The Hamilton Academy of Performing Arts highlights why this ballet remains central to the holiday season, year after year
The Nutcracker isn’t just a ballet—it's a timeless tradition, a cornerstone of the holiday season that continues to captivate audiences year after year. With its themes of imagination, connection, and transformation, it has a way of resonating across generations, drawing people into a world of wonder.
For over 23 years, the Hamilton Academy of Performing Arts has been connecting people through ballet. Dec. 6 and 7, 2024 marks their 10th annual rendition of The Nutcracker at the McIntyre Performing Arts Centre, blending classic elements with creative touches to create a memorable experience.
Melania Pawliw, co-founder and artistic director of the Hamilton Academy of Performing Arts, shared how for many families, The Nutcracker is a holiday tradition and a first step into the world of live theatre. “For young audiences, The Nutcracker is usually their first introduction to the ballet,” said Pawliw.
For young audiences, The Nutcracker is usually their first introduction to the ballet.
Melania Pawliw, Co-Founder and Artistic Director
Hamilton Academy of Performing Arts
Tchaikovsky’s iconic score and the enchanting story of Clara and her Nutcracker Prince invite audiences to dream, telling a tale that feels as fresh as it does familiar. Pawliw shared that while The Nutcracker is performed year-round in Europe, in North America it has become synonymous with the holiday season, embodying a sense of community and celebration. “[In Europe] it’s just a ballet like any other ballet.” said Pawliw.
What makes the Hamilton Academy’s production distinct is its ability to marry tradition with accessibility. “Any ballet we do, we stay close to the original storyline and choreography,” shared Pawliw, “We always adapt the choreography to add so many new parts, because it creates more opportunity for children to be in the production.”
Drawing inspiration from Vasily Vainonen’s original choreography, this rendition introduces fresh elements such as a live orchestra and choir, elevating the performance in new and exciting ways. “We always look for ways to expand the production.” explained Pawliw.
Community involvement is at the core of the Hamilton Academy’s approach. With over 100 roles available, dancers from Hamilton and surrounding areas audition to take part, including both young students and seasoned professionals. This mix of backgrounds creates a unique environment where children can gain experience that inspires personal and artistic growth.
Pawliw shared that the most rewarding part of her job is watching young dancers evolve from smaller roles to leading characters over time.
For those new to ballet, The Nutcracker presents a lively and immersive experience. “It’s a holiday celebration that brings people together,” said Pawliw. From the elegance of the Sugar Plum Fairy’s dance to the mesmerizing Waltz of the Snowflakes, every detail is designed to delight. The live orchestra brings Tchaikovsky’s score to life, surrounding the audience with the richness of his timeless music.
It's a holiday celebration that brings people together.
Melania Pawliw, Co-Founder and Artistic Director
Hamilton Academy of Performing Arts
As the Hamilton Academy of Performing Arts continues its annual tradition of bringing The Nutcracker to life, it reaffirms the arts’ power to connect and inspire. They have not only kept the tradition of The Nutcracker alive but have also expanded its impact, making the ballet a shared experience that connects people through the beauty of performance and the holiday spirit.
The Nutcracker invites everyone to celebrate the season’s joy together. Performances will take place on Dec. 6, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 7, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.. Don’t miss this classic holiday tradition!
The Holiday Market has quickly become a beloved tradition, bringing good cheer and holiday spirit to campus
The McMaster Holiday Market took place in the arts quad and McMaster University Student Centre from Nov. 25 to 28, 2024 and was open from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. each day. Speakers playing holiday music and a variety of light displays were set up around the arts quad to create a festive atmosphere. This event was run as a collaboration between the MSU, MSU Campus Events, the Alumni Association and the Student Success Centre.
The market had vendors both outdoors in wooden cabins and at tables in the student centre. MSU Campus Events offered student vendor tables for $10 per day and advertised the application form on their Instagram in early November.
In an interview with The Silhouette, Thomas Saab, the MSU Campus Events director, shared that the planning for the market starts in September. “I meet with AVTEK and we go over, we walk through the space and based on our notes last year look at what we want to change as far as the decorations and the layout, so all the physical spaces,” said Saab. The next stage of planning involves coordinating with the SSC and Alumni Association to plan entertainment and activities.
According to Saab, new to the market this year are fireplaces and propane heaters, additional decorations and a snow machine. “I love the snow machine. I think it adds a completely new layer to the event. It just makes it a little bit more magical. That was my vision going in, I wanted to go from a cute little event to a magical event,” said Saab.
I love the snow machine. I think it adds a completely new layer to the event. It just makes it a little bit more magical. That was my vision going in, I wanted to go from a cute little event to a magical event.
Thomas Saab, Director
MSU Campus Events
New programming for the event includes a live reindeer petting zoo, taking place this afternoon and a screening of Home Alone happening tonight at 7:00 p.m. in the Hub. This year’s market also featured live ice sculpture carving and caroling performances from members of the McMaster University Choirs.
The SSC partnered with Hospitality Services to offer a special Taste of Home menu, available at La Piazza from Nov. 25 to 29. The SSC asked international and exchange students to submit traditional dishes from different cultures. The selected dishes were rajma chawal, jollof rice with chicken and plaintain, lasagna Bolognese and stir-fried beef noodles
The SSC also set up a wood and plexiglass dome in the arts quad, which served as a spot for students to take photos. Students could enter a draw to win a dinner in the dome through a form on the SSC website. The winning student got to enjoy dishes from the Taste of Home menu with three of their friends.
Saab shared he had hoped to include a maple taffy station. “We wanted to do maple taffy [like in] the old village and Quebec. We wanted to include that but it wasn’t within the budget this year so hopefully next year we’ll be able to add that as a fun snack for students,” said Saab. Saab estimated that the MSU contributed over $20,000 towards the budget for the market.
With its impressive array of decorations, vendors, food and activities, the McMaster Holiday Market is a must-visit event. Stop by the arts quad today to kick off your holiday season!
Advice from holiday movie characters on how to spend this winter break
With COVID-19 restrictions heightening around Ontario and beyond, this holiday break will be like no other. Thankfully, some of our favourite holiday movie characters are prepared with tips on how to manage this winter break.
The Grinch: Create a daily routine
To manage the long days spent in his cave, the Grinch follows a daily routine (though he always stays flexible for special events).
4:00 – Wallow in self-pity
4:30 – Stare into the abyss
5:00 – Solve world hunger (tell no one)
5:30 – Jazzercise
6:00 – Dinner with me (can’t cancel that again!)
7:00 – Wrestle with my self-loathing
Creating a daily routine is helpful while staying home and will benefit your physical and mental health. Though parts of the Grinch’s schedule are not ideal, he definitely has the right idea in scheduling time for exercise and eating. Making your own daily routine may help to ease some uncertainty while staying at home this winter.
Buddy the Elf: Find some at-home entertainment
From snowball fights in the park to covering the house in a ridiculously large number of paper snowflakes, Buddy from Elf has some great ideas on how to stay entertained at home this holiday break. Why not try some elf-inspired recipes while you’re at it (spaghetti and maple syrup, anyone?).
Some Buddy-inspired activities include: building a snowman, having a snowball fight, making winter-themed decorations to hang them up in your room, trying a new recipe (or inventing one) and building a gingerbread house.
Kevin McCallister: Have a movie marathon
Kevin McCallister from Home Alone infamously uses old movies as ammunition in his fight against the burglars trying to break into his home. Why not kick back (with a tall ice cream sundae) and have a classic movie marathon for yourself? You could also invite a few friends to watch with services such as Zoom, Skype and Teleparty.
The Miser Brothers: Call a friend or relative
The title characters of The Year Without a Santa Claus are brothers in conflict who use video chat to reconnect from inside their caves. Though this winter may not be conducive to gathering with friends and family, setting up video chats and phone calls is a great way to connect and catch up with family and friends.
Cindy Lou Who: Support your community
Cindy Lou Who is a young girl who bravely refuses to leave the Grinch out of the Whoville holiday celebrations. It is easy to feel disconnected while isolating at home but as Cindy Lou shows, it can be mutually rewarding to support your community. Whether you check-in on your neighbours or support local small businesses, reaching out to your community is a great way to feel connected and spread positivity.
Tell us about your winter favourites and we’ll tell you what holiday movie best represents your life
With exam season quickly approaching, you are one last hurdle away from the winter break — congratulations! Take some time for yourself to enjoy the outdoors, spend time with loved ones and recharge before next semester. When you inevitably take a break and start scrolling through Netflix, we’ll tell you which movie you’ll find yourself emotionally projecting onto this year!
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