Scene from It's A Shore Holiday at Caesar's Circus Maximus in Atlantic City.

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Atlantic City Ballet recently ushered in the holiday season with performances of "It's A Shore Holiday" and "The Nutcracker". Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.

They kicked off things off with It’s A Shore Holiday over Thanksgiving weekend. This ballet blended classical and contemporary dance set to beloved holiday tunes at the Caesars Circus Maximus in Atlantic City.

The “Radio Cityesque” review had something for everyone including singers, dancing snowmen, chipmunks, and toy soldiers who performed their entire routine on pointe. Choreographed by Artistic Director, Phyllis Papa, this year the performances featured singers Kelly LaVinga and James Maher. It’s A Shore Holiday captured audience’s imagination of every age.

Here are photos from It’s A Shore Holiday.

Following a holiday fundraiser, the Atlantic City Ballet went on tour with The Nutcracker where John Posada caught them at The Strand in Lakewood. Also choreographed by Ms. Papa, and in its 41st year, The Nutcracker has become a tradition shared by generations of families.

The Nutcracker is a treasured classic that tells the story of a little girl named Clara who is given a magical nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve. Embarking on a wondrous journey through the Kingdom of Snow and the Land of Sweets, Clara encounters many unforgettable and timeless characters.

You can catch the remaining performances of The Nutcracker on December 16th at Caesar's and December 23rd at The Scottish Rite Auditorium in Collingswood.

Throughout 2023, the Atlantic City Ballet had performances in Greate Bay Country Club in Somers Point, Ocean City, The Strand in Lakewood, and the Stafford Township Arts Center. The company returns in April with performances of Swan Lake at Caesar's and The Strand.

Here are photos from The Nutcracker at The Strand.

Founded in 1982, by International Ballerina, Phyllis Papa, the Atlantic City Ballet is comprised of professional dancers from around the world and have earned national acclaim for their technical expertise and exuberant stage presence. The Ballet has performed in theaters all along the east coast and across the country. Their repertoire of original works includes such classics as A Midsummer Night's Dream, Sleeping Beauty, and Swan Lake but Ms. Papa is most known for her innovative works such as Dracula, Caught Up In The Swing, and her full length Carmen. Since its inception, the Atlantic City Ballet has served as one of the cultural treasures of New Jersey and continues a tradition of dance excellence for future generations of ballet audiences.

John Posada is a New Jersey based photographer specializing in live theatre and music performances. For more than 10 years, John has photographed live music events where he mastered the techniques of timing and capturing fast moving action under challenging lighting conditions to capture that perfect moment that tells a story in a single image. Currently, John has photographed over 110 productions for over 70 different theatres and venues. Click here for John's website.