LITTLE ROCK (May 22, 2023) - A holiday tradition for families across Arkansas, Ballet Arkansas’s "45th Anniversary Nutcracker Spectacular" is the largest and longest-running holiday production in Arkansas, reaching more than 10,000 in a single weekend. Featuring the talents of the 16 professional dancers of Ballet Arkansas, performing alongside a community cast of more than 200 children and adults, the production engages the community in a celebration of the season. Public Performances include live accompaniment from the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Geoffry Robson, and feature Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s iconic score. The performances also highlight local high school choirs, who sing during the infamous “Snow Scene” in Act I. This year’s production will feature special guests, including Santa, and updates to the choreography and costumes for the 45th Anniversary production, as a part of Ballet Arkansas’ “Nutcracker Project.” 

Ballet Arkansas’s official Nutcracker Boutique in the lobby will be open one hour prior to each public performance, located in the lobby of the Robinson Center to take a piece of the “Nutcracker Spectacular” home with them. Proceeds earned through the sale of holiday merchandise at the boutique go towards the enhancement and upkeep of the production’s many sets, props, and costumes, keeping the production alive and well for the next generation of young dancers. Take a journey with Clara Stahlbaum to the “Land of the Sweets” this Holiday, and enjoy the magic of “The Nutcracker Spectacular.” Patrons may also take advantage of photo opportunities with Santa, the Nutcracker, Sugar Plum Fairy, and other costumed characters. Clement Clarke Moore’s “The Night Before Christmas” will be read by Santa from the stage at intermission of each performance. 

Ballet Arkansas will present four public performances, Friday, December 8th at 7:30pm, Saturday, December 9th at 2:30 & 7:30pm, and Sunday, December 10th at 2:30pm. The performance runs approximately 120 minutes with a 15 minute intermission between Act 1 and Act 2. Purchase your ‘sweet seats’ to sit in the best seats in the house, and receive a special gift with your purchase. Tickets range from $20-$100 and go on sale on June 5th. Tickets will be available at www.balletarkansas.org/tickets, by contacting the Robinson Center Box Office at (501) 244-8800, or by visiting the Box Office at 426 W Markham St. Little Rock, AR 72203 inside the Robinson Center. Robinson Center Box Office and Ticketmaster are the official box offices for Ballet Arkansas’s “45th Anniversary Nutcracker Spectacular.” 

Ballet Arkansas’ will present two discounted student matinee performances of “The Nutcracker Spectacular,” serving K-12 children across the State, on December 7th and 8th, 2023 at 10:30am. Student Matinee performances provide educators with an opportunity to share the magic of a live,

educational dance performance with their students each season. Each student matinee performance includes a study guide, and a special Q&A with the dancers and Artistic Staff of Ballet Arkansas during intermission, providing a behind the scenes look of the production. Student matinee performance details are available at https://www.balletarkansas.org/programs-for-k-12-educators. Reservations open on June 26, 2023. 

Land of the Sweets Nutcracker Tea | Robinson Performance Hall 

The “Land of the Sweets Nutcracker Tea” is one of Little Rock’s most anticipated holiday events. Guests will be transported to the “Land of the Sweets” where they’ll enjoy teatime, activities, a storybook reading, and an exclusive performance from Clara, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and characters from the “45th Anniversary Nutcracker Spectacular.” Perfect for families, the Nutcracker Tea is a magical experience unlike any other. Ballet Arkansas will present three teas this year, Friday, December 8th at 1:00pm, Saturday, December 9th at 12:00pm, and Sunday, December 10th at 12:00pm. The event is approximately 1 hour long. Tickets will be available at www.balletarkansas.org/tickets on 9/1/23 at 12:00pm and typically sell out the same day. 

Tickets 

Visit www.balletarkansas.org/tickets to learn more about the 23|24 season and to purchase tickets, Summer 2023. 

Community Cast Auditions 

Adults and children ages 6+ are invited to audition for the cast of Ballet Arkansas’s “45th Anniversary Nutcracker Spectacular," on August 18-20 at Shuffles & Ballet II, 1521 Merrill Drive, Little Rock, AR 72211. Audition and registration details coming soon at www.balletarkansas.org/community-cast. 

23/24 Season 

Visit www.balletarkansas.org to learn more about the many programs, performances, special events and education programs that line the 23|34 season, and to purchase tickets to all Ballet Arkansas events. 

Digital Subscriptions 

For patrons who are not able to attend a performance, Ballet Arkansas’s digital subscriptions provide a perfect way to see a performance in 4k on your mobile phone or from the comfort of your home. Digital Subscriptions are available for individual main stage performances ($25) or for the full main stage performance season ($100). Patrons who subscribe will receive a link to view the performance for one week. Learn more at www.balletarkansas.org/subscribe. 

Support 

Support world-class programming that has touched the lives of HALF-A-MILLION Arkansans and dance education programs that bring joy and enrichment to K-12 students throughout the state by making a tax deductible contribution at www.balletarkansas.org/donate.

Photos Courtesy of Ballet Arkansas and Matthew Sewell Photography 

Ranked among the top 100 ballet companies in America by the Dance Data Project, Ballet Arkansas was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation in 1979. Over the course of its 45 year history, its world-class education programs and performances have touched the lives of nearly half a million Arkansans. Under the leadership of Michael and Catherine Fothergill, Ballet Arkansas employs a diverse professional company of 16 dancers from across the nation and presents a vibrant repertory of the classics, celebrated works of American dance, and original works by the world's most visionary dance makers. A statewide leader in dance education, Ballet Arkansas produces year-round education programs for children and adults at its downtown Little Rock headquarters and elsewhere across Arkansas. For more information, visit www.balletarkansas.org.