I've been photographing the stage production of Ballet Misha's Nutcracker for a few years. Last year, in addition to the performance, I wanted something different, so I asked their artistic director, Amy Fortier, whether I could photograph what happens beyond the stage. She agreed and gave me full license to explore and visually document.
Given my other photographic duties (i.e., the performances), this work only shows the moments of backstage life before and in between shows. It ignores the hundreds of hours of planning, preparations, rehearsals, costume fittings, moving and setting props, et al.; as well as the general chaos that occurs everywhere outside those few hundred square feet of stage floor during the performances.
As in any performing art, however, the vast majority of work happens off the stage, and here is a tiny glimpse of that life.
PS: Their 2017 production is December 16 & 17.
