New York, NY — A film born from constraint, fueled by imagination, and brought to life in the heart of Manhattan made its debut as The Nutcracker at Wethersfield, a new documentary, premiered at the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD). The evening—graciously supported by arts champion Barbara Tober—celebrated one of the most inspiring artistic undertakings to come out of the pandemic.
The documentary captures a chapter of dance history few could have envisioned: the staging of the first full-length Nutcracker in the United States during the COVID-19 lockdown. At a time when theaters across the nation shuttered and dancers found themselves barred from their studios, Troy Schumacher, Artistic Director of Ballet Collective, refused to accept artistic paralysis.
“It was illegal to dance,” Schumacher reflects in the film. “We were doing all our ballet routines in our kitchens, isolated.”
Everything changed with a serendipitous visit to the Wethersfield Estate, a sprawling 1,000-acre property in rural New York. What began as a simple walk-through quickly became a spark of creative possibility.
Wethersfield Director Tara Shafer recalls the pivotal moment:
“Just by coincidence we came into the house and Troy stopped and said, ‘Are we in the set of The Nutcracker right now?’”
That question launched an extraordinary experiment. Over the next five weeks, a rotating ensemble of New York City Ballet dancers—Sara Mearns, Taylor Stanley, Mira Nadon, Ashley Laracey, Erica Pereira, Claire von Enck, Emma von Enck, Gabriella Domini, Malorie Lundgren, Davide Riccardo, Mary Elizabeth Sell, and Tyler Angle—quarantined together, underwent constant testing, and created a safe bubble that allowed them to rehearse legally.
Their temporary home became their stage. The estate’s grand salons, intimate corridors, candlelit gardens, and wintry landscapes transformed into a fully immersive world where the story of The Nutcracker unfolded for live audiences.
The project culminated in seventeen intimate, sold-out performances. But the most remarkable part of the story lies in who those audiences were.
Director Anne Sundberg shared the extraordinary generosity that shaped the event:
“Almost nobody who invested in the production used their tickets… One of our underwriters said, ‘Find the phlebotomist who has worked the hardest, the teachers teaching on Zoom, the people stocking grocery shelves—and invite their families.’”
The performances became a gift to those who carried rural communities through the height of the crisis. For them, this Nutcracker was more than a holiday tradition—it was a moment of respite, gratitude, and collective healing.
A Tribute to Art’s Power to Endure
The Nutcracker at Wethersfield stands as a reminder that creativity thrives even in the most challenging circumstances. It honors dancers who refused to let their craft go dormant, benefactors whose generosity uplifted a community, and the enduring ability of art to bring people together when it is needed most.
More information is available at nutcrackerfilm.com.
About Wethersfield Estate & Garden
Set amid the rolling hills of New York State, Wethersfield Estate encompasses 1,000 acres of manicured gardens, historic architecture, a seven-acre “wilderness” garden, and over 20 miles of equestrian and hiking trails. Designed in 1939 by architect L. Bancel LaFarge, the Georgian-Revival home was created for philanthropist Chauncey Stillman, who envisioned a sanctuary dedicated to beauty, conservation, and classical arts.
Today, the Wethersfield Foundation carries forward that mission by supporting sustainable land stewardship, habitat preservation, innovative horticulture, and cultural programming. The estate is also home to a carriage museum featuring 22 antique carriages and welcomes visitors year-round to experience its landscape and artistic heritage.
Learn more at wethersfield.org.
