A ‘Nutcracker’ Friendship



For one Ballet Wichita ballerina and one musician, “The Nutcracker” encapsulates 10 years of friendship. “We both share a passion for the arts: He’s a violinist and I’m a dancer. We’re performing the same show, which is really cool,” says Hannah Chandler, who is dancing the roles of Dew Drop Fairy, Mirliton and Columbine Doll this year. Her friend, Landon Roy, will be playing violin with the Ballet Wichita Symphony for the second time.

Chandler and Roy first met in fifth grade and went on to share many classes through middle school and high school — including music classes. But Chandler’s path eventually led her toward dance; this will be her 13th year dancing in “The Nutcracker.” 

“I have grown up watching Hannah perform in Ballet in The Park,” says Roy, “and in ‘The Nutcracker’ at least four times.” Likewise, Chandler has attended several of Roy’s concerts with the Wichita Symphony Orchestra.

Collaborating with his longtime friend in last year’s “Nutcracker” for the first time was “phenomenal,” says Roy. “The music combined with the dancing — it’s, like, extra. It really adds something special to the performance, because you get the visual aspect as well as the music.”

Tchaikovsky composed the score for “The Nutcracker” in 1892, and from the beginning the ballet was meant to be accompanied by a live orchestra. Stirring horns and lively strings conjure the toys to life, the clash of symbols heralds the deadly aim of Clara’s slipper, and the celesta resonates with every enchanting step of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Wichita has been fortunate to have the opportunity to experience “The Nutcracker” performed to a live orchestra for over four decades, exclusively with Ballet Wichita’s production. As they look toward the future and kick off their 50th-year celebrations, executive director Sandy Wolter says the company is committed to this treasured collaboration.

“Dancing to live music offers a truly immersive experience; the synergy between the dancers, the conductor and the musicians allows for a deeper emotional connection between everyone performing and with the audience. It means ‘The Nutcracker’ is never the same performance and part of what makes Ballet Wichita’s production truly magical and unique.”

Artistic director David Justin agrees. Last year he brought in Maestro Steven Byess as guest conductor. Byess, who’s been hailed as “masterful and brilliant,” returns this year to lead the Ballet Wichita Symphony. 

“Movements and music, they speak together,” says Justin. “The spark that happens between the dancer and the live music in that moment is the spark that the audience gets to see. As a dancer it's so important and so powerful. Beautiful. I'm very grateful we have that.

“It changes the way you exist in a moment: because it's live music every show is subtly different and nuanced.”

Ballet Wichita Presents the 49th ‘Nutcracker’

Featuring the Ballet Wichita Symphony

Century II Concert Hall

Friday, Dec. 15, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 16, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 17, 2 p.m.

For more information go to balletwichita.com

Purchase tickets through Select-a-Seat:

selectaseat.com/bwnutcracker