(PRINCETON and RAHWAY, NJ) --From July 1 through July 31, American Repertory Ballet will be celebrating “Nutcracker in July,” offering discounted tickets for Nutcracker performances at Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway and McCarter Theatre in Princeton. Additionally, ARB is celebrating the July kick-off of ticket sales for this holiday classic with community partners in downtown Princeton, who will be involved in ARB’s social media contest. The contest winner will receive 4 complimentary tickets to Nutcracker at McCarter Theatre.
Using the promotional code “ARBJulyNut” at both Union County PAC and McCarter Theatre will allow patrons to purchase tickets to ARB’s Nutcracker for 10% off the original price. ARB’s Nutcracker will come to Union County PAC on Saturday, November 21 at 2:00pm. For tickets, call 732.499.8226 and mention the promo code or visit the events page on www.ucpac.org and enter the promo code when purchasing. ARB will present Nutcracker at McCarter Theatre Thanksgiving weekend: Wednesday, November 25 at 7:30pm, Friday, November 27 at 2:00pm and 5:30pm, and Saturday, November 28 at 2:00pm and 5:30pm. Call 609.258.2787 or visit www.mccarter.org and use the promo code.
“Nutcracker in July” posters will be displayed in various shops and restaurants in downtown Princeton. Take a “selfie” with each poster and post on Instagram, Facebook, and/or Twitter with #ARBJulyNut to be entered in a drawing for 4 complimentary tickets to one of ARB’s Nutcracker performances at McCarter Theatre. Participating merchants are: Olsson’s Fine Foods, PJ’s Pancake House, Princeton Record Exchange, The Bent Spoon, Triumph Brewing Company, and more. The winner of the contest will be drawn on August 1, 2015 and will be notified via social media.
All “Nutracker in July” information and updates will be posted at www.arballet.org/NutcrackerInJuly starting on July 1.
About American Repertory Ballet and Princeton Ballet School
American Repertory Ballet’s mission is to bring the joy, beauty, artistry and discipline of classical and contemporary dance to New Jersey and nationwide audiences and to dance students through artistic and educational programs. The organization comprises: American Repertory Ballet, the preeminent professional classical and contemporary ballet company in the state; Princeton Ballet School, one of the largest and most respected non-profit dance schools in the nation; and ARB’s Access & Enrichment initiatives, including the long-running and acclaimed DANCE POWER program. The performing company is a classical and contemporary ballet company committed to presenting ballets from the 19th and 20th centuries alongside new and existing works by choreographers from today. Founded in 1963, the company is currently under the artistic leadership of Douglas Martin, former principal dancer with the Joffrey Ballet. Its rich history of repertory includes established masterpieces by distinguished American choreographers such as George Balanchine, Gerald Arpino, Alvin Ailey, Paul Taylor and Twyla Tharp; cutting edge works by choreographers such as Val Caniparoli, Kirk Peterson, Dominique Dumais, Harrison McEldowney, Amy Seiwert, Susan Shields, Melissa Barak, Patrick Corbin, Trinette Singleton, and ARB Resident Choreographer Mary Barton; and former Artistic Directors Dermot Burke, Marjorie Mussman, SeptimeWebre and Graham Lustig. ARB has been designated a “Major Arts Institution” by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts consistently for the past two decades, and has repeatedly been awarded a Citation of Excellence by the Council. ARB was voted the Jersey Arts People’s Choice for “Favorite Dance Company” in 2008, 2011, 2012, and 2015.
Princeton Ballet School has gained a national reputation for its excellent dance training since its founding in 1954 by AudréeEstey. Under the direction of Mary Pat Robertson, Princeton Ballet School currently serves approximately 1,200 students, starting at age three, and includes a large open enrollment division for adults. Princeton Ballet School has studios in Cranbury, New Brunswick, and Princeton and offers classes in ballet, modern dance, jazz, hip-hop, CardioBallet, and CoMBo - Conditioning for the Mind and Body. Students from the school have gone on to dance in professional ballet and contemporary dance companies in the US and abroad. Graduates have danced with such diverse organizations as New York City Ballet, Paul Taylor Dance Company, Miami City Ballet, Complexions, Mark Morris Dance Company, Twyla Tharp, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Ballet West and on Broadway.
The Access & Enrichment wing of American Repertory Ballet reaches out to the community not only through its DANCE POWER program and signature On Pointe series, but also with free programming, master classes, residencies, lecture demonstrations and School Time Matinees throughout the state. In 1984, American Repertory Ballet partnered with the New Brunswick Board of Education to create DANCE POWER. Today, it’s the longest-running uninterrupted arts/community partnership in New Jersey. The legendary Gregory Hines was DANCE POWER’s Honorary Chair for 18 years before his untimely passing in 2003. In 2001, Mr. Hines endowed a scholarship at Rutgers University that earmarks annual funds for a DANCE POWER student to attend the university.
