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"Jersey City Nutcracker" Returns to the Nimbus Arts Center

originally published: 11/14/2023 

(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Nimbus Dance's Jersey City Nutcracker returns to the Nimbus Arts Center with 15 public performances of the acclaimed production from December 8-23, including with a series of schooltime matinees for local school audiences. Nimbus' adaptation of the classic holiday story offers a thrilling, jazzy interpretation of Tchaikovsky's beloved music with a Jersey City twist. Now in its 13th year, Jersey City Nutcracker delights audiences young and old with a quirky and lovable story of two Jersey City kids and their city adventure, filled with magic, battles, stories of friendship, and exquisite dance.

Nimbus Dance performs Artistic Director Samuel Pott’s choreography against a dazzling backdrop of full-scale sets and animated projections of illustrated scenes, designed by Jersey City artists Laia Carbrera and Isabelle Duverger. With a delightful libretto co-written by Alysia Souder and Samuel Pott, Jersey City Nutcracker transports audiences across Jersey City - through parks, lively avenues, alleyways, sewers, and back to City Hall, with surprises, cheer, and a message of hope and resilience along the way.

“When young people see stories where they can recognize themselves, a special connection happens that makes theater and dance come alive. A family trip to the theater becomes an enduring experience that stays with families for years to come,” remarked Nimbus’ founding Artistic Director, Samuel Pott. “We hope audiences support local and join us for this magical show at the Nimbus Arts Center!”

The cast of Jersey City Nutcracker includes 15 professional dance artists from Nimbus’ award-winning company and 100+ youth from all over Jersey City. Debuting in the youth lead roles of Maria and Chris/Christina are: Jadyn Mayo (Academy of the Performing Arts, Morris Knolls High School), Summer Rosado (High Tech High School), Sofia Pott (Waterfront Montessori), Beta Vino (Franklin School), and Nola Walker (Snyder High School).

Tickets range from $28-$42 and are available for purchase online (group rates available upon request). Performances take place Friday, December 8th through Saturday, December 23rd, 2023. Evening performances Friday - Sunday at 7:00pm; Matinee performances Saturday - Sunday 3:00pm, with an additional matinee performance on Friday, December 22nd. Nimbus Arts Center is located at 329 Warren Street in Jersey City, New Jersey.

On December 17th, after the 3:00pm performance, Nimbus presents a holiday singalong for all ages led by teaching artist Nacia Kruger and vocal students from the School of Nimbus. Attendees ring in the season with songs from many holiday traditions, and hot cocoa courtesy of Lackawanna coffee.

Following sold-out performances in 2022, Nimbus has extended the number of opportunities to see Jersey City Nutcracker this year with 3 weekends of 5 shows each. Field Trip matinee performances are also available for schools, seniors and other groups. Contact hannah@nimbusdanceworks.org for more information.

Photos by Megan Maloy

Nimbus Dance is an award-winning contemporary dance company at the forefront of excellence in the arts, civic engagement, and equitable impact, interweaving Company, School, and Presentations. Founded in 2005 by Artistic Director Samuel Pott and based in Jersey City, Nimbus performs on tour nationally and throughout the greater New Jersey/New York region, impacting 16,000 people annually. Community engagement initiatives serve over 7,000 children annually through in-school, movement-based programs. Nimbus presents and produces the annual Acadia Dance Festival at the Criterion Theater in Bar Harbor, Maine. In September 2020, Nimbus opened the Nimbus Arts Center, a 14,900 square foot center with theater, gallery, and studio spaces that is the largest dance-based arts center in the State of New Jersey. Aligning with Nimbus’ mission to wield the arts as a medium for broad impact to our diverse community, the new Center provides a home base for Nimbus Dance as it expands its national profile and impact.

Nimbus’ commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, recognized by entities such as the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, DanceNYC/Ford Foundation’s Dance Advancement Fund and Cultural Access Network, is reflected throughout the organization: in educational/outreach programming, artistic content, and the makeup of Nimbus’ staff, company dancers, teachers, and board of directors. Indeed, Nimbus’ staff, dance company and board are comprised of a majority of individuals who self-identify as People of Color. Jersey City has been named the most diverse municipality in the United States in terms of language, nationality, and religious, cultural and racial background; Nimbus is both proud of their track record of service to their diverse community, and also deeply humble and cognizant of the need for cultural consciousness and fluency, and inclusivity and equity.

 

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