The Nutcracker, as danced by the National Ballet of Canada, has long been a holiday favourite. The ballet, written by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1892, tells the story of a child's magical Christmas Eve. The tradition of attending the Nutcracker ballet has been passed down from parents who experienced it as children and are now continuing the tradition by taking their own children to the performance.
Joy Alma, Toronto Region Program and Volunteer Coordinator at Autism Ontario, is one of those parents, long participating with her children in the National Ballet of Canada's Youth, Outreach, and Understanding Dance (YOU) performances. These performances are sensory-friendly and relaxed events, perfect for her sons Ryder and Magnus. "I've been taking my children to see YOU dance performances since they were babies," she says. "We used to go as kids; the Nutcracker's always been my favourite."
Joy was pleasantly surprised when she received an invitation from The National Ballet of Canada to participate in a performance of The Nutcracker earlier this week, specifically as The Cannon Doll. To watch the performance, Joy brought with her 75 attendees – kids and youth – from Autism Ontario, along with Magnus. "Of all the things I ever thought I'd do, dancing with the National Ballet was not one of them. It was an honour, and I am so proud I was selected to represent Autism Ontario."
Appearing as the Cannon Doll during the Nutcracker's performance by the ballet is an honour given to distinguished individuals and groups. Past honourees have included Celine Dion, Toronto Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, former Leafs Captain Mats Sundin,
former Toronto Raptors stars Kyle Lowry and Matt Thomas, actress Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Astronaut Chris Hadfield, former Mayor of Toronto John Tory, CBC TV's Rick Mercer, author Margaret Atwood, musician Steven Page, broadcaster Ron MacLean, and champion figure skater Kurt Browning.
"I was so nervous," Joy says. "I told Magnus that when I made the sign which meant, "I love you." He told me after the show, 'I saw you make the sign, Mom.'"