In the weeks leading up to its annual production of The Nutcracker, Providence鈥檚 Festival Ballet Providence discovered that a large number of costumes and costume parts鈥攊ncluding the Nutcracker鈥檚 mask and the Sugar Plum Fairy鈥檚 tutu鈥攈ad been stolen, . Thanks to the help of ballet companies across the U.S., the show was able to kick off as planned on December 16.
Festival Ballet Providence鈥檚 artistic director Misha Djuric told AP that in November, he discovered 57 costumes and costume parts were missing from a warehouse in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. According to the report, the handmade costumes embellished with Swarovski crystals are valued at about $30,000. Police are now investigating the theft.
Following the discovery, Djuric鈥檚 plan of action was to call ballet companies nationwide that had already finished their runs of Nutcracker and ask if he could borrow their costumes. Instead, in a testament to the uniting power of the performing arts, ballet companies around the country began reaching out to him and offering their help.
According to AP, ensembles in Ohio, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Illinois, Missouri, Alabama, New York, and New Hampshire sent costumes and props to Providence, charging only minimal fees for shipping, warehouse restocking, and costume cleaning.
Performances of The Nutcracker continue through December 18. Watch the trailer for the production below:
