SANDPOINT — For over 20 years, residents of the region could count on the Pend Oreille Arts Council presenting “The Nutcracker” at the Panida Theater. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic happened. 

Performing arts centers closed their doors; with them went dance companies, including the one that used to help POAC bring the iconic holiday play to Sandpoint. Dyno Wahl, POAC’s board president, said the question of whether the organization could ever bring back the beloved holiday tradition was often asked. 

"We get emails and letters, especially after the local dance companies do it,” Wahl said. “They put on a great show, but they really wanted to see some professional dancers again.” 

Wahl and Tone Lund, POAC’s executive director, said that it was always a priority, but that Sandpoint’s isolated location made it a difficult sell. That was until Tim Sievers, executive director of Festival Dance, recommended Ballet Victoria, a dance company from British Columbia, that things fell into place. 

“We found Ballet Victoria through Moscow, and I’m really excited because they’ve been wonderful to work with,” Wahl said. "It’s an expensive one, but we feel good about it because we know people will buy tickets. We also feel like it’s our Christmas gift to the community.” 

Thanks to hard work and nearly $17,000 from POAC and helpful sponsors, the historic ballet is set to return to Sandpoint on the evening of Dec. 3.  

Paul Destrooper, artistic director of Ballet Victoria, said every company has its own take on “The Nutcracker,” and his company has a modern flare on the timeless classic. He described the play as humorous and like an old-style fable about a journey. 

"The story has clearly stood the test of time, so we didn’t change that too much,” Destrooper said. “The story moves a little bit, and we made it a little more relevant to today’s social etiquette and types of dances, so it has a more timeless flavor.” 

Destrooper said bringing iconic and high-quality theater productions to more isolated areas is a part of Ballet Victoria’s mission. He said “The Nutcracker” is one of the most accessible ballets for the audience and that bringing it to audiences who might have not seen it before is key. 

"I’m not trying to compete with those multi-million-dollar productions,” Destrooper said. “You never know where the next artist is going to come from, but if the students or children have not been exposed to something then they don’t know it exists." 

Helping Destrooper potentially find the next great artist is the Cocolalla Conservatory, one of the region’s newest classical ballet and dance studios. Around 12 students from the conservatory will be dancing in the production beside professionals on the Panida Theater’s stage. 

The students will primarily be seen in the party scene, but Destrooper said there will be more spots for them to make their impact on the ballet. Khandis Pettingill McClellan, artistic director at the conservatory, said she’s worked with the students to ensure they can quickly catch the choreography.

"At the beginning of the year I gave them a little notebook and pen to write down their corrections every day, and you can tell which students take that seriously,” Pettingill McClellan said. “I think this year is going to be really something special for them.” 

One thing the companies have been working on together is adapting the ballet for the Panida Theater’s smaller stage. Destrooper said the company will have to adjust once they arrive in Sandpoint because their version features lighting displays and other more cinematic elements. 

Pettingill McClellan said the opportunity for students to perform with professional dancers has them very excited for the show. Destrooper said it’s another one of his goals to connect with the local communities when he brings “The Nutcracker” to town. 

"It brings a level of trust and empowerment to each student and school,” Destrooper said. “It’s like a cake, it’s a great cake by itself, but it’s so much nicer when you have the icing, the decorations... that’s essentially what the community brings to the performance.” 

Lund said working with Ballet Victoria has been wonderful. Thanks to the routing of the company’s travels, Lune said POAC has signed a two-year deal and that the holiday tradition will continue into 2026. 

"It’s a more intimate performance being at the Pandia Theater, which is nice, so people feel like they are a part of it,” Wahl said.  “Even the seats on the balcony at the Panida are great because you can see the feet and everyone dancing.” 

Tickets are available at www.artinsandpoint.org or at the POAC Gallery on Second Avenue in downtown Sandpoint. 

    Performers from Ballet Victoria and children act out the famous party scene at an earlier "The Nutcracker" show.
  

    A promotional art piece for Ballet Victoria's performance of "The Nutcracker."
  

    Two performers from Ballet Victoria preform "The Nutcracker."