Reinard and Leanna rehearse for 'The Nutcracker' which runs this weekend in Saskatoon. (Submitted Photo/Mackenzie Lehner)

By paNOW Staff

ON THE BIG STAGE

P.A. dancers among dozens performing in ‘The Nutcracker’ this weekend

Dec 13, 2023 | 5:00 PM

An iconic Christmas tradition will grace the stage in Saskatoon this weekend and several Saskatchewan dancers will be part of the big show.

The Royal Winnipeg Ballet is bringing its version of The Nutcracker to TCU Place on Dec. 15 and 16.

Over 105 students auditioned to be a part of the cast, with 42 dancers chosen in a variety of roles.

Mackenzie Lehner with the Brenda School of Baton and Dance and is the rehearsal director for the show while in Saskatoon. She was once a student of the professional division of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and has now come full circle to be the rehearsal director.

“We had so much interest, which was wonderful,” she said, talking about the auditions for the show in Saskatoon. “We have a full cast and we have dancers from all across the province, which has just been great.”

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A couple of those dancers are from Prince Albert and spoke to paNOW about the rehearsals and what it’s like to be a part of one of the most popular ballets in history.

One of those dancers is Reinard Lotz who is playing a Mountie in the show. While he didn’t have much to say during the interview, he acknowledged he was nervous when auditioning. But once he took his first steps on the dance floor, he forgot all about those nerves.

He’s been dancing for the past two years and said it feels surreal to be a part of The Nutcracker.

“It’s unexpressible how excited I am,” he said.

Another P.A. dancer who is thrilled to be in the show is 10-year-old Leanna de Padua. She has been dancing for six years and can’t wait for the production to start.

“I’m really, really excited,” she said.

Other Saskatchewan dancers in The Nutcracker hail from communities like Wadena, North Battleford, Melfort, and Martensville.

Lehner said she has seen so much passion and joy in the dancers.

“The Saskatchewan dancers are so talented, so focused and just very lovely young human beings. So for me, it has been such a joy to work with them,” she said.

The Winnipeg Ballet’s performance of The Nutcracker runs this Friday and Saturday and tickets can be purchased on the TCU Place website.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @princealbertnow