One of the most celebrated ballets in the world, The Nutcracker, is one of my all time favorites for this time of the year. Apart from getting me in the holiday spirit, I love seeing the different interpretations of the ballet from companies all over the globe and compare them to the versions I danced growing up.

Ever since I was a little I grew up thinking about The Nutcracker every year come late September. During the beginning months of fall auditions for The Nutcracker start up and I can still remember the feeling of butterflies in my stomach waiting to see what I had been casted as in that year’s production. Since that first Nutcracker I was casted as an angel, I was hooked for life. One of the beauties of this ballet is that there is a part for every stage of life as a dancer, from young children and adolescents, to adults and retired performers. Whether you only have a few years of training under your belt or have received the coveted title of prima ballerina or principal dancer, there is a role in The Nutcracker for everyone.

Another reason why I love The Nutcracker so much is because it’s one of those ballets that has something for everyone. For some it may be the dancing or storyline of Clara and her nutcracker, for others it might be the costumes, lighting, special effects and sets. There are numerous companies that interpret the story of The Nutcracker each holiday season from contemporary works to new sets, choreography and costumes of the beloved classic. Here are a few in the New England area I found doing a quick internet search.

Connecticut
Connecticut Ballet – connecticutballet.org/index.php/performances

Maine
Maine State Ballet – mainestateballet.org/nutcracker
Portland Ballet – portlandballet.org/victorian-nutcracker/

Massachusetts
Boston Ballet – bostonballet.org/nutcracker/
Jose Mateo Ballet Theater – ballettheatre.org/nutcracker/
Urban Nutcracker – urbannutcracker.com/

New Hampshire
Southern New Hampshire Dance Theater – snhdt.org/performances/the-nutcracker.aspx
Ballet Misha – balletmisha.com/

Rhode Island
Festival Ballet Providence – festivalballet.com/nutcracker_story.php
Island Moving Company – islandmovingco.org/performances-events/nutcracker/

Vermont
Vermont Ballet Theater School – vbts.org/auditions.html

I hope my words inspire you to attend The Nutcracker if you are able to so you may enjoy the magic of this wonderful ballet. Happy Dancing!