by Stephanie Kramer for Dance Teacher | Aug 11, 2026 | Dance History, Pointe+, Profiles
In the dance world, E.T.A. Hoffmann (1776–1822) is best known as the author whose stories inspired The Nutcracker and Coppélia, two staples of the ballet repertory. But he was more than an inventive storyteller: He was also a lawyer, composer, painter, conductor, and...
by Kyra Laubacher | Dec 1, 2025 | Everything "Nutcracker", News, Onstage, The Latest
It’s that time again—bells are ringing, fake snowflakes are falling, and cans of hair spray are emptying as ballet companies around the globe kick off Nutcracker season. As always, it’s important to keep the holiday tradition fresh. That often depends on the dancers...
by April Deocariza | Dec 9, 2024 | News, Onstage, The Latest
A maid and butler turn into a Mouse King and Queen. Clara’s grandparents become Grandmother and Grandfather Ginger, while her mother and father transform into the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier. These are just some of the twists Oklahoma City Ballet’s artistic...
by Stav Ziv for Dance Magazine | Dec 21, 2023 | Everything "Nutcracker", News, Onstage, The Latest
How can we honor and preserve history without repeating the same mistakes over and over? How can we reimagine classics to center a variety of voices and speak to diverse audiences—not simply to avoid offending anyone, but to actively invite and include everyone? How...
by Steve Sucato | Dec 8, 2023 | News, Onstage, The Latest
’Tis the season for Nutcracker, and that includes new productions. This month, Milwaukee Ballet and Orlando Ballet each present world premieres that reimagine the holiday ballet’s magical journey with a mix of tradition, cultural sensitivity, and imagination.Milwaukee...
by Lydia Murray | Aug 16, 2022 | Black History Month, Dance History, Profiles
History’s rare gems often languish in the shadows of what might have been, and ballet is no exception. Those credited with shaping the artform—usually choreographers, principal dancers and impresarios—become legends, while corps de ballet members mostly go...
by Lucy Van Cleef | Dec 25, 2019 | Everything "Nutcracker", News
The Nutcracker has been a dancer’s tradition for over 125 years. As a student at Russia’s Imperial Ballet School in Saint Petersburg in the early 1900s, a young George Balanchine performed in the original production of The Nutcracker, created in 1892, at...
by Amy Brandt | Dec 12, 2019 | Career, Everything "Nutcracker", Instagram, Profiles
For many professional ballet dancers, Nutcracker means weeks of performances. That usually translates to multiple casts—and important breakout opportunities for those in the junior ranks. On the afternoon of December 13, Pennsylvania Ballet demi-soloist Thays...