Nutcracker Director’s Report 2025

Welcome to the 19th Annual Cadance Nutcracker!

It’s that magical time of year again — tutus are pressed, bows are tied, and we are now ready for another unforgettable holiday tradition. This season brings even more sparkle and surprises that will make you giggle, gasp, and cheer.

Back by popular demand: the “Mice in Training” return with extra wiggles and mischief! Our delightful mouse crew and their reindeer cheer leaders are ready to show off their newest tricks.

At the finale, we warmly invite all children (and the young at heart) to join us onstage for a lively Nutcracker dance party with Clara and her friends — including the Sugar Plum Fairy, Mother Ginger, and those mischievous Gingersnap kids. They’ll learn a fresh dance and, for the brave and curious, experience the joy of peeking out from under Mother Ginger’s gigantic skirt!

In the world of the Nutcracker, anything can happen. Where else will you find a Christmas tree that grows taller than dreams and a playful battle between valiant toy soldiers and mischievous mice? It’s a place where hearts can break and heal, and where heroes appear in the most unexpected ways.

Sit back, let the music carry you, and allow yourself to be whisked away to a whimsical, magical world full of wonder and delightful surprises.

Enjoy the show,

Gaea Jess

Gaea Jess | Nutcracker Director

People Behind the Curtain

Music Composer
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Artistic Director
Gaea Jess

Cadance Founder/Front of House Manager
Linda Jess

Backstage Manager
Laila North

House Manager
Radovan Marinkovic

Props Designers
Cameron & Linda Jess, Colette Nap,
Paul Wegleitner

Original Silk Art (“Land of the Sweets” backdrop, “Growing Christmas Tree” and Snowflakes Falling”)
Holly Carr

Costume Manager
Elaine Boyd

Costume Makers
Colette Nap, Heidi Imlay-Price

Here There Everywhere
Paul Wegleitner

Technicians
Ryan Zwicker, Cole Jordan, Alex Evans

Special Thanks
Little Foot Yurts
Evangeline Middle School
Crochet Crowd Teams 12' Nutcrackers
Clara Maxner
Justin Corkum

Program Flow

Music Composed By Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Cast: (in order of appearance by last name)

ACT 1
Mice in Training (with little mice, big mice and reindeer)
(Choreographed by Gaea Jess, taught by Netanya Backhouse)
Aaliyah Scott, Alexis Mogensen, Alyssia Salmon, Brielle Martin, Dani Macinnis-Mansfield, Drew Lockhart-Connell, Adeline Cox, Everleigh Brown, George Howatt, Hailey Rubanovich, Hannah Stoddart, Islah Webster, Mae Lockhart-Connell, Nina O'Blenis, Raiden Jess-Wegleitner, Rozalyn Payne, Scarlett Broaders, Scarlett Gregoire, Valerie Harrison

Entrance of Little Mice and Gift for Clara
(Choreographed by Gaea Jess)
Sadie Corkum, Axton Sharpe, Addison Fraser, Evelyn Gregoire
Dr. Stahlbaum: Rodney Morrison
Mrs. Stahlbaum: Heidi Imlay-Price
Clara: Claire Asprey
Fritz: Meryk Jess-Wegleitner

Preparing for the Party
(Choreographed by Gaea Jess)
Butler: Odin Jess-Wegleitner
Maids: Ada May Levy, Lily Zimmerman-Shute

Guests Arrival
(Choreographed by Gaea Jess)
Lucy Richard, Stephanie Gauvin, Adrien Walsh, Diana Walsh, Kimberley Weir, Bram deGeus
Madame Peacock: Colette Nap
Drosselmeyer’s Nephew: Vahn Imlay-Price
Fritz’s Friends: Caleb Joudrey, Silas Joudrey, Samuel Linton, William Pynn-Sponagle
Horsey Boy: Raiden Jess-Wegleitner
Clara’s Friends: Bella Devine, Vivienne West
Party Children: Adeline Pynn-Sponagle, Emily Hodges, Hunter Harvey, Maya Beaudoin, Jessa Gallant, Gabby MacMillan, Aveline MacQuarrie, Cielle Scott

Party Polka
(Choreographed by Gaea Jess)

Arrival of Drosselmeyer
(Choreographed by Gaea Jess)
Ward MacDonald

Harlequin Dolls
(Choreographed by Gaea Jess)
Riah Imlay-Price
Bianca Phillips

Distribution of Gifts
(Choreographed by Gaea Jess)

Nutcracker Dance
(Choreographed by Gaea Jess)

Trumpet Dance
(Choreographed by Gaea Jess)

Adult Waltz
(Choreographed by Colette Nap)

Departure of Guests
(Choreographed by Gaea Jess)

Clara and Mice Encounter
(Choreographed by Odin Jess-Wegleitner)
Mylah Jewell, Mary Cameron, Riah Imlay-Price, Kira Vaskiv

Mouse Queen Grand Entrance
(Choreographed by Odin Jess-Wegleitner)

The Transformation of the Nutcracker
(Choreographed by Odin Jess-Wegleitner)

Soldiers Prepare for Battle
(Choreographed by Odin Jess-Wegleitner)
Leigh Kennedy, Charlotte Fraser, Claire Jennings, Heidi McFarlane, Roya Beaudoin, Norah O’Blenis, Iris MacKinnon, Lola Vardy

Mouse Queen and Mice Return
(Choreographed by Odin Jess-Wegleitner)

Fight between Nutcracker and Mouse Queen
(Choreographed by Odin Jess-Wegleitner)

The Final Defeat
(Choreographed by Odin Jess-Wegleitner)

Nutcracker and Clara Pas de Deux
(Choreographed by Gaea Jess)

Angels of Light
(Choreographed by Gaea Jess and Laila North)
Snow Angels: Stephanie Gauvin, Julie Harris, Lucy Richard, Sarah Surette, Chelsea Thornton
Angels: Nora Scott, Emily Hodges, Adeline Pynn-Sponagle, Bella Devine, Vivienne West, Cielle Scott
Snow Angels: Stephanie Gauvin,

Snow Queen and Drosselmeyer Pas De Deux
(Choreographed by Laila North)
Julie Harris (Saturday evening)
Chelsea Thornton (Sunday Matinee)

Frolicking in The Land of Snow with Reindeer
(Choreographed by Laila North)
Melrose Kinney, Brenda Solman, Lucy Risser-Milne, Lyla MacDonald

Waltz of the Snowflakes
(Choreographed by Laila North)
Heidi Imlay-Price, Sophia Cudmore, Eliza Godfrey, Maria Petkova, Lydia Rainforth, Ada May Levy

Intermission (20 minutes)

ACT 2
Sugar Plum Fairy, and everyone from the Land of Sweets welcome Clara and Nutcracker
(Choreographed by Gaea Jess & Laila North)

Sugar Plum Fairy
(Choreographed by Gaea Jess inspired by original choreography by Lev Ivanov)
Sydney Ewert

Reindeer
(Choreographed by Laila North)

Spanish Chocolates
(Choreographed by Laila North)
Ward MacDonald, Lucy Richard, Vahn Imlay-Price, Roya Beaudoin

Peppermint Twists
(Choreographed by Laila North)
Riah Imlay-Price, Lydia Rainforth, Maria Petkova

Peacocks
(Choreographed by Gaea Jess)
Emmersen Brown, Stephanie Gauvin, Nathelie Parmentier, Sarah Surette

Ribbon Candy
(Choreographed by Gaea Jess)
Hunter Harvey, Emily Hodges, Jessa Gallant, Gabby MacMillan

Trepak
(Choreographed by Gaea Jess)
Axton Sharpe, Norah O’Blenis, Meryk Jess-Wegleitner, Sam Linton, Charlotte Fraser, Claire Jennings

Mother Ginger
(Choreographed by Gaea Jess)
Mother Ginger: Heidi Imlay-Price; Ginger Snap Lead: Mary Cameron;
Ginger Snaps: Alexis Rempel, Raiden Jess-Wegleitner, Nora Scott, Heidi McFarlane, Sadie Corkum, Adeline Pynn-Sponagle, William Pynn-Sponagle, Evelyn Gregoire, Emily Burns, Aveline MacQuarrie

Waltz of the Flowers
(Choreographed by Laila North)
Flower Princess: Ada May Levy
Flower Attendants: Sophia Cudmore, Eliza Godfrey
Flower Buds: Bella Devine, Mylah Jewell, Leigh Kennedy, Iris MacKinnon, Bianca Phillips, Vivianne West

Sugar Plum Fairy and Nutcracker Grand Pas De Deux
(Choreographed by Gaea Jess)

Nutcracker Prince
(Choreographed by Gaea Jess)

Final Waltz
(Choreographed by Gaea Jess and Laila North)

The Nutcracker

Step into a world of wonder with The Nutcracker Ballet, inspired by E.T.A. Hoffmann's tale “The Nutcracker and the King of Mice and Dancers” and the beautiful music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. While the ballet may differ from the original story, it retains the captivating essence of a young girl's enchanting adventure filled with dreams, battles, and unforgettable friendships.

The Story

ACT 1
The Party Scene
It’s Christmas Eve at the grand Stahlbaum residence, where the air is alive with excitement. The magnificent tree stands tall, shimmering with lights, as guests gather for the annual festive celebration. Clara, the beloved daughter, receives a sparkling tiara from her father, while her mischievous brother Fritz playfully teases her.

As laughter fills the room, the anticipation builds for the arrival of Clara’s godfather, Drosselmeyer. A master toymaker, he brings surprises that mesmerize everyone, especially two life-size dolls that steal the show. The atmosphere is electric as gifts are exchanged, but when Drosselmeyer plays a trick on Clara, her disappointment is palpable. Yet, he soon reveals a special gift just for her: a charming Nutcracker.

However, mischief brews when Fritz, consumed by jealousy, breaks the beloved toy. But magic is in the air! Drosselmeyer swiftly repairs the Nutcracker, restoring Clara’s joy. As the party winds down and guests depart, Clara sneaks back to the living room with her treasured Nutcracker. In a moment of pure bliss, she dances with him before drifting off to sleep, embracing her dreams.

The Fight Scene
The clock strikes midnight, awakening a realm of magic. Unbeknownst to Clara, the mice of the house emerge, thrilled by the beauty surrounding them. But their revelry turns sinister as they spot Clara sleeping peacefully. Suddenly, their Queen arrives, commanding attention and chaos. The Mouse Queen seizes Clara's Nutcracker, leading to an astonishing transformation: he comes to life!

In a fierce confrontation, the Nutcracker valiantly defends Clara against the Mouse Queen and her minions. Just as defeat seems imminent, Clara's bravery shines through. She hits the Mouse Queen with her shoe, saving her beloved Nutcracker. With their queen vanquished, the mice flee in despair.

To Clara's relief, her Nutcracker revives, and together they celebrate their victory with joyous dance. Grateful for Clara’s courage, the Nutcracker invites her on a magical sleigh ride through the glistening Land of Snow, where they encounter the breathtaking Snow Queen and her mesmerizing snowflakes and angels.

ACT 2
The Land of Sweets
Their adventure takes them to the magical Land of Sweets, a whimsical place filled with wonder and delight. Here, they are greeted by the charming Sugar Plum Fairy and a host of joyful inhabitants. The Nutcracker proudly recounts Clara’s courageous tale, earning her a dazzling tiara from the Sugar Plum Fairy herself. As night falls, a grand celebration begins, featuring a kaleidoscope of vibrant dances—from the regal Peacocks to the lively Mother Ginger and her playful Ginger Snaps, and a myriad of other enchanting performances that fill the air with joy and excitement.

As the festivities come alive, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Nutcracker grace the stage with a captivating dance, leading to a stunning Grand Pas de Deux that captures the audience's heart. The joyous energy swells, building into a beautiful Final Waltz that brings everyone together in a vibrant celebration of life and friendship, creating an unforgettable moment filled with magic and wonder.

Once the merriment settles the Nutcracker, with unwavering devotion, takes Clara home leaving her sleeping peacefully. The moonlight dances through the windows, casting soft shadows around them, while the whispers of enchanted dreams swirl in the air, ensuring her peaceful rest.

As the enchantment fades and reality creeps back in, Clara awakens and finds herself with a heart full of wonder, pondering whether her adventure was real or merely a dream. One thing remains certain: she will forever cherish her magical night and keep her beloved Nutcracker close to her heart.

In this timeless tale of courage and imagination, The Nutcracker Ballet invites us all to believe in magic and embrace the joy of dreams.

Wear with pride, Cadance swag.

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Give the Gift of Dance This Holiday Season!

Dance is a gift that keeps on giving, joy, confidence, and creativity all wrapped into one!
This season, treat someone special to a Cadance class gift card. It can be used toward the cost of a single class, monthly tuition, or any payment or denomination you choose.

Purchase in-studio or email info@cadanceacademy.ca to grab yours today!

Our Sponsors

We appreciate all our Nutcracker sponsors for their commitment to the arts and our community. They offer quality services, reliable customer care, and trusted products, making them excellent choices for anyone seeking dependable, community-focused businesses.

Boston Pizza (15 years)

Enjoy great food while supporting the arts. When you dine at Boston Pizza, you treat yourself to delicious meals and help Cadance’s Nutcracker and its talented performers

Staples 149 (12 Years)

Staples New Minas has supported our Nutcracker for over 10 years and continues to be a trusted community choice, offering reliable service, helpful staff, and a wide selection of office and school essentials.

Panda Print has been a trusted Valley printing provider since 2017, offering high-quality work, quick turnaround, and exceptional local service for all your printing needs.

Panda Print (3 Years)

Noggins Corner

Little Foot Yurts

The Green Oven

Thank You for Being Part of Our 19-Year Journey

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who has graced us with your presence over the past 19 enchanting years. Your unwavering support and presence have allowed us to carry on this cherished holiday tradition, which has been lovingly built upon the foundations of the stories and experiences that hold a special place in your hearts. Thank you for being an integral part of our journey.