ARB Dancers Lily Krisko, Erikka Reenstierna-Cates, Rachel Quiner, Roland Jones, and Tomoya Suzuki. Photo by Harald Schrader
Ring in the holiday season with this timeless tale of magic and festive fun for the whole family! A holiday tradition for sixty years, American Repertory Ballet's The Nutcracker is one of the longest running productions in the nation and a treat for all ages, holding a special place in the hearts of both new and longtime patrons. Performances will take place from Friday, November 29 through Sunday, December 22, 2024 in Princeton, Red Bank, Trenton, and New Brunswick.
With thrilling choreography set to Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score, American Repertory Ballet’s dynamic professional artists take the stage with students from Princeton Ballet School (PBS), the official school of American Repertory Ballet (ARB) to tell the story of Clara, a young girl who receives a magical Christmas gift and embarks on an enchanted journey. Clara and her Nutcracker Prince battle larger-than-life mice alongside toy soldiers, and travel through a whirlwind of dancing snowflakes to the Land of Sweets. Greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier, Clara enjoys a suite of brilliant and joyful dances before opening her eyes to the familiar sights of her home, wondering if it was all a dream.
“The Nutcracker season at American Repertory Ballet and Princeton Ballet School is one of the most magical times of year!” says Samantha Dunster, ARB’s Director of Artistic Operations. “Company dancers explore new interpretations of roles within this timeless ballet and PBS students have the opportunity to perform in major venues alongside professional artists. I often wonder how many children watching the performances will be inspired by the magic and want to join the wonderful journey that this artform provides.”
ARB Dancer Lily Krisko. Photo by Harald Schrader
Indeed, audiences of all ages are sure to be amazed by the technical bravura and artistry of dancers in elegant sequined costumes, with Candy Canes literally jumping through hoops! ARB’s talented production team, including Rylee Berger (Production Manager), Janessa Cornell Urwin (Resident Costume Designer & Wardrobe Supervisor), Devon Nicole Austin (Associate Wardrobe Supervisor), and Cheryl Mintz (Production Stage Manager), have been tirelessly working since the beginning of September to put all elements of the large scale, month-long production into place. For example, it takes over 100 hours to make one singular tutu, including hand-finishing, gluing, and sewing on around 200 Swarovski crystals.
“Every costume in this production has been carefully thought out, from the grand vision of the designs to the tiny details of the fabrics and trims in each costume piece,” says Urwin. “Every button, crystal, and sequin has been intentionally placed to provide the maximum artistic impact for both the audience and the performer. While the audience may not see many of these tiny details, the dancers wearing the costumes certainly do, and it’s so important for them to feel the character they are portraying in order for the audience to be swept away in the magic of the story.”
2024 American Repertory Ballet’s The Nutcracker schedule:
McCarter Theatre Center | Princeton, NJ. Friday, November 29, 2024 at 2:00pm & 7:00pm; Saturday, December 30, 2024 at 1:00pm & 6:00pm; Sunday, December 1, 2024 at 1:00pm. Tickets range from $43 to $73
Two River Theater | Red Bank, NJ. Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 1:00pm & 6:00pm; Sunday, December 8, 2024 at 1:00pm. Tickets range from $32.50 to $65.
Patriots Theater at the War Memorial | Trenton, NJ. Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 1:00pm & 5:00pm. Tickets range from $15 to $35.
State Theatre New Jersey | New Brunswick, NJ*. Friday, December 20, 2024 at 7:30pm; Saturday, December 21, 2024 at 2:00pm & 7:00pm; Sunday, December 22, 2024 at 1:00pm & 5:00pm. Tickets range from $29 to $69. * Featuring musicians of the Nutcracker Orchestra conducted by Kenneth T. Bean, and singers from the Princeton GirlChoir.
Runtime for The Nutcracker is 2 hours and 15 minutes including a 15 minute intermission.
American Repertory Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker is generously sponsored in part by Bloomberg Philanthropies.
With a distinctive reputation for innovation and individuality, American Repertory Ballet (ARB) is recognized as one of the state’s premier performing arts organizations. Presenting classical repertory alongside new and existing contemporary work, ARB is a founding resident company of the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center while also performing in major venues across New Jersey and beyond for an annual audience of more than 30,000. Founded in 1954 as the Princeton Ballet Society, ARB has been designated a “Major Arts Institution'' by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and has been awarded a Citation of Excellence by the Council. The company is a core partner of The Arts Institute of Middlesex County and has been recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts and other major foundations and leaders in the field as a prominent force in the field of dance. Princeton Ballet School, ARB’s official school, attracts talent from around the world while providing opportunities for local students of all ages, such as through its award winning DANCE POWER program.
Princeton Ballet School (PBS) is the official school of American Repertory Ballet. PBS has gained an international reputation for its excellent dance training since its founding in 1954 by Audrée Estey. At its three locations in Princeton, Cranbury, and New Brunswick, PBS offers classes in ballet, modern dance, jazz, hip-hop, character, and more. PBS provides opportunities for students ages 3 through adult, including its award-winning DANCE POWER program, and performance opportunities, such as the option to participate in American Repertory Ballet’s celebrated annual production of The Nutcracker.
