For over three decades, a single dress has become a symbol of tradition in Ballet Minnesota’s annual production of “The Classic Nutcracker.” The ankle-length burgundy dress, adorned with a pink petticoat and lace ruffles, has been worn by the ballerinas portraying Clara since 1988. Costume designer Cheryl Rist discovered the dress and modified it for the company’s first Clara. Rist continues to maintain it, ensuring it remains in excellent condition for performances.
“It’s still in good condition,” said Rist, 71, from Woodbury. She affectionately refers to the dress as “her,” emphasizing the connection she has with this iconic piece. “I have her here now at my house because I was going to iron her and get her ready.”
Rist has fond memories of finding the dress at an antique shop, although she cannot recall the specific store or its cost. “I wanted one that looks like a coat dress. On stage, it reads very well,” she explained. The choice of burgundy was intentional, as it connects Clara’s character to her family and the story’s themes.
Clara wears the dress during her godfather Drosselmeyer’s Christmas party. When she exits the stage, the dress is designed to fall away, revealing a nightgown underneath. Rist cleverly crafted the dress to allow for quick costume changes, stating, “Clara has maybe 10 seconds to get back on stage, so it had to be a drop-away dress.”
The intricate design features buttons that are actually large snaps, allowing the ballerina to swiftly shed the dress. “It’s like a trap door,” said Clara Jang, 13, one of the dancers performing as Clara this year. Another young performer, Cindy Chen, also shares the role, expressing her pride in wearing the dress. “Being able to add my name to the list makes me feel very happy,” she stated.
Rist, co-founder and director of the Classical Ballet Academy in St. Paul, has a deep connection to both the ballet and its costumes. After her dancing career was interrupted by pregnancy, she took up sewing, becoming adept at creating tutus and costumes. “I learned to sew after I became pregnant with my first child,” she recalled. “I was 28, and the doctors told me I couldn’t dance when I was pregnant.”
Although the dress has been in use for 37 years, Rist anticipates that it will remain a part of the production for several more years. “It’s still in good condition. It still looks really good on stage,” Rist noted. However, she recognizes that eventually, it will need to be replaced, a task she estimates could take up to two years to find a suitable replacement.
The dress only sees action during four performances and a single dress rehearsal each year at The O’Shaughnessy at St. Catherine University. After these events, it is cleaned and carefully stored. Each year, Rist replaces one or two other costumes in the production, focusing on preserving the integrity of the show.
Clara Jang expressed her love for the role, having been enamored with “The Nutcracker” since her early childhood. “It’s been a really special experience getting to be in this role. I feel destined to dance the role of Clara, since we share the name,” she remarked.
Ballet Minnesota’s production of “The Classic Nutcracker” will take place on December 20 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and on December 21 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available for $20 to $47 and can be purchased online at oshag.stkate.edu/events/. The enduring legacy of Clara’s dress continues to be a cherished part of this beloved holiday tradition.
