of these young artists began their journey as Local Participants before advancing to the touring cast through further auditions.
“As always, our experience with Ballet Jörgen was amazing. Thank you so much for the care and detail you put into the LP Nutcracker program- [my daughter] had a wonderful time dancing!!!”
– Local Participant Parent
The November 28 and 30 performances in Saskatchewan will also include Zoë Kindrachuk. Originally from Saskatoon, Zoë is a part of George Brown Dance’s 2025 graduating class. They first performed with the Company as a Local Participant in the Saskatoon performances of Romeo & Juliet, Anne of Green Gables – The Ballet® and The Nutcracker. They have also participated in the Company’s summer intensives throughout the years.
“I enjoyed my experience performing as a Squirrel with Jörgen Dance in the Nutcracker. I got to meet so many new friends who also love to perform. It was exciting to get to collaborate with students from other studios.It was so inspiring to be on stage with professional dancers. Getting to watch them dance up close was incredible and getting to dance alongside them was even more awesome.Everyone involved in the performance was so supportive of one another, and I learned so much from everyone. Many families enjoy watching the Nutcracker during the holidays and it felt special to be part of that tradition.” – Local Participant, London, ON
Ballet Jörgen is committed to making the arts accessible to all Canadians and has been programming dance across Canada since 1987. The Nutcracker: A Canadian Tradition is in part made possible with support from National Presenting Partner BMO Financial Group, with touring support from the Ontario Arts Council, and additional support from the Azrieli Foundation and Ballet Jörgen donors. Ontario Programming is made possible with support from The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation and The Charles H. Ivey Foundation. Saskatchewan Programming is made possible with support from Richardson Foundation. Western Local Participant Program is made possible with support from Scotiabank. The Apprentice Program is made possible by RBC Foundation.
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Ongoing critical support is provided by The Ontario Arts Council, The Canada Council for the Arts and Toronto Arts Council.
About Jörgen Dance
For 35 years Jörgen Dance has brought the joy of dance to countless individuals, families, and communities across Canada and beyond. While we are firmly rooted in our history as an exceptional professional ballet company, we have grown to be so much more! Today we offer a wide range of training and community programs across many dance styles to ensure dance is truly accessible for all Canadians. Whether you are looking to attend a performance, learn to dance, or engage with the arts for the first time; there is something for you under the Jörgen Dance umbrella. You will be welcomed, educated, entertained, and be a respected member of our in-person and virtual community. As an organization we genuinely believe in our motto Dance for All. Ballet Jörgen is the 2011 winner of The National Arts Centre Award for Distinguished Contribution to Touring – the first Ontario Performing Arts Organization to win this award.
For more information, photos, and/or to request an interview, contact:
Casey Spector, casey@balletjorgen.ca 416-961-4725