‘Nutcracker’ this weekend signifies changes at ballet

The Springfield Ballet and Springfield Symphony Orchestra are joining for six performances of the Tchaikovsky classic at Landers Theatre, 311 E. Walnut St.

This year’s shows mark the first time in more than a decade that Springfield Ballet’s annual performance has included accompaniment from the Springfield Symphony.

The partnership is no accident – it’s the result of a new spirit of cooperation that has swept through area arts organizations in recent years. That cooperation could help reduce both donor fatigue and operating costs, according to ballet board member Gary Buzbee.

“There are things we can do in common,” Buzbee said of the area’s arts groups. “At the Landers, with the (Springfield Regional) Opera, the ballet and the (Springfield) Little Theater, if all the programs could be the same, and we just made an insert for each show, we’d save a ton of money on printing. We need to look at common expenses and see if we can group together; that will not only save us money but benefit our product as well.”

Performances of “The Nutcracker” are at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sunday; performances also will run on the same schedule next weekend. For ticket information, call the Landers box office at (417) 869-1334.

See SBJ’s Dec. 18 issue for more on changes at Springfield Ballet.