UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — 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 preeminent 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. 

Call 814-863-0255 or visit “The Nutcracker” online for more information and to buy tickets. 

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 Sugarplum 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 

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 services available in Eisenhower Auditorium.