The Nutcracker

Dayton Ballet invites you and your family to Dayton’s biggest and best holiday performance arts tradition . . . Dayton Ballet’s beloved The Nutcracker. Join little Clara in her dreamland adventures as she takes a magical trip to the Land of Sweets with the Sugarplum Fairy and her dashing Cavalier.

Dayton Ballet’s The Nutcracker comprises an enormous cast, including the full professional Dayton Ballet company, dancers from Dayton Ballet II and the Dayton Ballet School, and over 100 children from the local Dayton area!

The outstanding cast has the pleasure of dancing to live music performed by the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Neal Gittleman, giving Tchaikovsky’s classic score the full, rich, gorgeous interpretation that it requires. The elegance, grace and sheer athleticism of Dayton Ballet’s core ensemble and star dancers bring the drama to colorful life.

Before the performances and during intermissions, the Schuster Center Wintergarden bustles with the excitement. Find the perfect holiday gift at the Dayton Ballet Boutique, peer into the famous whimsical Rike’s window boxes, or treat yourself with candy and ice cream at the Graeter’s Sweet Shoppe. An afternoon at The Nutcracker is the perfect was to celebrate the holidays with the whole family!