The San Jose Nutcracker at California Theatre

This holiday season, New Ballet’s The San Jose Nutcracker, choreographed by Dalia Rawson, sparkles brighter than ever with dazzling new features and enchanting surprises for audiences at the historic California Theatre. Presented in conjunction with Symphony San Jose, The San Jose Nutcracker takes place December 13-23.

New elements in the 2025 production include spectacular chandeliers featured in the party scene, created by local scenic artists and designed to represent the historic art deco chandeliers that hang in the auditorium of San Jose's beautiful California Theatre. According to New Ballet Founder/Director Dalia Rawson, “These new chandeliers immerse audience members even more fully in the action, extending the look of Clara's drawing room into the theatre itself."  

Rawson continues, “The Company is also adding new characters and costumes to the battle scene inspired by nocturnal animals that live in the area such as raccoons and skunks! These costumes include masks created by Bev Shaltz of Tentacle Studios (based in the Netherlands), who created the masks worn by the little mice, danced by students of New Ballet School.” 

“These new elements deepen the sense of place and magic in The San Jose Nutcracker,” said Rawson. “From the chandeliers that tie our production to the California Theatre itself, to the whimsical nod to San Jose’s backyard wildlife, we are celebrating the beauty, humor, and community spirit of our city.”

According to Robert Massey, Executive Artistic Director of Symphony San Jose: “We are excited to have the orchestra at every New Ballet Nutcracker performance including the full-length shows and My Very First Nutcracker. It is a wonderful way for Symphony San Jose to enhance the classical ballet experience for Bay Area families.”

As in years past, the cast includes: New Ballet’s professional dancers, students from New Ballet’s American Ballet Theatre Certified training program and dancers from Los Lupenos Juvenil. All performances will be conducted by New Ballet’s Conductor Thomas Shoebotham.

Also presented this holiday season is My Very First Nutcracker, a one-act performance for younger audiences, accompanied by Symphony San Jose. 

Pre-concert festivities for My Very First Nutcracker feature a special play zone that includes two brick pits, one with DUPLO brick and one with Soft Brick provided by Legoland.

Choreography: Dalia Rawson
Conductor: Thomas Shoebotham
Music: Pyotr I. Tchaikovsky