Every year, several hundred costumes must be repaired and adjusted in Les Grands Ballets’ Costumes Workshop. Discover the steps of this colossal work, from the refurbishing of tutus to full dress rehearsals.
The Nutcracker ballet by Fernand Nault showcases no less than 165 characters on stage, interpreted by different casts during multiple shows. Around 400 costumes must be prepared each year in the workshops. Created by François Barbeau in 1987, for the 30th anniversary of Les Grands Ballets, they need to be restored regularly in order to keep their splendor and integrity. One tutu alone can represent up to 320 hours of work!
Step inside the Costumes’ Workshop
Mélanie Ferrero leads the Grands Ballets’ Costumes’ Workshop and gives us an insider’s look at how the magic comes to life behind the scenes. Passion and patience are the required skills for the seamstresses that join Les Grands Ballets' costume workshop team for The Nutcracker season!
The refurbishing of tutus is made possible by The Nutcracker Fund, thanks to our sponsors and the public who contribute to the fund with each ticket purchase.
Before the show: dress rehearsals
Many steps take place before audiences can fully immerse themselves into the show’s experience at the theatre. First, different parts of the choreography are practiced individually, with the company breaking into smaller groups and using all three of our large studios for rehearsals.
About a week before the premiere, the young dancers and children who join the company for The Nutcracker season come to our studios for the first rehearsals with our dancers. After some practice and getting to know each other, we add costumes and gather everyone in our largest studio to run through the choreography from A to Z, just like if it were on stage.
Only after all these steps are accomplished do we finally move to the theater, just days before the premiere, to rehearse the show with lights, sets, costumes and music!
Take a peek at the rehearsal process for The Nutcracker as our dancers prepare Act II in costume in our studios.
About the costumes designer: François Barbeau
Born in Montreal, François Barbeau (1935-2016) gained worldwide recognition for his talent in costume design for theatre, film, television and dance. He received the Order of Canada, the country’s highest distinction, as well as the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award. Among dance companies, Les Grands Ballets has made the most frequent use of his talents. He has designed costumes for John Butler’s Catulli Carmina (1968 and 1986); Fernand Nault’s Carmina Burana (1966 and 1998), Les Sept Péchés Capitaux (1978) and Tommy (1970). In 1987, for the 30th anniversary of Les Grands Ballets, François Barbeau created the marvellous costumes of The Nutcracker, which will dazzle audiences again this year.
“For 14 years, I had the privilege of working very closely with François Barbeau. He managed to share with us, the people working in Les Grands Ballets’ Costumes’ Workshop, a way of creating that allows dancers to inhabit their characters and their costumes in a way that is more authentic. Mr. Barbeau left us, but The Nutcracker and his legacy will live on and continue to shine, like he would have wanted.”
— Melanie Ferrero, Head of Wardrobe
