Kansas City Ballet Making Inclusive Changes to Traditional 'Nutcracker'
Kansas City Ballet Dancers in The Nutcracker | Photo by Brett Pruitt & East Market Studios
Brittany Strelluf
The Kansas City Ballet is dancing into a new light with changes to the Christmas classic, The Nutcracker. New sets, costumes, and choreography were all added to the company’s annual performance in 2016. A more diverse company of dancers was hired, including the company’s first African American Snow Queen. Now, even more changes are being implemented for the 2019 production.
The first of many changes is the ballet’s first sensory-friendly performance. The Kansas City Ballet partnered with Autism Speaks, The Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City, and Children’s Mercy Hospital to present a sensory-friendly performance of The Nutcracker. This performance is specially designed for audience members with sensory sensitivities. For this performance, the ballet will reduce sound levels in order to muffle loud or surprising noises. The theater is providing softly glowing house lights that remain dimly lit throughout the performance. There are also greatly relaxing traditional theatre house rules, and providing amenities like a designated quiet space throughout the evening. Artistic Director Devon Carney says of the performance: “We want all families to feel welcome and are committed to do everything we can to ensure that all children experience the joy of this holiday tradition!”
Another change to 2019 is that the KC Ballet also intends to evolve past racist stereotypes of Asians within the production. In particular, the Tea Party Variations. The Kansas City Ballet partnered with Final Bow for Yellowface to accomplish this. Final Bow for Yellowface is committed to ending harmful racial stereotypes seen in ballet. Final Bow for Yellowface is a fantastic resource for information on how theatres can attempt to update The Nutcracker. They do so in a way that is culturally respectful while upholding the childlike charm of The Nutcracker. The playfulness and joy is still present, it’s just more culturally respectful.
In a press release issued by the ballet, Carney stated “Last year New York City Ballet made changes to its second act Chinese Tea Variation, removing elements of racial caricature from the costumes, makeup and choreography. This has spurred a national effort, and we are pleased that Kansas City Ballet has joined the conversation along with the ranks of other companies to make these needed changes.” The copyright to the work is owned by The Balanchine Trust. The Balanchine Trust approved the changes that are being applied to Nutcracker productions across the country.
Kansas City Ballet's The Nutcracker opens Dec. 5 and will run through until Dec. 24 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.