🩰 Go behind the Nutcracker curtain in Orlando Ballet’s award-winning documentary

ORLANDO, Fla. – It’s a holiday classic with some new elements.

The Orlando Ballet is wrapping up its performances of “The Nutcracker,” but they’re taking you behind the curtain in a new documentary airing on Christmas Eve on WKMG-TV.

This hourlong program provides interviews and stunning footage that highlights the athleticism, creativity and dedication of the company dancers and artists who bring “The Nutcracker” to life. From intricate choreography to awe-inspiring puppetry and breathtaking sets, viewers will gain a deeper appreciation of the creativity and innovation that define this timeless classic.

“We are excited to bring this exceptional documentary to our viewers across Central Florida,” said Jeff Hoffman, general manager of WKMG-TV. “Partnering with the Orlando Ballet to share this unique perspective on ‘The Nutcracker’ is a privilege. We hope this program brings joy to viewers as we start the holiday season.”

News 6 anchor Crystal Moyer got an Insider look at the production and found that it was the dancers who are pulling all the strings to bring the toys to life in the performance.

“In the story of the Nutcracker, the toys come to life so the marionettes and puppets establish the toy aspect of the story,” Puppet Specialist Tony Whitten said. “Like a standard marionette, we have a string on the head and two for each of the legs and arms to help control the body. But for these puppets, because they are sword fighting, they have extra movement so there’s an added thumb bar that makes the swords come up and down.”

Whitten has about 30 years of experience, having worked at local theme parks. He now teaches dancers at Orlando Ballet how to pull the strings.

“What’s interesting is that most of the dancers have never done actual puppetry before, so it’s getting used to the weight and scale of these new puppets. For instance, they have to hold their hands and elbows fairly high, and that’s an unusual position to hold for a long time,” Whitten said.

Even with little-to-no experience working with puppets, dancers, like Cameron Bailey, pick up the skill quickly, understanding the language of movement.

“It’s pretty intuitive because we’re so used to being in control of our bodies, our hands are a part of that. So it’s getting used to the idea that the puppet is an extension of ourselves,” Bailey said.

The “Orlando Ballet Presents The Nutcracker” was reimagined by artistic director Jorden Morris with new costumes and choreography. The process was captured in an award-winning documentary that’s airing on WKMG-TV Christmas Eve.

“The documentary crew got an inside scoop of the sets being built, the dancers learning the steps and the changes being made throughout the process,” Associate Artistic Director Lisa Thorn Morris said. “They were there to see how things developed from the very beginning. So when you see the documentary, you’re really seeing the behind-the-scenes from planning to the stage.”

This year, the show includes new animatronics and larger puppets that interact with the audience, like the flying goose.

“They roam around the entire stage. Those puppets are not confined to the stages we built. They’ve got these wings that flare out and a mechanism on their heads to give her more expression and lifelike movements,” Whitten said. “It seems simple... it’s just rods and strings, but when done right in the hands of a talented performer, we believe it’s a goose on the loose.”

Four dancers train as puppeteers and rotate throughout the nearly 30 performances of The Nutcracker.

Orlando Ballet presents “The Nutcracker” runs through Sunday, Dec. 22, at Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts in Orlando. Click HERE for ticket information.

Tune in to WKMG-TV on Dec. 24 at 5 p.m. to watch “Artistry & Innovation: Reimagining the Nutcracker.” You can also watch the documentary on-demand on the News 6+ App for your smart TV.

Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: