[ # WALTZ OF THE FLOWE - [LAUREN]: Hello, and welcome to State of the Artz, a series dedicated to highlighting diffe and cultural events happening in Tucson and Southern Arizona.

I'm your host, Lauren Roth.

And today we're at the Tucson Convent to learn more about Ballet Tucson's produc of "The Nutcracker."

This year, the Ballet Tucson with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra to bring "The Nutcracker" to life.

This award-winning production comes just in time for the holiday season.

Joining me now to talk more about "The Nutcracker" is Margaret Mullen, Artistic Director of Ballet Tucso Thank you for speaking with me today.

- [MARGARET]: Thank you so This is such - [LAUREN]: Can you tell what makes "The Nu - [MARGARET]: Oh gosh, there are so many things that make "The Nutcracker" special.

It's a production in a variety of ways.

Many versions throughout the world, but it's around for a very, very long ti you know, well over 100 years.

So it has a clear appeal to families and people of all ages.

It's a beloved tradition for everyone in our community and we're so happy to be a part of people's holiday tra - [LAUREN]: Well, we're happy yo traditions here in Tucson too.

I am the Concert Master of the Tucson Symphony and I'm particularly interested in the collaboration that started last year, as I understand it, between Ballet Tucson and the Tucson Symphony Orchestra.

So share a little bit about maybe how it came to be and what makes it - [MARGARET]: Yes, we are so proud to be partnering with the It 's such a pleasure to w And having live music, this incredible it just makes it even more magical.

One of the things that makes this partnership so sp is that it really ties int the fact that this is Tucson's "Nutcrac It's Tucson's Ballet Company, Tucson Symphony Orchestra, us working together to bri a magical experience to ou I think there's really just not So we are just so pr - [LAUREN]: Tell me about this costume, what, um, who might wear it and where it is featured i -[ MARGARET]: Yes, we have beautiful costumes sets for this production.

We're very proud of And this is the De We actually have two Dew Drop Fairi Waltz of the Flowers, whic just such a striking tutu.

And there are many of - [LAUREN]: What can audience members expect from attending performances of "The Nutcracker" with our very own Ballet Tucson?

- [MARGARET]: I think people can expect a world-class experien That's something that I hope ab out our arts and culture scen is that we have world-class art right here in Tucson through Tucson Symphony Orchestra, through our professional an d of course, our students are excepti You know, people do not have to travel to see great art.

They get to stay right here in their own community, celebrate the holidays with their families, and get to see some, a really extraord produced by world-class artists through the symphony and through the ballet.

- [LAUREN]: As a musician and a I cannot fall in love more with Tchaikovsky's music.

So that's always a treat too, for those that love the ballet, thos Tchaikovsky's music.

It's a perfect pairing.

- [MARGARET]: Ye It's incre My favorite scene is the s It's just, I think, absolutely magical, but yeah, it's such a pleasure to have, again, just such extraordinary And it's really two pillars of the arts c coming together to create one great experience for Tucsonans.

- [LAUREN]: Thank you so much for speaking with me, Margaret.

It's a pleasure, and we all look forward t Ballet Tucson and Tucson Symphony Orchest collaboration of "The Nutcracker," December 21st to 23rd.

[ # DANCE OF THE REED PIPES - TCHAIKOVSK [LAUREN]: It's a pleasure now to be joined by a baller by a ballerina herself, Miss Evangeline.

Thanks for joining me Evangeline, tell me a little bit about your experience with Ballet Tucson.

How long have you been a ballerina - [EVANGELINE]: I think for three years or four.

- [LAUREN]: Already?

And is of "The Nutcracker?"

- [EVANGELINE]: - [LAUREN]: Evan - [EVANGELINE]: I really like that I can spend some time on the stage with my friends.

- [LAUREN]: What will you be performing, in this production of - [EVANGELINE]: Mouse and Angel.

- [LAUREN]: Mouse and And are thos - [EVANGELINE]: Um, no.

- [LAUREN]: Because yo What is your favorite part about being a mouse and an angel on stage?

- [EVANGELINE]: I like to do the jumps a lot.

- [LAUREN]: What kind of jumps do you do?

- [EVANGELINE]: Like, I'll show Li ke that.

- [LAUREN]: Tell me about what it's like to work with your fr - [EVANGELINE]: Well, it's really fun.

Like, we make some good in the studio together.

- [LAUREN]: What do you really like about "The Nutcracker" s and the tradition of doing it e - [EVANGELINE]: I really like to do all the costumes.

I like all the fashion they have in them.

- [LAUREN]: The fashion?

What sorts of fash do you g - [EVANGELINE]: I like to, I ge and fluffy stuff around my neck.

- [LAUREN]: Thanks for talking with me today Evangeline.

- [EVANGELINE]: Thank you.

- [LAUREN]: You'll have your chance to see "The Nutcracker" starting December 21st with five shows through December 23rd.

A world of wonder awaits you at Ballet Tucson's "The Nutcracker."

Thanks for joining me today.

I'm Lauren Roth, and we'll se [ # UPBEAT MUSIC # ]