Ballet Theatre of Maryland to Present THE NUTCRACKER

Ballet Theatre of Maryland will present the holiday classic The Nutcracker, December 11th-19th. This yearly tradition from Maryland's premier ballet company takes the stage at Maryland Hall with a live, in-person audience for the first time since 2019. It will feature performances from the company's 38 professionals alongside 47 student and trainee dancers from BTM's Conservatory and the local community.

Says Artistic Director Nicole Kelsch, "Last season, we were proud to present this holiday tradition in any way that local restrictions allowed. This year, we are thrilled to perform the full production in a traditional setting with all of our vibrant sets and costumes. We look forward to sharing this festive classic with our audiences once more."

BTM's Nutcracker, which features choreography by former director Dianna Cuatto, retells Clara's timeless adventure to rescue her beloved Nutcracker from the Rat Queen's evil spell. As audiences travel with her through the whirling Kingdoms of Snow and Sweets, they will note the many young students who share the stage with the professional company.

Emily Carey, a principal dancer with the company as well as the student cast's rehearsal mistress, says, "Dancing and working with children are my two biggest passions in life, so getting to combine them during The Nutcracker Season is a wonderful treat. The children in our cast are all such intelligent and talented dancers. Every rehearsal, I witness the excitement in their eyes as they experience the magic and wonder of this production and it is truly the most special part of my job!"

To share this sense of wonder with The Nutcracker's youngest audience members, BTM will offer a holiday meet-and-greet with costumed characters an hour before all performances. Onstage and off, audience members will experience the power and beauty of the story anew as the mysterious Drosselmeier transports them back in time through the language of dance and theater.

Take in Ballet Theatre of Maryland's performances of The Nutcracker December 11th - 19th, Saturdays at 7pm and Sundays at 1pm and 4:30pm. Per Maryland Hall's regulations, audience members will be required to wear a mask. In-person and streaming tickets are on sale now at $47 for adults, and $28 for seniors, children, and students. A military discount is also available. Many shows are filling up quickly, so audiences should book soon. To purchase tickets or learn more, visit www.balletmaryland.org.

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