The magic of the holiday season will take centre stage in Saskatoon as the Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) brings its beloved, Canadian-themed production of ‘The Nutcracker’ to TCU Place on November 28th and 29th.
Those attending can expect lavish set and costume designs, Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, and the celebrated choreography of Galina Yordanova and Nina Menon. Each performance runs just over two hours with intermission, making it an accessible and festive outing for families.
This year’s Saskatoon shows also come with a local spotlight, with 42 young dancers from the region selected through auditions to join the professional cast, and one of them is Martensville’s own Dilana McHugh.
At just 11 years old, Dilana has already spent nearly a decade immersed in dance. She began dancing at age two and started performing solos in competitions by the time she was four. Today, she trains in a wide range of styles including ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, acro, duos, and competitive solos.
Knowing the Royal Winnipeg Ballet typically visits Saskatoon every couple of years, Dilana set her sights on auditioning, and her dedication paid off. She has been cast as one of the angels in the production and will be performing during both evening shows on November 28th and 29th.
For Dilana, this marks her first experience performing in a large-scale, professional ballet, and the excitement is palpable. She is honoured to be part of such a timeless holiday classic and thrilled to share the stage with one of her closest dance friends, who was also selected as an angel. With dreams of becoming a professional dancer in the future, this opportunity is a meaningful step forward.
With strong community participation, dazzling choreography, and a story that has enchanted generations, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s return promises to be a magical kickoff to Saskatoon’s holiday season, and a particularly proud moment for Martensville as young Dilana takes her well-deserved place under the stage lights.
