(Credit: Chris Casella)

For many Central Ohioians, the annual production of The Nutcracker is a family affair. For many of BalletMet’s dancers, however, it’s the most exciting and challenging part of the performance season. For dancer Jimmy Orrante, the holiday classic has become both.

A Los Angeles native, Orrante came to Columbus by way of Memphis 17 years ago for a summer training program at BalletMet and never left. He’s been a part of The Nutcracker every year since. He is married to a fellow dancer and this year will be joined on stage for the first time by his seven-year-old son, Isaac.

“For many of us [dancers], we have fun while we’re performing but then forget about it when we go home,” said Orrante. “Once I had kids, though, I remembered just how much they like to relive that story over and over. That’s when I realized the true impact of what we do.”

Isaac, the oldest of the Orrante’s three children, had just begun taking classes when he and his parents decided he would audition. “It’s been a bit hard for him,” said his dad. “He’s just learning these steps and then having to perform them in front of an audience.” Lucky for Isaac, he has someone at home to offer expert tips.

This year, the elder Orrante, who has played the parts of the Cavalier and the Rat King (among others), is dancing the part of Drosselmeyer, the eccentric toymaker. Unlike in shows such as the recent Carmen, which featured a guest director, the main cast of The Nutcracker does not audition for their roles. BalletMet’s Artistic Director Gerard Charles knows his dancers well and he posts a list of roles each year, which still draws a curious crowd – not unlike how it happens in high schools all over the country.

Orrante has enjoyed working with the children in the production, in addition to his own. “Most of them start out very serious,” he said, “but by the end of the run, they have grown really comfortable on stage.” He is especially amused when they come back to visit after they’ve grown. One young man who Orrante could remember lifting on stage went on to become a military policeman.

Having fun and pleasing the audience is clearly of great importance to Orrante. He seemed to be speaking for professional ballet dancers all over the world who perform in annual Nutcracker productions when he said with pride, “This is part of our art, part of what we get to do.”

A Newbie’s Guide to the Ballet

According to BalletMet dancer Jimmy Orrante, getting folks into the theater for a performance is the hardest part. “Once they’re here, they realize the full extent of athleticism and determinism on display. It’s not about boring tights or the opportunity to take a nap in a comfortable seat.”

I myself have lived in Columbus my whole life and am not proud to admit that until recently, I’d never seen a BalletMet performance in a theater (I caught a performance down on the riverfront, which was great, but much less intimidating). I finally attended BalletMet’s performance of Carmen and wondered why I had waited so long to go.

For those of you with the same desire and hesitation, I offer some pointers.

**Dress at the high range of your comfort level **
Sure there are those who are clearly out to impress a date or show off their furs and jewels, but they are few. I sat next to a guy in jeans who was there for a class at Columbus State. It’s best to just wear something that you feel makes you look nice.

Start with a drink
With more reputable bars and eateries opening within walking distance of the Riffe Center and the Ohio Theatre, easing into the night with the aid of some liquid appreciation is a breeze.

Read the synopsis
Because there is no dialogue, it can be difficult to keep track of what’s happening on stage. When the usher showed me to my seat, she advised me to read the synopsis printed in the program, which allowed me to follow the plot with ease.

Feel free to swoon
Let’s face it; there aren’t many instances in real life where you can see artists with amazing bodies practicing a high art. Surrendering to the visceral responses that can be evoked by live performance is not a bad way to counter the everyday stresses of a chaotic world.

The Nutcracker runs December 9th – 24th at the Ohio Theatre. For more information, visit www.balletmet.org.