Clara and the Rats in The Nutcracker. 2023. PC: Chelsea Fine

The holiday season on Maui wouldn’t be complete without the magic of Alexander Academy’s The Nutcracker Ballet. This December, the beloved production returns to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center for its fourth annual performance. Since 2021, The Sewing Hui, led by Jennifer Oberg, has partnered with the academy to bring stunning costumes to life for this special production. Together, they’ve built a tradition rooted in creativity, connection, and a shared commitment to creating high-quality artistic opportunities for Maui’s youth and community. The evolution of this annual production is one rooted in resilience, dedication, and camaraderie.

The Snow Queen and the Snow Corps. 2023. PC: Chelsea Fine

The Costume Shop Behind the Costuming

The Sewing Hui has played an important role in the production through crafting intricate and original costumes for the cast of over 200 dancers. Under Jennifer Oberg’s leadership, The Sewing Hui’s volunteers have poured countless hours into crafting original costumes that bring the production’s beloved characters to life. Both resident and visitor volunteers have joined The Sewing Hui in creating these costumes.

Mother Ginger designed by Sophia Gallegos and made by The Sewing Hui 2021. PC: Chelsea Fine.

In 2021, when Danelle first approached Jennifer to collaborate with Alexander Academy on costumes for The Nutcracker Ballet, Jennifer was thrilled at the opportunity to return to designing for the performing arts. With years of experience creating costumes for operas, theaters, films, and television in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles, she was excited to bring her expertise back to this kind of work—this time, on Maui.

Drosselmeyer in the party scene. 2023. PC: Chelsea Fine.

The Nutcracker Ballet marked a pivotal moment for both The Sewing Hui and Alexander Academy. It became an opportunity to offer a joyful tradition for the students of Alexander Academy, the volunteers of The Sewing Hui, and the larger Maui community. The Sewing Hui had been spending the last year focused on mask making to respond to the covid-19 pandemic. Alexander Academy had been navigating the evershifting pandemic restrictions to accommodate students in-person and online. As covid-19 restrictions began to ease up, The Nutcracker Ballet became the perfect silver lining for the community to move forward with hope, resilience, and joy. 

The Sewing Hui volunteers: Back Row - Randy Keller, Diana Woods, Gail Pickholz, Terry Heller, Nancy Betts, Micah Oberg, Lynne Donaldson; Middle Row - Pamela Patrick, Debbie Shimabukuro, Jennifer Oberg, Elaine Gima, Patty Davis; Front Row - Salena Makia, Vicki Shortell. PC: Tad Craig

This year, The Sewing Hui brings even more visual magic to the stage with new costume designs. Highlights include updates to the Angel costumes, inspired by the intricate art of quilling, the Snow Corps, the Snow Queen, and the Russian Dancer costumes. Many beautiful new creations you don’t want to miss

Party girls in The Nutcracker Ballet. 2023. PC: Chelsea Fine.

From Humble Beginnings to the MACC

The Nutcracker’s first staging in 2021 exemplified Alexander Academy’s resilience and determination to overcome obstacles. Navigating the ever-changing COVID-19 restrictions, Director Danelle Keenan was steadfast in her commitment to making the production a reality. She recognized its importance for the students, who had endured a challenging year filled with disappointments and disruptions caused by the pandemic. This production offered them a much-needed sense of hope and something to look forward to. Amid the logistical challenges, Danelle and her husband transformed their half-built home in Kula into an open-air theater, ensuring the show could go on safely.

Rehearsing in the open-air theater for the first Nutcracker Ballet. 2021. PC: Jennifer Oberg

Venue logistics weren’t the only challenges faced during Alexander Academy’s first presentation of The Nutcracker. While the audience and part of the stage were covered, the dressing rooms were completely exposed. Several performances enjoyed clear, sunny weather, but midway through the second act of one show, a sudden downpour disrupted the production. The dressing rooms were drenched, and the stage was soaked. The performance paused as volunteers scrambled to dry the stage using every available towel. Meanwhile, dancers wrung out their ballet slippers and adjusted to impromptu choreography and costume changes with humor and camaraderie.

Dancers dancing barefoot during the second act. 2021. PC: Chelsea Fine.

Despite torrential downpours, the dancers and the audience embodied the spirit of community and the true meaning of the live performing arts. Everyone was incredibly supportive–the volunteers, the dancers, the audience members. By the end, the dancers performed barefoot, seamlessly adapting to the situation with smiles as they made light of the situation. Despite the challenges faced, the experience added a unique and inspiring magic to The Nutcracker, highlighting the community’s dedication to the arts, Maui’s youth, and live performance.

Dancing barefoot after the rain storm. 2021. PC: Chelsea Fine

Since then, the production has grown immensely, moving to Seabury Hall’s ʻAʻaliʻikūhonua Creative Arts Center in 2022 and finally to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in 2023. This year’s Nutcracker will be held at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center for a second year and promises to deliver even more magic as it continues to celebrate the performing arts and the abundance of talent here on Maui.

Celebrate Maui’s Talent

For Alexander Academy and The Sewing Hui, The Nutcracker represents more than a dance performance—it’s about community and resilience. The past four years have demonstrated the beauty and strength in what can be achieved when we come together.

The Soldiers and the Rats in The Nutcracker Ballet. 2023. PC: Chelsea Fine. 

Experience the magic of The Nutcracker on December 14 and 15, 2024, at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Tickets are available here. Don’t miss this inspiring holiday tradition that celebrates Maui’s talent, creativity, and the enduring power of community spirit.

The Alexander Academy Snow Corp. dancers hugging after their performance, seen from above the stage. (2022) PC: Micah Oberg