The Hartt School Community Division to Present Tchaikovsky's THE NUTCRACKER

The Hartt School Community Division's (HCD) annual tradition of The Nutcracker ballet continues this year with performances opening December 9, 7:30 p.m. in the Alfred C. Fuller Music Center's Millard Auditorium at the University of Hartford, 200 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford.

Tchaikovsky's glorious score provides the backdrop for this full-length, family-friendly holiday production. The magical story of Clara, her Nutcracker Prince, and the Sugar Plum Fairy is beautifully staged and performed by the HCD dance department.

Public ticket sales begin on October 28, 2016. Admission is $30 for adults, $20 seniors, $20 for students with ID, and $15 for children 12 and under. Please call the University Box Office at 860.768.4228 or 800.274.8587 or visit hartford.edu/tickets to purchase tickets. Contact the dance office at 860.768.6000 for more information.

Nutcracker Performances:

· Friday, December 9, at 7:30 p.m.

· Saturday, December 10, at 7:30 p.m.

· Sunday, December 11, at 2 p.m.

· Friday, December 16, at 7:30 p.m.

· Saturday, December 17, at 7:30 p.m.

· Sunday, December 18, at 2 p.m.

Since the premiere of the full-length production in 2011, this annual presentation has become a cherished holiday tradition in the Greater Hartford area and features an ever-growing cast of HCD's talented ballet students. Each year, new additions to the production, including choreography, sets and costumes, enrich the experience for all involved.

The production features a tree that grows to tremendous heights, falling snow, the ultimate battle between Clara's beloved Nutcracker and his nemesis the Rat King, and the return of timeless characters such as Herr Drosselmeyer and Mother Ginger.

The Hartt School Community Division (HCD) is a comprehensive community performing arts school that provides instruction to more than 2,800 students annually. As the community arm of The University of Hartford's The Hartt School, the mission of HCD is to enrich lives through innovative and unparalleled performing arts education. HCD's diverse programing provides a comprehensive music and dance experience for students of all ages and abilities. For more information on The Hartt School Community Division, visit hartford.edu/hcd.

The Hartt School is the performing arts conservatory of the University of Hartford that offers innovative degree programs in music, dance, and theatre. Founded in 1920, Hartt has been an integral part of the University of Hartford since its charter merged the then Hartt School of Music, the Hartford Art School, and Hillyer College to create the University in 1957. 2010 markEd Hartt's 90th year of providing world class performing arts education to students in Greater-Hartford and around the world. With more than 400 concerts, recitals, plays, master classes, dance performances, and musical theatre productions each year, performance is central to Hartt's curriculum. For more information about The Hartt School, visit hartford.edu/hartt.