Ben Earman and Peggy Hewett [Photo: Kaila Jones]

The annual Tea Up for the Nutcracker fundraiser to benefit Ballet Vero Beach took on quite a different look this year. Thanks to the pandemic, it was offered as a Digital Preview Party highlighted by a delightful behind-the-scenes documentary about the filming of Nutcracker on the Indian River.

Faced with the prospect of not being able to produce an in-person production of their remarkable Nutcracker on the Indian River, BVB took on the herculean task of building a dance floor and filming the production on the Indian River Land Trust’s newly acquired Hoffmann property – quite literally on the Indian River Lagoon.

“Our mission at Ballet Vero Beach is to promote the art of dance as a universal language in our community and beyond,” said Adam Schnell, BVB artistic director and CEO. “We do that with performances by our resident company, the presentation of other reputable national and international dance artists, and also through our education and community engagement initiatives.”

Acknowledging that 2020 had been a “very rough and strange year,” Schnell thanked his board, volunteers and donors for their continued support, noting later that a Nutcracker Partners Campaign outpaced their goal.

“The fact that you all have made the commitment to step up and say that the arts matter, even in these challenging times, really has kept me, our dancers and our sister company going during this time,” said Schnell. “We just don’t sit still at Ballet Vero Beach, and that’s only because of you all and your support.”

The digital version of the Tea Up fundraiser was a multi-part affair that included a jewelry piece raffle donated by Leigh Jewelers, a curated online auction, and a swag bag of goodies.

Viewers were also treated to a preview of one of the pieces in the Program 1 January production, Chamber Music: Sweeping Dance. It was a playful work called “While There’s Still Music,” choreographed by ballet master Camilo A. Rodriguez, and danced by Rodriguez, and resident professionals Katherine Eppink and Anders Southerland. All three are also featured Nutcracker dancers.

The wonderful documentary, which they plan to eventually post on the BVB website, included mini-interviews with some of the numerous people involved, such as Ken Gruden, executive director of the Indian River Land Trust, BVB board member Kelly Ward, and Emily Luongo, assistant technical director at Riverside Theatre, who against all odds constructed a 40-foot square sprung floor for the dancers.

Many of the dancers spoke of their personal experiences, commenting on some of the difficult weather-related challenges, but most of all sharing the ultimate joy of being able to perform in such a gorgeous setting as one with nature.

“It was an amazing experience,” said Eppink, echoing the sentiments of everyone involved.

Thanks to generous donors, the Nutcracker on the Indian River film will be shown free on the BVB website from 7:30 p.m. Dec. 23 through Jan. 6. It will also be broadcast Dec. 22 on South Florida PBS.

BVB is “cautiously optimistic” about returning to the Vero Beach High School PAC with Program 1, Chamber Music: Sweeping Dance, taking place (with full safety protocols) at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16; and 2 p.m. (Family Friendly Performance) Jan. 17. BVB will also offer a filmed digital option.

For tickets or more information visit balletverobeach.org.