Photos: Behind the scenes at a 'Dream' of a Nutcracker

Last week, the St. Paul Ballet staged six sold out performances of ''Clara's Dream,'' made up of excerpts from "The Nutcracker" ballet. Tchaikovsky's music is the same, but the choreography was done by the company's artistic director, Zoe Henrot.

Photographer Caroline Yang has been following the company for the last two years, documenting their development as an artist-run ballet. The unusual organizational structure means the dancers also handle the administration.

Yang was drawn to the group when she heard dancing one day above her head while she was in the hardware store. Since she began the project, the organization has grown significantly. The company has nearly doubled in size, and the school has expanded as well. They have added another studio on Fairview Avenue north of University Avenue, in addition to the original Grand Avenue studio above Ace Hardware.

This is the third year the company has performed the holiday show. The production involves 10 full-time company dancers, four full-time company apprentices and St. Paul Ballet students.

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