(EWING, NJ) -- This holiday season, Roxey Ballet celebrates the magic of The Nutcracker—and the real-life love story that blossomed within its cast. As the company marks its 30th Anniversary production, longtime Roxey Ballet family members Tara and Austin Jarboe return to the stage as Mother and Father Stahlbaum, the beloved hosts of the ballet's opening party scene.
Their connection to Roxey Ballet runs deep. Tara and Austin first met as young dancers, and in 2001 they performed the iconic childhood roles of Clara and Fritz in The Nutcracker. What began as shared stage time grew into a lasting bond—one that followed them well beyond the spotlight. Tara continued to dance with Roxey Ballet for years, building a lifelong connection to the company and its artistic community. Today, Tara and Austin are returning to the stage not just as dancers, but as a family. The couple, now married and proud parents to their one-year-old son, Dean, are bringing their story back to where it all began.
“Roxey Ballet has always felt like our second home,” Tara shares. “It’s where our story began, and now it’s so special to be back celebrating this anniversary season together—with our own little one in the audience (or maybe even on stage).”
Tara and Austin on their wedding day
Artistic Director Mark Roxey reflects, “Tara and Austin embody the true spirit of Roxey Ballet—family, legacy, and the transformative power of dance to connect people across generations. Their story is a living example of how art builds lifelong bonds.”
Roxey Ballet’s 30th Anniversary Nutcracker will fill the Villa Victoria Theater in Ewing, NJ with the sights, sounds, and spirit of the season from November 29th through December 7, 2025. The production unites professional dancers, talented students, and community members from across the region in a spectacular celebration of movement, music, and memory.
Immediately following the Opening Afternoon Performance on Saturday, November 29th, the company will host a special 30th Anniversary Alumni Celebration at 6:00pm. This heartfelt gathering will honor the generations of dancers, families, and supporters who have made Roxey Ballet’s Nutcracker a treasured holiday tradition and a cornerstone of artistic life in New Jersey and Bucks County.
Performances take place Saturday, November 29 at 2:00pm, Sunday, November 30 at 2:00pm; Friday, December 5 at 10:00am (Relaxed Children's Matinee), Saturday, December 6 at 2:00pm; and Sunday, December 7 at 2:00pm. Virtual Tickets to watch from home are also available. Tickets are available for purchase online. The Villa Victoria Theater is located at 376 W Upper Ferry Road in Ewing, New Jersey.
Come see how this production creates memories for a lifetime for the audience and the dancers.
Tara and Austin as kids performing as Fritz and Clara in 2001
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.
There are multiple performances including:
Friday, November 20, 2026 @ 8:00pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theatre)
Princeton, NJ
There are multiple performances including:
Friday, November 27, 2026 @ 2:00pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre)
Princeton, NJ
NJ Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” – A Sensory Friendly Performance is specially adapted for children and adults with autism and other sensory sensitivities. Learn more about UCPAC’s Sensory-Friendly Theatre performances.
