(EWING, NJ) -- Roxey Ballet is thrilled to celebrate a milestone 30th Anniversary Season of its beloved Holiday Classic, The Nutcracker, promising an unforgettable journey of dance, tradition, and community spirit. Under the expert creative leadership of Founder & Artistic Director Mark Roxey, and co-led by Melissa Roxey, Director of The Mill Ballet School and Curriculum Supervisor for Roxey Ballet, this year's production brings an extra dose of enchantment and heart.
“This isn’t just The Nutcracker — it’s three decades of holiday memories, artistry, and community woven into a single, dazzling performance,” says Mark Roxey.
A Legacy of Artistic Excellence - What began in 1995 as the Hunterdon Youth Ballet by Mark and Melissa Roxey has blossomed into Roxey Ballet Company — a regional, inclusive, and artistically rich institution recognized for its world-class performances and educational outreach. Over the past 30 years, the company has built a repertoire of over 70 productions and taken stages from New York to Washington, DC — even performing at the 2008 Presidential Inauguration.
Meet the Visionaries - Mark Roxey, celebrated for his transformative leadership and choreography, continues to guide Roxey Ballet’s mission of empowerment and inclusion through dance. His remarkable history spans from training at The Joffrey Ballet to creating dynamic repertory works like Nutcracker, Cinderella, and Celebrating Diversity. Melissa Roxey brings her profound dedication to dance education and community engagement. A former principal dancer versed in roles like the Sugar Plum Fairy, she is affectionately known as the “Child Whisperer,” having nurtured dancers through numerous residencies, master classes, and educational initiatives—especially in inclusive programs like “Wheels & Bodies in Motion.”
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this historic celebration—whether dancing in the cast, watching from the audience, or enjoying alumni festivities.
A Season to Remember — Dates & More
* Performance Dates: November 29, 30, December 5 (Relaxed Children’s Matinee), 6, and 7 at Villa Victoria Theater, Ewing, NJ.
* 30th Anniversary Cast & Alumni Celebration: November 29 at 6:00pm at The Mill Ballet School in New Hope, PA — a festive red-carpet event featuring speeches, archival montages, refreshments, and heartfelt reunions.
* Auditions: Open to dancers ages 4 and up on September 13, 2025, with rehearsals beginning September 20.
The Roxey Ballet began in 1995 as the Hunterdon Youth Ballet when professional dancers, Mark and Melissa Roxey, brought world-class professional dance training and performance opportunities to Hunterdon County, New Jersey and Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Mark and Melissa both had distinguished careers with American dance companies including The Joffrey Ballet, American Repertory Ballet, and Dayton Ballet, among others.
As the regional youth ballet company began to grow, the trustees of the Hunterdon County Youth Ballet changed its name to The Roxey Ballet Company, Inc to reflect its clear direction and development into an outstanding touring professional dance company with a superb roster of internationally recognized artists from all over the world. Today audiences enjoy more than 70 repertory works and a wide range of full-length ballets.
The company has performed extensively around the country including New York, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Washington DC for the 2008 Inauguration of President Obama. The company is currently experiencing a major transition in its life cycle and is committed to procuring high-quality artists and original repertory works from emerging and established choreographers.
The Roxey Ballet's typical season includes performances from September through June of each year, including a Fall main-stage concert, the holiday classic production of The Nutcracker, a Winter event, and Children's Classic Stories spring productions. The remainder of the season is spent conducting a variety of services and concerts, from educational performances, workshops, and residencies, to master classes and touring.
The Mill Ballet School is the official school of Roxey Ballet.
