The Snow Queen is one of the most enchanting figures in The Nutcracker. Her entrance transforms the stage into a world of drifting snow, shimmering light, and elegant movement. This year the role is danced by Anissa Bailis, whose experience and insight reveal what makes this scene so special and what it takes to bring its magic to life.
Bailis shares that returning to this choreography year after year creates a deep connection to the role. “It is really neat to have all of these years of coming back to the same choreography.” With time she has discovered new layers in the character. “Now that I am older, I approach this role with the goal of adding more artistry and cleaning up technical things and finding new ways I can approach it.”
Creating the Magic of the Snow Scene
The snow scene marks a shift in the story. After the intensity of the battle scene the stage opens into a winter forest filled with falling snow and swirling dancers. The Snow Queen guides Clara and the Nutcracker through this dreamlike world and sets the emotional tone for the journey ahead.
“In dancing the Snow Queen, my goal is to share the magic of the holidays with the audience,” Bailis says. “I want to share that feeling of lightness and wonder. It is such a fun scene. We literally have snow falling from the ceiling and it is so fun and magical.”
Her interpretation focuses on grace, calmness, and a sense of welcome. The movement is both delicate and powerful, reflecting the natural beauty of snowfall.
Working With Live Music
A key part of preparing for the role is learning to respond to the live orchestra. Even with experience the music feels slightly different every performance which requires flexibility and awareness.
“I love the excitement that you get when you arrive at the theater and you have to figure out what the orchestra is going to do,” Bailis explains. “There are moments when the orchestra goes a little faster or slower and hearing all the different nuances of the instruments keeps you on your toes.”
This sensitivity to music is one of the elements that makes the snow scene so alive and immersive.
Building the Scene With the Company and Academy
The Snow Queen brings the entire snow scene together, supported by company members and advanced dancers from Ballet Idaho Academy. Their unity creates the swirling forest that surrounds her.
Bailis highlights how effective the studio process is each season. “We have a very amazing associate artistic director who is incredible in how she teaches us the choreography and sets it. When you have that structure it is very easy to come back into it.”
The new choreography this year also gives academy dancers room to grow. “It is fun to see our highest level dancers in the academy being pushed and having this experience but also having fun on stage,” she says. “I think it is going to showcase our academy. The Nutcracker not only shows how strong the company is but also how strong our academy is and how we are training our students.”
A Role Filled With Wonder
Even after many seasons in the role, Bailis still finds inspiration in the Snow Queen. The magic of the snowfall and the feeling it gives audiences remains powerful.
“Sometimes we forget about those simple pleasures in life. It is helpful to come back to that,” she says.
The snow scene offers exactly that. A pause. A reminder of beauty. A moment that audiences carry with them long after the curtain closes.
See The Snow Queen Live in Ballet Idaho’s The Nutcracker
Looking for the best holiday event in Boise and the Treasure Valley? Ballet Idaho’s The Nutcracker is one of the most beloved holiday traditions in Idaho. Featuring live music, stunning costumes, over one hundred dancers, and unforgettable performances by artists like Bailis, this production brings the magic of the season to life. To experience the Snow Queen and the enchantment of the snow scene in person, visit Ballet Idaho’s official website and secure your seats today. This is the performance you do not want to miss.
Make The Nutcracker part of your holiday tradition and share the sparkle of the season with your family and friends. Get your tickets now.