Local Student Performs in Boston Ballet’s Celebrated Production of Mikko Nissinen’s ‘The Nutcracker’

Kayla Rose Petruccelli, of Winthrop, is performing in Boston Ballet’s production of Mikko Nissinen’s “The Nutcracker” in the role of Lamb. Petruccelli has been a student at Boston Ballet School for 5 years. “The Nutcracker” opens Nov. 29 at the Boston Opera House with performances through Dec. 30.

Kayla, the daughter of Paul and Cherie Petruccelli and grandchild of Raymond and Janet O’Brien, is a passionate student of a local Elementary School. In addition to dancing with The Boston Ballet School she enjoys writing, singing, and spending time with family and friends. Although Kayla is dedicated and hardworking in all of her lessons, ballet remains her passion. She is very excited and honored to be part of this special and traditional production.

Petruccelli joins 250 other young Boston Ballet School students from around New England in Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker. Three different casts will take on various roles, such as toy soldiers, pages, reindeer, lambs, polichinelles, baby mice, and party children during Boston Ballet’s 41 performances of “The Nutcracker.”

Nissinen’s “The Nutcracker” marked the first time Boston Ballet built a new production entirely from the ground up, engaging crafts men and women from all over the United States. Robert Perdziola illustrated more than 40 sketches that were transformed into the production’s larger-than-life sets that range from calm, subtle colors in the Act I party scene to vibrant colors in Act II’s Nutcracker Kingdom. The 2012 production also incorporated more than 350 beautifully intricate costumes and fine-tuned choreography. New lighting design by renowned Finnish designer Mikki Kunttu was added in 2015.

This year’s production of “The Nutcracker” incorporates two artistic updates. First, Nissinen will refresh the choreography for the Chinese divertissement. Second, a Company dancer will join Boston Ballet School students in performing the role of Clara, enhancing the students’ learning experience and cultivating mentorship between Company and student dancers.

All children performing in “The Nutcracker” are students of Boston Ballet School and coached by an experienced staff including Boston Ballet Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen, Boston Ballet School Director Margaret Tracey, Children’s Ballet Master Miranda Weese, and Boston Ballet School’s world-renowned faculty. Students auditioned and started rehearsing for the production in October. They will continue rehearsals through November, which includes rehearsals with Company dancers and costume fittings with Boston Ballet’s Costume Shop. They will experience the unique, backstage atmosphere at the Boston Opera House through technical and dress rehearsals, as well as performances accompanied by Boston Ballet Orchestra conducted by newly appointed Music Director Mischa Santora and attended by more than 2,000 audience members each night.

Participating in a full-length ballet is an important performance opportunity for students, exposing them to aspects of ballet they do not experience in a regular class. The students learn about the hard work and enjoyment that composes a live ballet performance, and have the unique opportunity to dance alongside Boston Ballet’s 65 internationally-acclaimed professional dancers from around the world.

For a full synopsis and additional details, visit bostonballet.org.

Tickets start at $37. For more information, visit bostonballet.org/nutcracker/ or call 617.695.6955.

 

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