Nutcracker Costumes Stolen From Pawtucket Storage Facility
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Nutcracker costumes from Festival Ballet Providence's Nutcracker productions have been stolen from a Pawtucket warehouse less than a month before the show.
"We have been dealt a significant blow, but I'm confident that this year's production will be as magnificent as ever," said Mihailo Djuric, FBP's Artistic Director, in a statement.
The items were discovered missing last week as the company makes its final preparations for the December production, which has been performed for nearly 40 years.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAmong the items missing is the costume and mask for The Nutcracker, and handmade tutus, including one of three tutus for the Sugar Plum Fairy.
“This is a terrible loss, especially considering the community tradition we have established with this beloved production, but we are pushing ahead and finding creative solutions. The show will go on," added Djuric.
The costumes have been stored in the same location for over ten years and the company believed the space to be secure.
The Cost
Festival Ballet is still totaling the losses and said an exact estimate cannot be immediately assessed.
“Every one of these costumes was made by hand, and sewing something like a Tutu for a principal dancer takes a tremendous amount of time and talent," Djuric said.
Every soloist and principal tutu cost approximately $600. Replacement costs for custom crafted headpieces like The Nutcracker mask are estimated at over $2,000.
The Show is Still Pn
As soon as the theft was discovered, Djuric started contacting other ballet companies from around the country to see what is available to borrow and which costumes would be best to fill in the ones that were stolen.
“The ballet world is an incredibly tight-knit community and we are so grateful for the outpouring of support that we have already seen from ballet companies willing to step in and help. The Nutcracker is a staple in almost every ballet company, so they understand what we’re going through," said Djuric.
The Nutcracker takes place at Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC), December 16-18, 2016.
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