Boston Ballet School students have the exclusive opportunity to perform in The Nutcracker every year. This season, 36 students are also getting the chance to participate in Coppélia, George Balanchine’s family-friendly romantic comedy that is considered “the happiest ballet in existence” (The New York Times).
Boston Ballet School students Isabella Scott, Clara Delcamino-Yang, and Camryn Daniel share their journey—from auditions to rehearsals to performing on the Boston Opera House stage.
Practice makes perfect
Auditioning for productions is an opportunity reserved solely for BBS students. Nearly 60 students from the Boston, Newton, and North Shore studios auditioned to be a part of the corps of students in Coppélia. “When I first found out I was cast, my friend and I ran over to each other and started jumping up and down. We were super excited,” says 11-year-old Isabella Scott.
Scott, who has performed in The Nutcracker before, notes that the rehearsals for Coppélia are more demanding. “The choreography is different. The Nutcracker is a lot of acting; this is a lot more dancing.”
Faculty Member Melissa Reed further explains, “The students dance for a substantial amount of Act III without ever leaving the stage. It takes a lot of preparation and attention to detail, but also empowers the dancers to challenge their mental focus.”
While it is physically and mentally demanding, the students are well prepared for the experience. “The foundation of a student’s preparation for the stage is in class. This is true not only from a technical standpoint, but also in building an awareness of themselves and others,” Reed says.