This year will mark Southwest Virginia Ballet’s 25th anniversary of bringing the art of dance to life in the Roanoke Valley. For the 25th anniversary celebration Artistic Director Pedro Szalay is featuring two SVB alumni in the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Maria Jessee, 2012 graduate of Roanoke Catholic School and dance major at Butler University, and Molly Cook, 2013 graduate of Lord Botetourt High School and dance major at the University of Utah, will share the role and are excited to return to perform in Roanoke.
The Nutcracker’s beautiful music, lush scenery and lavish costumes provide the perfect combination to experience E.T.A. Hoffmann’s timeless story. Young imaginations will be sparked and audiences of all ages delighted as a Christmas tree grows to huge proportions, mice and soldiers battle, and waltzing snowflakes whirl about amidst “real” falling snow.
This year, the candies and sweets from exotic lands that come to life in Act II will perform in front of a spectacular new backdrop that was commissioned from scenic designer, Matthew Allar, and produced by the professional scenic studio, Michael Hagen, Inc.
SVB is also partnering with the Salvation Army to help make Christmas special for the “forgotten angels” of the Angel Tree. Please bring an unwrapped toy for collection at The Nutcracker.
Southwest Virginia Ballet is a regional, pre-professional youth dance company that has been serving Southwest Virginia since 1990, The company has been recognized internationally for excellence in classical dance, costuming, and instruction.
Southwest Virginia Ballet presents The Nutcracker: Location: Berglund Performing Arts Theatre / Dates: Sat., December 13th at 2:00 and 7:00 pm & Sun., December 14th at 3:00 pm
Box Office: 877-482-8496
“Clara’s Tea Party” – Have tea and other treats with Clara and other Nutcracker characters prior to the Sunday 3 pm performance. Take photos with the Nutcracker characters and make memories for a lifetime! Location: Berglund Performing Arts Theatre Mezzanine Date: Sun., December 14th, 1:30 pm. Buy your tickets for Clara’s Tea Party today! Box Office: 877-482-8496.
