Nittany Ballet returns with ‘The Nutcracker’ tradition Dec. 14–15 at Eisenhower Auditorium

UNIVERSITY PARK— The Performing Arts School of Central Pennsylvania Nittany Ballet will perform “The Nutcracker” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, in Eisenhower Auditorium.

Centre County’s pre-eminent classical ballet school’s annual production will transport audiences to a magical world where life-sized toy soldiers fight giant mice, snowflakes dance, and the Sugar Plum Fairy welcomes all to the Nutcracker’s Kingdom from the Land of Sweets.

Tickets are $36 for an adult, $30 for a senior, and $25 for a student and those 18 and younger. They are available for purchase online. Tickets are also available by calling 814-863-0255 or in person, weekdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at Eisenhower Auditorium.

You can avoid the $4-per-ticket online service fee by calling 814-863-0255; or buying in person from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays at Eisenhower Auditorium.

Visit “The Nutcracker” online or email Becca Beck for more information.

Paul Gibson, Nittany Ballet’s new artistic director and former principal dancer with the Pacific Northwest Ballet, will bring a magical and re-envisioned telling to this year’s production.

“Performing in ‘The Nutcracker’ with the Allegheny Ballet Company was always a holiday tradition for me, my family and our friends,” the Altoona native said. “My hope is that this magical production of ‘The Nutcracker,’ performed with the unparalleled level of dancing by the students of Nittany Ballet, will be attended by audiences from Happy Valley and neighboring counties, and become a part of their holiday tradition year after year.”

In addition to the Nittany Ballet’s dancers, this year’s event will feature guest performances by Pacific Northwest Ballet artists Clara Ruf Maldonado as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Mark Cuddihee as her Cavalier; as well as Penn State artists Alex Iozzio as Mouse King and Zach Doran as the Nutcracker.

Traditions on traditions

Nittany Ballet, the dance division of the Performing Arts School of Central Pennsylvania, serves students ages 2 through adult, enabling a “joyful pursuit of excellence” for all students.

Not only is “The Nutcracker” a tradition for the families that come to watch, the students of Nittany Ballet also find meaning in the tradition.

“Like a lot of people, ‘Nutcracker’ was my first introduction to ballet,” said Luisa Becker, who will dance the Marzipan Lead. “It’s a tradition every year that you can come back to and see your growth through it.”

“It provides a sense of community,” said Sienna Sullivan, who will dance the Peppermint Lead. “It brings our studio together, because it’s the most fun thing we do together all year. And it also brings in friends and family that get excited to see what we really do.”

Sensory accommodations

The center welcomes patrons of all sensory sensitivities to its performances. Eisenhower Auditorium is certified by KultureCity as a sensory-friendly venue. Upon request, patrons can sign out a variety of items to accommodate your visit, including noise-reducing earmuffs, anti-strobe glasses, lap pads and fidget toys.

Visit Accessibility online to learn more about the center’s available services.

Acknowledgements

The presenting sponsor is Sullivan’s Mini Storage.

Corporate sponsors include Park Home Furniture, Growing Tree Toys, Red Oak Foundation, Envision Lasik Center, Torron Group, State College Framing Co., Daniel Vaughn Designs, 814 Cider Works and RT+ Results Training Plus.

Individual sponsors are Peter Boal, Kent Stowell and Francia Russell, Cheryl Pazcoguin and Jerolynn McBurney-Rogers.