Indianapolis, Indiana – A fresh, captivating take on the holiday classic “The Nutcracker” is poised to enchant audiences across the United States this season, thanks to an ambitious collaboration between the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and WTIU Public Television. The production, filmed live in 4K at IU’s iconic Musical Arts Center last year, brings together world-class music, dance, and storytelling to create an immersive experience for viewers at home, giving them the sense of sitting right in the theater.
The production showcases the extraordinary talents of IU faculty and students and will air nationally across 300 American Public Television markets, reaching roughly 90 percent of the country. At the center of this innovative presentation is choreographer Sasha Janes, a Jacobs School professor of ballet, who reimagined the classic story while remaining faithful to Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, performed live by the IU Symphony Orchestra. Audiences can check local PBS listings or stream the performance online to experience this fresh take, while tickets for live performances at the Musical Arts Center in Bloomington during the first two weekends of December remain available.
From Stage to Screen
Creating a production of this scale for a national audience required meticulous planning and close collaboration between the Jacobs School faculty and WTIU staff. The filming took place over three separate occasions: a live performance with an audience, a dress rehearsal, and an additional session designed to capture close-up shots on stage using a Steadicam. During the live performance, the crew even removed the front rows of seats at the MAC to accommodate multiple cameras and a large crane, and a drone was flown inside the auditorium to capture dynamic overhead shots.
WTIU worked closely with the Jacobs School audio production team to ensure a rich auditory experience. Seventy microphones were placed strategically throughout the auditorium to capture sound from the orchestra, the stage, and the audience, producing a 5.1 stereo surround mix that makes home viewers feel as though they are seated in the theater. “It’s all a part of the mission that we have here of helping to get the good work and the talent of Indiana University beyond the walls of the campus, and who’s better suited to do that than the PBS television station that’s right here,” said Eric Bolstridge, director of content at WTIU.
Leadership from PBS’ “Great Performances” director Kevin Newbury guided the three filming days, while Todd Gould, senior producer and director at WTIU, oversaw post-production. With the ballet running roughly one hour and 38 minutes, Gould enhanced the final program with a series of behind-the-scenes vignettes and interviews, offering audiences a deeper look into the production process. “The behind-the-scenes vignettes give viewers a chance to experience this in a greater depth and detail than you would if you were just sitting in the MAC watching the show,” Gould said. “This gives you that chance to have a full, immersive experience.”
From the Page to the Stage
Whether watching IU’s “The Nutcracker” on PBS or in person at the MAC, audiences can expect a visually and musically lush experience. “I wanted our audience to feel like they’ve been taken on a magical ride,” said Janes, whose vision shaped the entire production. The elaborate stage design employs multiple projectors and physical backdrops to transport viewers to a 19th-century embassy, where young Marie first encounters the fantastical elements of the story. Later, the stage transforms into the Land of Sweets, complete with sword-fighting mice, dancing sugar plum fairies, and delicate falling snowflakes.
Costuming is equally intricate, with nearly 800 hand-crafted outfits featuring sequins, buttons, and embellishments, led by Linda Pisano, chair and professor of costume design in the Department of Theatre, Drama and Contemporary Dance at IU Bloomington’s College of Arts and Sciences. Every detail of the costumes was designed to complement the choreography and stage design, ensuring a seamless visual experience that brings Janes’ vision to life.
The story of “The Nutcracker” itself has a long history of transformation. Originally told in 1816 in a German fairytale by E.T.A. Hoffmann, the tale was later adapted by Alexandre Dumas in 1845. The first ballet adaptation premiered in Russia in 1892, with music by Tchaikovsky and choreography by Marius Petipa. Its arrival in America in the mid-20th century, championed by New York City Ballet choreographer George Balanchine, helped cement “The Nutcracker” as a holiday tradition, with CBS airing the ballet nationwide in the late 1950s. Over the decades, it has remained a beloved fixture of the season.
For IU’s version, Janes drew from the original literary sources while also reworking the choreography and structure to create a more cohesive and engaging performance. One of the key changes he implemented ensures that every character appearing in the first act also appears in the Land of Sweets, creating continuity and allowing for subtle narrative connections throughout the ballet. “There are lots of easter eggs in it, too,” Janes said. “I added a butler, who comes out in the first half and slices off a piece of cheese for the mice with this beautiful gold knife. Then in the second half, he becomes the Mouse King, and during the battle scene we see this big gold cheese knife appear. So there are all these connections everywhere, which are really lovely.”
A National Showcase of Local Talent
The national broadcast of IU’s “The Nutcracker” represents more than just a holiday special—it is a showcase of the university’s artistic excellence and a testament to the talents of faculty and students working together on a high-profile project. By leveraging the capabilities of WTIU and the Jacobs School, the production extends IU’s cultural reach far beyond Bloomington, giving audiences nationwide access to a performance that is both technically sophisticated and artistically rich.
Bolstridge emphasized the importance of public television in this endeavor, highlighting its role in bringing local talent to national audiences. “It’s all a part of the mission that we have here of helping to get the good work and the talent of Indiana University beyond the walls of the campus,” he said. This mission, combined with meticulous technical planning and creative vision, allows the production to offer viewers a multi-sensory experience that goes beyond simply watching a ballet.
The production also highlights the collaborative nature of live performance in the modern era, blending choreography, live orchestral music, advanced stagecraft, and cutting-edge filming techniques. The use of multiple camera angles, drones, and Steadicams ensures that viewers at home can experience every detail, from intricate footwork to nuanced facial expressions, in a way that was previously only possible in the theater. The 5.1 surround sound mix amplifies the feeling of immersion, creating a sense of presence that brings the MAC into viewers’ living rooms.
Maintaining Tradition While Innovating
While IU’s “The Nutcracker” honors the long-standing traditions of the holiday ballet, it also introduces innovations that make the performance feel contemporary and engaging. Janes’ choreography, Pisano’s elaborate costumes, and the intricate stage design combine to create a production that is both familiar and new. Audiences are treated to a magical experience that captures the timeless wonder of Tchaikovsky’s music while highlighting the creative contributions of IU’s students and faculty.
The attention to detail, particularly in the vignettes and behind-the-scenes content, provides viewers with insight into the complexity of producing a ballet on this scale. By showing the rehearsal process, costume preparation, and technical coordination required to bring the production to life, the broadcast offers an educational as well as an entertaining experience. It reveals the extensive teamwork, skill, and dedication involved in creating a performance worthy of national broadcast.
Bringing the Holiday Spirit Nationwide
Ultimately, the collaboration between IU and WTIU ensures that “The Nutcracker” reaches a wide audience during the holiday season, offering both entertainment and a cultural touchstone. For viewers in over 300 markets, this means access to a performance that combines professional-level artistry, innovative production techniques, and the warmth and wonder of the holiday season. Live attendees at the MAC can still secure tickets for the first two weekends of December, while at-home viewers can enjoy the immersive broadcast experience from the comfort of their own homes.
By marrying traditional ballet with modern technology and national broadcasting reach, IU’s “The Nutcracker” underscores the evolving ways in which performing arts can engage audiences. It demonstrates the potential for educational institutions, public television, and creative professionals to collaborate in bringing world-class artistic experiences to communities far beyond the walls of a single venue.
For nearly two centuries, “The Nutcracker” has captured the imaginations of audiences worldwide. Through the innovative work of Sasha Janes, Todd Gould, Eric Bolstridge, Linda Pisano, and countless students and faculty at IU, this holiday classic continues to evolve, blending tradition and innovation in a way that is both enchanting and memorable. As families gather to watch the broadcast or attend the live performances, they are participating in a living tradition that celebrates music, dance, storytelling, and the magic of the season.
