PHOTOS: Atlanta Ballet's 'The Nutcracker'

Atlanta Living & Arts

PHOTOS: Atlanta Ballet's 'The Nutcracker' — Behind the Scenes

AJC Community Conversations with the Atlanta Ballet gives us a behind-the-scenes look at "The Nutcracker."

Dec. 3, 2020 Atlanta - Dominique Morel (role as Flower) poses during an interview with AJC film crew at Atlanta Ballet's Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre in Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. For generations, Atlantans have celebrated the season in the company of the magical fairies, toys and battling rats of "The Nutcracker." The pandemic made a live performance of this venerable show impossible. But, said the Atlanta Ballet's artistic director Gennadi Nedvigin, "We knew that this tradition has to stay alive. We tried to find a virtual way; how we can stay here with our audience and create some joy for the season?" (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Dec. 3, 2020 Atlanta - Huiwen Peng (role as Snow) poses during an interview with AJC film crew at Atlanta Ballet's Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre in Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. For generations, Atlantans have celebrated the season in the company of the magical fairies, toys and battling rats of "The Nutcracker." The pandemic made a live performance of this venerable show impossible. But, said the Atlanta Ballet's artistic director Gennadi Nedvigin, "We knew that this tradition has to stay alive. We tried to find a virtual way; how we can stay here with our audience and create some joy for the season?" (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Dec. 3, 2020 Atlanta - Dancers from The Nutcracker (from left) Huiwen Peng (role as Snow), Kaitlin Roemer (role as Gossip Girl), Georgie Grace Butler (role as Maid) and Dominique Morel (role as Flower) pose during an interview with AJC film crew at Atlanta Ballet's Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre in Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. For generations, Atlantans have celebrated the season in the company of the magical fairies, toys and battling rats of "The Nutcracker." The pandemic made a live performance of this venerable show impossible. But, said the Atlanta Ballet's artistic director Gennadi Nedvigin, "We knew that this tradition has to stay alive. We tried to find a virtual way; how we can stay here with our audience and create some joy for the season?" (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Dec. 3, 2020 Atlanta - Colleen McGonegle (right), Costume Director, helps Dominique Morel (role as Flower) during an interview with AJC film crew at Atlanta Ballet's Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre in Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. For generations, Atlantans have celebrated the season in the company of the magical fairies, toys and battling rats of "The Nutcracker." The pandemic made a live performance of this venerable show impossible. But, said the Atlanta Ballet's artistic director Gennadi Nedvigin, "We knew that this tradition has to stay alive. We tried to find a virtual way; how we can stay here with our audience and create some joy for the season?" (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Dec. 3, 2020 Atlanta - AJC feature reporter Bo Emerson interviews dancers from The Nutcracker (from left) Huiwen Peng (role as Snow), Kaitlin Roemer (role as Gossip Girl), Georgie Grace Butler (role as Maid) and Dominique Morel (role as Flower) pose during an interview with AJC film crew at Atlanta Ballet's Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre in Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. For generations, Atlantans have celebrated the season in the company of the magical fairies, toys and battling rats of "The Nutcracker." The pandemic made a live performance of this venerable show impossible. But, said the Atlanta Ballet's artistic director Gennadi Nedvigin, "We knew that this tradition has to stay alive. We tried to find a virtual way; how we can stay here with our audience and create some joy for the season?" (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Dec. 3, 2020 Atlanta - Colleen McGonegle (right), Costume Director, explains costume Dominique Morel is wearing during an interview with AJC film crew at Atlanta Ballet's Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre in Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. For generations, Atlantans have celebrated the season in the company of the magical fairies, toys and battling rats of "The Nutcracker." The pandemic made a live performance of this venerable show impossible. But, said the Atlanta Ballet's artistic director Gennadi Nedvigin, "We knew that this tradition has to stay alive. We tried to find a virtual way; how we can stay here with our audience and create some joy for the season?" (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Dec. 3, 2020 Atlanta - Abby Parker, Costume Technician & Company Shoe Manager, works on custumes at Atlanta Ballet's Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre in Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. For generations, Atlantans have celebrated the season in the company of the magical fairies, toys and battling rats of "The Nutcracker." The pandemic made a live performance of this venerable show impossible. But, said the Atlanta Ballet's artistic director Gennadi Nedvigin, "We knew that this tradition has to stay alive. We tried to find a virtual way; how we can stay here with our audience and create some joy for the season?" (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Dec. 3, 2020 Atlanta - Kaitlin Roemer (second from right) helps fellow dancer Huiwen Peng (right) with putting an accessory at Atlanta Ballet's Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre in Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. For generations, Atlantans have celebrated the season in the company of the magical fairies, toys and battling rats of “The Nutcracker.” The pandemic made a live performance of this venerable show impossible. But, said the Atlanta Ballet’s artistic director Gennadi Nedvigin, “We knew that this tradition has to stay alive. We tried to find a virtual way; how we can stay here with our audience and create some joy for the season?” (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Dec. 3, 2020 Atlanta - Dancers from The Nutcracker wait in hallway at Atlanta Ballet's Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre in Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. For generations, Atlantans have celebrated the season in the company of the magical fairies, toys and battling rats of "The Nutcracker." The pandemic made a live performance of this venerable show impossible. But, said the Atlanta Ballet's artistic director Gennadi Nedvigin, "We knew that this tradition has to stay alive. We tried to find a virtual way; how we can stay here with our audience and create some joy for the season?" (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Dec. 3, 2020 Atlanta - Georgie Grace Butler (role as Maid) poses during an interview with AJC film crew at Atlanta Ballet's Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre in Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. For generations, Atlantans have celebrated the season in the company of the magical fairies, toys and battling rats of "The Nutcracker." The pandemic made a live performance of this venerable show impossible. But, said the Atlanta Ballet's artistic director Gennadi Nedvigin, "We knew that this tradition has to stay alive. We tried to find a virtual way; how we can stay here with our audience and create some joy for the season?" (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Dec. 3, 2020 Atlanta - Colleen McGonegle (left), Costume Director, helps dancers Dominique Morel (center) and Huiwen Peng (right) at Atlanta Ballet's Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre in Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. For generations, Atlantans have celebrated the season in the company of the magical fairies, toys and battling rats of “The Nutcracker.” The pandemic made a live performance of this venerable show impossible. But, said the Atlanta Ballet’s artistic director Gennadi Nedvigin, “We knew that this tradition has to stay alive. We tried to find a virtual way; how we can stay here with our audience and create some joy for the season?” (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Dec. 3, 2020 Atlanta - Abigail Dupree Polston, costume pattern maker, works on costumes at costume room at Atlanta Ballet's Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre in Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. For generations, Atlantans have celebrated the season in the company of the magical fairies, toys and battling rats of "The Nutcracker." The pandemic made a live performance of this venerable show impossible. But, said the Atlanta Ballet's artistic director Gennadi Nedvigin, "We knew that this tradition has to stay alive. We tried to find a virtual way; how we can stay here with our audience and create some joy for the season?" (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Dec. 3, 2020 Atlanta - Colleen McGonegle (right), Costume Director, helps Georgie Grace Butler, dancer, with her costume at Atlanta Ballet's Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre in Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. For generations, Atlantans have celebrated the season in the company of the magical fairies, toys and battling rats of "The Nutcracker." The pandemic made a live performance of this venerable show impossible. But, said the Atlanta Ballet's artistic director Gennadi Nedvigin, "We knew that this tradition has to stay alive. We tried to find a virtual way; how we can stay here with our audience and create some joy for the season?" (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Dec. 3, 2020 Atlanta - Kaitlin Roemer (role as Gossip Girl), poses during an interview with AJC film crew at Atlanta Ballet's Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre in Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. For generations, Atlantans have celebrated the season in the company of the magical fairies, toys and battling rats of "The Nutcracker." The pandemic made a live performance of this venerable show impossible. But, said the Atlanta Ballet's artistic director Gennadi Nedvigin, "We knew that this tradition has to stay alive. We tried to find a virtual way; how we can stay here with our audience and create some joy for the season?" (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Dec. 3, 2020 Atlanta - Dancers Dominique Morel (foreground) and Huiwen Peng walk back to studio after they put on costumes at Atlanta Ballet's Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre in Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. For generations, Atlantans have celebrated the season in the company of the magical fairies, toys and battling rats of "The Nutcracker." The pandemic made a live performance of this venerable show impossible. But, said the Atlanta Ballet's artistic director Gennadi Nedvigin, "We knew that this tradition has to stay alive. We tried to find a virtual way; how we can stay here with our audience and create some joy for the season?" (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Dec. 3, 2020 Atlanta - Abigail Dupree Polston (left), costume pattern maker, and Susan Carter, costume construction manager, show one of Nutcracker costumes at Atlanta Ballet's Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre in Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. For generations, Atlantans have celebrated the season in the company of the magical fairies, toys and battling rats of "The Nutcracker." The pandemic made a live performance of this venerable show impossible. But, said the Atlanta Ballet's artistic director Gennadi Nedvigin, "We knew that this tradition has to stay alive. We tried to find a virtual way; how we can stay here with our audience and create some joy for the season?" (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Dec. 3, 2020 Atlanta - Abigail Dupree Polston, costume pattern maker, shows one of Nutcracker costumes at Atlanta Ballet's Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre in Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. For generations, Atlantans have celebrated the season in the company of the magical fairies, toys and battling rats of "The Nutcracker." The pandemic made a live performance of this venerable show impossible. But, said the Atlanta Ballet's artistic director Gennadi Nedvigin, "We knew that this tradition has to stay alive. We tried to find a virtual way; how we can stay here with our audience and create some joy for the season?" (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Dec. 3, 2020 Atlanta - Dancers from The Nutcracker (clockwise from left) Huiwen Peng (role as Snow), Kaitlin Roemer (role as Gossip Girl), Georgie Grace Butler (role as Maid) and Dominique Morel (role as Flower) pose during an interview with AJC film crew at Atlanta Ballet's Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre in Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. For generations, Atlantans have celebrated the season in the company of the magical fairies, toys and battling rats of "The Nutcracker." The pandemic made a live performance of this venerable show impossible. But, said the Atlanta Ballet's artistic director Gennadi Nedvigin, "We knew that this tradition has to stay alive. We tried to find a virtual way; how we can stay here with our audience and create some joy for the season?" (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Dec. 3, 2020 Atlanta - AJC feature reporter Bo Emerson and Cynthia Perry, ballet critic, during an interview with AJC film crew at Atlanta Ballet's Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre in Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. For generations, Atlantans have celebrated the season in the company of the magical fairies, toys and battling rats of "The Nutcracker." The pandemic made a live performance of this venerable show impossible. But, said the Atlanta Ballet's artistic director Gennadi Nedvigin, "We knew that this tradition has to stay alive. We tried to find a virtual way; how we can stay here with our audience and create some joy for the season?" (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Dec. 3, 2020 Atlanta - AJC feature reporter Bo Emerson and Cynthia Perry, ballet critic, are on camera as AJC video journalists Tyson Horne (left) and Ryon Horne (right) direct at Atlanta Ballet's Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre in Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. For generations, Atlantans have celebrated the season in the company of the magical fairies, toys and battling rats of "The Nutcracker." The pandemic made a live performance of this venerable show impossible. But, said the Atlanta Ballet's artistic director Gennadi Nedvigin, "We knew that this tradition has to stay alive. We tried to find a virtual way; how we can stay here with our audience and create some joy for the season?" (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Dec. 3, 2020 Atlanta - Mug shot of Cynthia Perry, ballet critic, on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. For generations, Atlantans have celebrated the season in the company of the magical fairies, toys and battling rats of "The Nutcracker." The pandemic made a live performance of this venerable show impossible. But, said the Atlanta Ballet's artistic director Gennadi Nedvigin, "We knew that this tradition has to stay alive. We tried to find a virtual way; how we can stay here with our audience and create some joy for the season?" (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Dec. 3, 2020 Atlanta - Emily Carrico (performed role of Marie) and Sergio Masero-Olarte (performed role of Prince) during an interview with Cynthia Perry, ballet critic, at Atlanta Ballet's Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre in Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. For generations, Atlantans have celebrated the season in the company of the magical fairies, toys and battling rats of "The Nutcracker." The pandemic made a live performance of this venerable show impossible. But, said the Atlanta Ballet's artistic director Gennadi Nedvigin, "We knew that this tradition has to stay alive. We tried to find a virtual way; how we can stay here with our audience and create some joy for the season?" (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Dec. 3, 2020 Atlanta - Gennadi Nedvigin, Artistic Director, speaks during an interview with Cynthia Perry (foreground), ballet critic, at Atlanta Ballet's Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre in Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. For generations, Atlantans have celebrated the season in the company of the magical fairies, toys and battling rats of "The Nutcracker." The pandemic made a live performance of this venerable show impossible. But, said the Atlanta Ballet's artistic director Gennadi Nedvigin, "We knew that this tradition has to stay alive. We tried to find a virtual way; how we can stay here with our audience and create some joy for the season?" (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Dec. 3, 2020 Atlanta - Gennadi Nedvigin, Artistic Director, speaks during an interview with Cynthia Perry (right), ballet critic, at Atlanta Ballet's Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre in Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. For generations, Atlantans have celebrated the season in the company of the magical fairies, toys and battling rats of "The Nutcracker." The pandemic made a live performance of this venerable show impossible. But, said the Atlanta Ballet's artistic director Gennadi Nedvigin, "We knew that this tradition has to stay alive. We tried to find a virtual way; how we can stay here with our audience and create some joy for the season?" (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Dec. 3, 2020 Atlanta - Gennadi Nedvigin, Artistic Director, speaks during an interview with Cynthia Perry, ballet critic, at Atlanta Ballet's Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre in Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. For generations, Atlantans have celebrated the season in the company of the magical fairies, toys and battling rats of "The Nutcracker." The pandemic made a live performance of this venerable show impossible. But, said the Atlanta Ballet's artistic director Gennadi Nedvigin, "We knew that this tradition has to stay alive. We tried to find a virtual way; how we can stay here with our audience and create some joy for the season?" (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Dec. 3, 2020 Atlanta - Production shop during an interview with AJC film crew at Atlanta Ballet's Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre in Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. For generations, Atlantans have celebrated the season in the company of the magical fairies, toys and battling rats of "The Nutcracker." The pandemic made a live performance of this venerable show impossible. But, said the Atlanta Ballet's artistic director Gennadi Nedvigin, "We knew that this tradition has to stay alive. We tried to find a virtual way; how we can stay here with our audience and create some joy for the season?" (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Dec. 3, 2020 Atlanta - Thomas Fowlkes, General Manager, shows production shop during an interview with AJC film crew at Atlanta Ballet's Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre in Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. For generations, Atlantans have celebrated the season in the company of the magical fairies, toys and battling rats of "The Nutcracker." The pandemic made a live performance of this venerable show impossible. But, said the Atlanta Ballet's artistic director Gennadi Nedvigin, "We knew that this tradition has to stay alive. We tried to find a virtual way; how we can stay here with our audience and create some joy for the season?" (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Dec. 3, 2020 Atlanta - Picture shows props and stage parts for The Nutcracker at Atlanta Ballet's Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre in Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. For generations, Atlantans have celebrated the season in the company of the magical fairies, toys and battling rats of "The Nutcracker." The pandemic made a live performance of this venerable show impossible. But, said the Atlanta Ballet's artistic director Gennadi Nedvigin, "We knew that this tradition has to stay alive. We tried to find a virtual way; how we can stay here with our audience and create some joy for the season?" (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Dec. 3, 2020 Atlanta - Thomas Fowlkes, General Manager, holds the nutcracker that has been used during "The Nutcracker" at production shop at Atlanta Ballet's Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre in Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. For generations, Atlantans have celebrated the season in the company of the magical fairies, toys and battling rats of "The Nutcracker." The pandemic made a live performance of this venerable show impossible. But, said the Atlanta Ballet's artistic director Gennadi Nedvigin, "We knew that this tradition has to stay alive. We tried to find a virtual way; how we can stay here with our audience and create some joy for the season?" (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

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Dec. 3, 2020 Atlanta - Dominique Morel (role as Flower) poses during an interview with AJC film crew at Atlanta Ballet's Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre in Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. For generations, Atlantans have celebrated the season in the company of the magical fairies, toys and battling rats of "The Nutcracker." The pandemic made a live performance of this venerable show impossible. But, said the Atlanta Ballet's artistic director Gennadi Nedvigin, "We knew that this tradition has to stay alive. We tried to find a virtual way; how we can stay here with our audience and create some joy for the season?" (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

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