NEW ORLEANS (press release) – This holiday season, New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA) presents The Nutcracker Suite on Sunday, Dec. 3, at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Tulane University’s Dixon Hall. Experience the magic of Tchaikovsky’s classic holiday adventure in a new, special one-hour production, perfect for the entire family. Tickets to the performance are available for purchase beginning Wednesday, November 1 and are just $15 per person.
From an enchanting party, a dramatic battle and dancing dolls, to a whimsical journey to the Land of Sweets, this magical tale is uniquely brought to life by over 100 participants ages 6-70+ of NOBA’s Center for Dance (CFD), a nationally award-winning 32-year partnership with New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORD).
“This very special intergenerational production gives our community dance program participants, both youth and senior citizens, the opportunity to showcase their talents on stage together in a timeless classic that the whole family can enjoy,” says New Orleans Ballet Association Executive Director Jenny Hamilton. “We extend our deepest gratitude to Tulane University Department of Theatre and Dance and NORD for their partnership in making this holiday production possible.”
Throughout the year, NOBA offers tuition-free dance, health and wellness programming to all ages at select community centers and schools (up to 20 sites) throughout the Greater New Orleans area. For The Nutcracker Suite, each participating site where classes are taught is assigned a part (angels, mice, soldiers, etc.), and students learn choreography from their respective instructors during the fall. The day before the performance, all students come together for the first time for rehearsals at Tulane University. This unique, intergenerational production features NOBA’s Pre-Professional Program students in soloist roles such as Sugarplum and Snow Queen, and Senior Dance Fitness Program participants in a special Grandparents dance in the opening scene. Students participate in all productions free of charge, and there is never a fee for costumes.
Year-round, the Center for Dance (CFD) provides the highest level of training for hundreds of youths with an esteemed faculty of international, national and local teaching artists. Through the CFD’s sequential structure, a clear pathway of training and support is established for a child to begin at age 4 and continue through age 18 with training that prepares them for a career in dance or any chosen field — all tuition-free. Early Childhood, Preparatory, and Teen Program students matriculate through the levels of training to the internationally recognized Pre-Professional Program with unprecedented access to training with master artists, performance opportunities with major international companies, and more. For more information on NOBA’s dance programs, please visit www.nobadance.com/classes.
Tickets for The Nutcracker Suite are $15 and can be purchased beginning Nov. 1 at www.nobadance.com. All audience members, including children and infants, must have a ticket.
