The Nutcracker
A “must see” annual holiday event, The Nutcracker, is a family tradition presented by Stephens Auditorium, managed by VenuWorks. This annual production is the longest-running Nutcracker in Iowa and showcases sensational talent. From a cast of more than 200 skilled dancers coming from more than a dozen central Iowa communities, The Nutcracker will delight audiences of all ages in this holiday masterpiece. This production features choreography by Robert Thomas and Miyoko Kato Thomas of the Robert Thomas Dancenter in Ames.
The Nutcracker tells the story of a young girl, a heroic prince, and the fantastic dream they share. From the opening party scene to the last tinkling notes of Tchaikovsky’s famous score, a festive holiday spirit permeates the whole performance.
Along with exceptional local talent, The Nutcracker welcomes professional principal dancers M. Ainsley Montemayor in the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy and the return of Ross Freeman as her Cavalier.
Montmayor started her training at the age of 3 at Seattle Civic Dance Theatre. She continued her training at Evergreen City Ballet under the direction of Kevin Kaiser. After graduating high school, Ainsley went to dance with Pacific Northwest Ballet in the Professional Division where she was cast in many shows including Kent Stowell’s Swan Lake and George Balanchine’s Nutcracker. In 2018, she joined with Nevada Ballet Theatre. Ainsley is now currently working as a freelance guest artist. She has attended many summer intensives including Boston Ballet School, Pacific Northwest Ballet and San Francisco Ballet.
During his time off from year-round training, Ross Freeman has attended dance intensives such as the Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Summer Course on full scholarship, Paul Taylor Summer and Winter Intensives, the Batsheva Summer Course, Gaga Intensives in New York and Tel Aviv, and the Limón Summer Workshop in Fullerton, CA, among others.
Aside from performing, Mr. Freeman also has an interest in choreography; his works have been shown in Arizona, Washington, and Massachusetts, and he has assisted choreographers in setting, rehearsing, and cleaning their pieces.
$30 for adults, $25 for seniors (65 and over), youth (17 and under), and groups of 10+ per performance
The 39th annual production of The Nutcracker is sponsored by Mary Greeley Medical Center.
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SPECIAL PREVIEW OF SELECTED SCENES FROM THE NUTCRACKER
Where: North Grand Mall – Center Court
When: Friday, December 6 at 7 p.m
Iowa State Center Ticket Office Located at the north entrance of Stephens Auditorium at the corner of Lincoln Way and Beach Avenue
Regular Hours Monday – Friday, noon. – 6 p.m.
Ticketmaster: https://www.ticketmaster.com/artist/2171292
Charge by Phone: 1-800-745-3000
Online: www.ticketmaster.com
