Sunday, Nov. 8, Canvas Ballet performed their showcase of “The Nutcracker” in the Sadler Center’s Commonwealth Auditorium.
Founded in the spring of 2025, Canvas Ballet is the only non-audition, student-led ballet company at the College of William and Mary. The group is dedicated to creating a supportive space for anyone interested in ballet, regardless of prior experience, through both open and company classes.
The Sunday showcase featured ten excerpts from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” ballet to kick off the holiday season. The show combined group and solo performances, each of which was entirely student-choreographed, student-performed and, for the first time in the company’s history, fully costumed.
Through complex choreography, classic musical scores and intricate costumes, the dancers captivated audience members, pulling them into a nostalgic holiday reverie. The short performances allowed the company to dance to several of the ballet’s most well-known compositions, making the showcase a lively and engaging event.
Attendees like Katie DiLorenzo ’30 enjoyed the performance and could tell that the dancers had practiced hard. For another attendee, Amelia Moore ’30, this performance was her first time seeing the company’s work.
“I thought it was great. I loved that it was student-led and everybody seemed very passionate,” Moore said.
Moore particularly enjoyed the “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” choreographed by Blakely Bryant ’28, artistic director and head of the company’s executive board.
The showcase drew a crowd of students and parents alike who came to support their peers and family members.
Avery Johnston ’27 came out to support Bryant, her close friend. She enjoyed the addition of costumes and noted that she loves The Nutcracker ballet.
Johnston’s favorite dance was “Candy Canes,” choreographed by Tiara Barlow ’27.
The Canvas Ballet’s dancers rehearsed weekly to prepare for the showcase, often dedicating long hours and weekends. During this time, the group cultivated a welcoming and inclusive environment that encouraged members of all experience levels to engage with the art of ballet and grow their skills.
Izzie Moser ’30 recently joined Canvas Ballet and performed in multiple dances on Sunday. Moser spoke to the friendly nature of the group, spearheaded by Bryant.
“It’s so positive and uplifting, and a lot of times in the ballet world, that is not always the case,” Moser said. “I am really grateful that we have a group that inspires each other to do better and nobody is pushing each other down.”
Moser also spoke to the organization’s ability to bring joy back into one of her old passions, which she had quit during high school.
“It was really great to be able to re-approach ballet in a positive manner where it was much more chill and much more about having fun, not being perfect, but still being able to improve and then do a performance,” she said.
Mary Vernon ’30 also performed in multiple dances during Sunday’s event. Vernon described the process of planning and rehearsing for the showcase, a task that started in September. Vernon noted that much of the planning was led by Bryant with the help of other executive board members.
“It was a lot of Saturday practices, a lot of rigorous rehearsals and a lot of constant practicing and constant rehearsing,” Vernon said.
Throughout these rehearsals, Vernon grew close with her fellow dancers and began to appreciate the company’s welcoming nature.
“My favorite part was the group of girls that I was doing it with. Everybody here is so supportive, they’re so sweet and I honestly wouldn’t have done it with any other group. Everybody made sure we were all okay, everybody made sure that we had everything backstage that we needed and it was just a great environment to be in,” she said.
