"Art is Community" – The Columbus Ballet’s The Nutcracker is a Great Example of Columbus’ Creative Collaboration

Dance, live music, costume design, theater, and community partnerships converge to create The Columbus Ballet’s annual holiday tradition.

Written by TJ Shockley

Every December, audiences gather for The Columbus Ballet’s The Nutcracker, a story of Clara and her magical journey through the Land of Sweets. But behind the curtain, this familiar tale also tells another story, one about the creative ecosystem of Columbus itself. Across disciplines and organizations, The Nutcracker becomes a reflection of the collaborative artistic heartbeat of the Chattahoochee Valley.

A Tapestry of Arts

Jennifer Hayes, board president of The Columbus Ballet, described it simply: “Art is community. Without it, art doesn’t come to life. The Nutcracker is about relationships, partnerships, cheering each other on. It’s vulnerable work. You put your vision out there and release it. That takes trust.”

And that trust spans every artistic medium. The Nutcracker unites local dancers from multiple studios, the Voices of the Valley Children’s Chorus, a full orchestra under Maestro Paul Hostetter, costumers, theater technicians, set designers, art educators, and a dedicated corps of volunteers. Each thread strengthens the whole.

This year also brings a visual art collaboration into the spotlight: the playbill cover (as well as promotional artwork) was created by Columbus painter Rich Godfrey. His expressive, whimsical style adds yet another dimension to the production’s identity and is a natural extension of the ballet’s holiday magic.

“Every time the snow falls and the choir sings, it’s magic,” Hayes said. “The dancers are the focus, but without music, without costumes, without the theater, it wouldn’t be the same.”

In every sense, The Nutcracker becomes a conversation across the arts.

The Live Difference

For Artistic Director Ben Redding, the inclusion of a live orchestra is essential. “When you train to a recorded track, it’s always the same. But with live music, you don’t know exactly how it will go. It forces dancers to be present, to respond. And for the audience, it’s electric. You’re not just hearing music; you’re sharing in a moment that will never happen exactly the same way again.”

Under the baton of Hostetter, the orchestra brings a dynamic, responsive energy to Tchaikovsky’s score. Dancers and musicians react to every nuance, creating a performance that is at once precise and beautifully spontaneous.

A Sound of Community

For many audience members, one of the most enchanting moments each year is the snow scene, elevated by the Voices of the Valley Children’s Chorus. In residence at Columbus State University’s Schwob School of Music, Voices of the Valley provides children across the Chattahoochee Value with elite choral training and performance opportunities like The Nutcracker. The young singers deliver an added layer of wonder that transforms the snow scene into something unforgettable. The choir’s involvement also reinforces the show’s purpose: to unite Columbus’ young artists, nurture emerging talent, and create a beautiful artistic experience.

Collaboration Across Disciplines

This year’s performance also benefits from a team of directors and choreographers. Redding works alongside Amy Mutarelli, Curtis Cauthen, and Kassi O’Donnel — artists with distinct perspectives. 

“It’s rare for four passionate artists to collaborate so seamlessly,” Redding said. “But it’s inspiring. Amy is deeply rooted in ballet, Curtis brings a fresh outside eye, Cassi contributes her own style. Together, it’s exactly what art should be. Everyone brings something different, and it all complements each other.”

Hayes added, “The person next to you in the audience might see something completely different, depending on what they’re attuned to. Some are drawn to the technical dancing, others to the visual elements on stage or the storytelling, others to the music. There’s something for everyone.”

Costume Craftsmanship

The visual richness of The Nutcracker is also brought to life under the leadership of Costume Director Martha Powers. Now in her fifth season as Costume Director, Powers oversees a vast wardrobe that includes everything from hand-embellished tutus to character outfits for the production’s youngest performers. Whether it’s a repair, a refinement, or a reimagined piece each season, she honors tradition while ensuring the costumes move beautifully with the dancers. With any production, costumes are also a massive logistical feat: fittings, alterations, quick changes, and coordinating dozens of performers across multiple acts. Powers’s work elevates the entire production, ensuring the visual world of Clara’s journey is as enchanting and memorable to the audience as the choreography and music.

Volunteerism and Community Support

Off stage, hundreds of volunteer hours fuel the production: building and repairing costumes, coordinating rehearsals, managing backstage logistics, and spreading the word in the community. “It would be impossible without them,” Redding admitted. “I’ve been amazed at how much happens through volunteerism. It’s a monster of a production, and yet it all comes together because people care.”

Hayes sees it as part of the celebration of the arts in Columbus. “Supporting the ballet isn’t just for artists. Volunteers, organizations, businesses, donors — they all play a role. When Columbus invests in the arts, everyone benefits.”

This year, that investment has taken many shapes: local businesses featuring Nutcracker-themed promotions, schools hosting visiting dancers for demonstrations, dancers appearing in character at local holiday events, and arts partners across the city sharing the production on their platforms.

Why It Matters

Redding believes the message of The Nutcracker (and the collaboration that produces it) couldn’t be more timely. “The Nutcracker is a story of joy. Clara escapes into a world of magic, discovery, and wonder. That’s what we’re offering. Not just to audiences, but to each other as artists. A reminder to choose joy.”

That joy becomes woven into the city’s cultural memory. “Every year, you see people come back,” Hayes reflected. “Former dancers in the audience, parents who volunteered years ago, grandparents bringing their grandkids. It’s a cycle. It’s continuity. That’s what community arts are about.” ◼️

If You Go:

Tickets for The Columbus Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts are still available, with performances on Saturday, December 13, and Sunday, December 14, 2025. To purchase tickets, click here.