ABOUT THE PRODUCTION
Stephen Mills’ annual production of THE NUTCRACKER presented by Ballet Austin never disappoints, with hundreds of dancers, beautiful sets and costumes, and Tchaikovsky’s delicious score performed live by the Austin Symphony Orchestra. From a festive holiday party to an exotic court of sweets, watch as our young heroine, Clara, faces her fears, rescues her prince, and dreams big during the journey of a lifetime! Make memories to last a lifetime when you share this special holiday tradition with family and friends!
Presented by the Georgia B. Lucas Foundation
CHOREOGRAPHY: Stephen Mills
MUSIC: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Photography by Anne Marie Bloodgood, Tony Spielberg & Farid Zarrinabadi
All rights reserved | No unauthorized use
HIGHLIGHTS
- Choreography: Stephen Mills
- Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
- Costume Design: Judanna Lynn
- Scenic Design: Holly Highfill
- Lighting Design: Tony Tucci
- Run-time: 100 minutes (Act I: 50 min. | Act II: 50 min.)
- Dancers: 104 (29 women & 13 men) + (62 academy students per performance)
PREMIERES
BASS CONCERT HALL | BALLET AUSTIN
Austin, TX – 1999 (World Premiere) | 2000-’12
THE LONG CENTER | BALLET AUSTIN
Austin, TX – 2008 | ’09-Present
PRESS
“Ballet Austin’s “The Nutcracker’ is a sophisticated, timeless classic.”
Austin American Statesman
“…I learned that the choreography by BA Artistic Director Stephen Mills retains its power to carry me away, into the midst of a gentle flurry of snowflakes embodied by the corps de ballet, swirling before a forest of snow-laden firs, or to a plaza de toros in Spain, where a caffeinated couple stamp out a thrilling flamenco as matadors twirl their capotes.”
The Austin Chronicle
“…experience an entirely transformed vision. The tutus are fuller, the tiaras have more glitter, and the sets are covered in sprinkles.”
TheAustinot.com
“A self-proclaimed musical theatre buff myself, taking a Broadway break to see the ballet was a breath of fresh air and a treat, and I found myself just as immersed, if not more, in Tchaikovsky and Ballet Austin’s world of dance and pretend.”
Austin360.com
“Mills offers us a Nutcracker where gorgeous dancers and animated children, all in sumptuous costumes, take us back again for the first time to the land of sweets.”
The Austin Chronicle
“…Stephen Mills’ Ballet Austin brings a comfortingly traditional and all-around skillfully performed version of this classic Christmas story…”
The Austinist
“…’The Nutcracker’ is truly a marvel…Clara is a fearless woman, who rescues her prince and follows her big dreams in a journey of a lifetime. Facing her fears, she becomes the true embodiment of commitment with grace.”
Excite.com
“…the addition of Stephen Mills in 2000 has really put the company on the national map…”
TheChunk.com
“You will see gorgeous sets and costumes and hear some of the most beautiful music ever written. You will also witness a classic story danced by people who are doing what they’ve always dreamed of doing. It doesn’t get much more magical than that.”
Austin Christian Voice