KOMA and THE NUTCRACKER
In this production we go beyond contemporary dance; it is a cultural exchange initiative that believes that the exchange between artists who experience cultural diversity and plurality can add to the way we approach and make art. Selected prominent artists from Brazil, as well as Greece, come to join our Youth Danish Ensemble during the Christmas season especially for this production of The Nutcracker signed by the award-winning choreographer, director and video maker Alex Soares, contributing their unique artistic perspectives and enriching the performance with a fusion of backgrounds and experiences.
This collaboration with Odense Symphony Orchestra allows for a vibrant and dynamic reinterpretation of the beloved classic, blending traditions with contemporary influences from across cultures. A partnership with international artists, that values youth development and in this context embodies the power of collaborations.
ABOUT
THE NUTCRACKER – NUT'S TALENT SHOW
With the advent of digital technology, old traditions are transformed and new ones are born. The original classic Christmas story The Nutcracker, with the musical masterpiece by Tchaikovsky, has found its starting point in the digital era and late modern society with this new and modern dance performance.
With the advent of digital technology, old traditions are transformed and new ones are born. The original classic Christmas story The Nutcracker, with the musical masterpiece by Tchaikovsky, has found its starting point in the digital era and late modern society with this new and contemporary dance performance.
In a new interpretation of Clara's dream of Christmas, love and family, digital screens cast long shadows into our homes, families and everyday lives.
The performance follows the young girl, and as the story progresses, the audience will experience Clara's new ways of interacting with her world, and what this means for her anticipation and excitement for Christmas Eve.
This late-modern Nutcracker is more than a dance performance – it is a mirror of our own times. It reflects our relationship with the digital media that both enriches and complicates our lives. It is a tale of balance in a digital age, a fairy tale that reminds us that even in this screen-filled world, it is human relationships that bind us together – says Inge Fjord, director of KOMA BALLET.
The performance's choreography was created by the acclaimed Brazilian choreographer Alex Soares. "For me, it is a dystopian future that could even be NOW." says Alex Soares.
In Alex’s version of The Nutcracker, the overall dramaturgy is maintained. The first act is a very linear narrative, with a clear historical arc, and as the curtain falls on Christmas Eve, the audience is left with a sense of wonder – and perhaps a little unease.
The choreographer transforms the second act's divertissement into a talent show, similar to reality shows, the formula of which has been replicated in several countries. Hence the subtitle: ‘The Nuts Talent Show’. The metaphor that reflects on the 'franchise' that The Nutcracker itself has become.
The choreographer invites us on an exciting and innovative journey, where a high level of dance is the way to interpret one of the greatest Christmas classics of all time. With more than 40 dancers on stage, the show's two acts are a work that brings together humor, criticism and emotion to pay tribute to classical music and contemporary dance.
THE CHOREOGRAPHER
Alex Soares is a long-time collaborator with our artistic director, Caroline Rodrigues, and together they have built a successful partnership on the new version of the work.
Based in Sao Paulo, Alex has had a career as a dancer in his native Brazil with a range of contemporary dance companies, including São Paulo City Ballet (BCSP) and Balé Teatro Guaíra.
He performed works by renowned choreographers Ohad Naharin, Mauro Bigonzetti, Rami Levi, Gagik Ismailian, Itzik Galili, Angelin Preljocaj, Cayetano Soto, Oscar Araiz,Luis Arrieta,Henrique Rodovalho, among others.
Always very interested in video and its many aspects, Alex also studied film-making, with the purpose of using this knowledge in his scenic productions and also in the creation of video dance.
Meet The Team
Born in Odense, KOMA made a debut on the stage at the Odense Teater in March 2023 and since then has performed relevant works with artists who stand out on the national and international scene. KOMA aims to co-create a unique opportunity for promising young artists in their first years of experience, in a mission to serve as a springboard, providing technical and artistic tools for a successful journey in the dance field.
The cast also includes dancers from DANSE GRUNDUDDANNELSE (DGU)
Hvorfra hun også har sin uddannelse fra bla. Federal University of Minas Gerais.
Hun er som danser og koreograf anerkendt i både Syd Amerika og Europa, og har danset med mange estimerede kompagnier så som: Ballet Jovem Minas Gerais, JundiaÍ Municipal Dance Company, Holstebro Dance Company.
Ved siden af sin professionelle karriere som danser og koreograf er Caroline Rodrigues også en dygtig og velrenommeret underviser, hvilket eleverne på Det Kongelige Teater Balletskole Odense
lige nu nyder godt af, da hun er Artistisk leder og underviser på DGU og KOMA BALLET.