NASHVILLE BALLET ANNOUNCES FINAL DETAILS AND PRINCIPAL CAST FOR BELOVED HOLIDAY CLASSIC NASHVILLE’S NUTCRACKER

Nashville’s Nutcracker Kicks Off the Holiday Season Thanksgiving Weekend at Tennessee Performing Arts Center with Performances November 29 - December 28, 2025

Children are Invited to Participate in Pre-Performance Story Time, Meet & Greets with Nutcracker Characters and More

Nashville Ballet has announced the final details and talented principal cast of company dancers that will lead the beloved holiday classic, Paul Vasterling’s Nashville's Nutcracker, along with The Nashville Symphony, that is returning to the Tennessee Performing Arts Center’s Jackson Hall starting Thanksgiving weekend, Saturday, November 29 through Sunday, December 28, 2025.

These Nashville Ballet Company Dancers will perform various principal roles throughout this spectacular, unique-to-Nashville production of Nashville’s Nutcracker (in alphabetical order):

Justin Abel as Snow King

Joshua Binowitz as Sugar Plum Cavalier and Nutcracker Prince

Celeste Borman as Sugar Plum Fairy and Dew Drop Fairy

Kennedy Brown as Snow Queen and Dew Drop Fairy

Michael Burfield as Nutcracker Prince

Shaiya Donohue as Nutcracker Prince

Will Giannuzzi as Nutcracker Prince

Anneliese Guerin as Dew Drop Fairy

Jamie Kopit as Sugar Plum Fairy and Snow Queen

James Lankford as Sugar Plum Cavalier and Snow King

Garritt McCabe as Sugar Plum Cavalier and Snow King

Jack Owen as Nutcracker Prince

Jorge Emilio Peña as Sugar Plum Cavalier and Snow King

Sarah Pierce as Sugar Plum Fairy and Dew Drop Fairy

Lily Saito as Sugar Plum Fairy and Snow Queen

Brett Sjoblom as Sugar Plum Cavalier and Snow King

Marissa Stark as Dew Drop Fairy

Autumn Tierney as Snow Queen

Colette Tilinski as Sugar Plum Fairy and Snow Queen

Nashville’s Nutcracker will not only showcase the incredible cast of company dancers and members of NB2, Nashville Ballet’s official second company, but also more than 200 local community youth and School of Nashville Ballet students.  

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“Each year, Nashville’s Nutcracker brings together artists, students, families and audiences to celebrate the joy of the holiday season through dance,” said Nick Mullikin, Nashville Ballet’s Artistic Director and CEO. “What makes this production so special is how it reflects the heart and spirit of Music City. From the vibrant storytelling to the extraordinary live music performed by The Nashville Symphony, this production showcases the power of collaboration between our city’s finest artists. Nashville’s Nutcracker isn’t just a performance, it’s a celebration of who we are as a community. This year, we’re thrilled to expand that celebration with new themed evenings that highlight the diversity, inclusion and creativity that define Nashville today.”

Audiences have come to love that Nashville’s Nutcracker weaves Music City’s rich history into the classic children’s story of Clara Stahlbaum, the brave Nutcracker Prince and the magical kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Inspired by the 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition, the production showcases the unique history and cultural innovation of Music City with scenes set in Nashville landmarks such as Shelby Bottoms, Centennial Park and the Belle Meade Mansion. The whimsical story follows Clara and her Uncle Drosselmeyer as they explore the Exposition, where they experience inventions from across the globe and are introduced to the Nutcracker for the first time, before embarking on a magical adventure. 

This cherished production is an experience designed for the entire family. Families with children are encouraged to arrive up to 40 minutes early to participate in pre-performance story times hosted by Nashville Ballet teaching artists, enjoy meet-and-greets with favorite Nutcracker characters, take photos in the commemorative photo booth and shop exclusive holiday merchandise featuring Nashville’s Nutcracker dolls and ornaments.

This must-see holiday tradition is set to the timeless score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, performed live by The Nashville Symphony under Music Director and Principal Conductor Ming Luke with Guest Conductor Lauren Wasynczuk. The production features exquisite scenery designed by Shigeru Yaji, costumes and additional scenic elements by Campbell Baird and lighting designs by Scott Leathers.

In addition to its public performances, Nashville Ballet will double its student matinees this season. In partnership with TPAC and The Nashville Symphony, the organization will welcome more than 3,500 students from across Middle Tennessee for two daytime performances designed exclusively for school field trips. Each performance is supported by a comprehensive Educator’s Guide with interactive activities aligned to Tennessee State Academic Standards.

Nashville Ballet will also continue its beloved Holiday Magic program, which brings the gift of live art to community members who may not otherwise have access to professional ballet. More than 2,000 individuals will receive free tickets this season, distributed through over 60 social service agencies across Middle Tennessee.

Tickets are still available for the entire family to experience the joy and wonder of this classic tale reimagined that captures the heart and spirit of Nashville. Be a holiday hero and get your tickets now as it’s expected to sell out. Single tickets start at just $45. For more information on Nashville’s Nutcracker or to purchase tickets, please visit NashvilleBallet.com. 

NASHVILLE BALLET UNVEILS 2026 BALLET BALL THEME: A SWAN LAKE-INSPIRED EVENING OF ELEGANCE AND IMPACT NEXT SPRING

Co-Chairs Neil Krugman, Lisa Manning and Julie Schneider to Lead 37th Annual Ballet Ball on March 7, 2026 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center

Photo by Daniel Meigs

Nashville Ballet is thrilled to announce details for the 37th Annual Ballet Ball, returning Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Inspired by the timeless beauty of Swan Lake, the 2026 gala will blend classical elegance with contemporary celebration in honor of the Ballet’s milestone 40th Season. Esteemed community leaders Neil Krugman, Lisa Manning and Julie Schneider will serve as co-chairs, alongside Honorary Chair Barbara Turner, for one of Nashville’s most anticipated and impactful evenings of the year.

Revealed during the recent Ballet Ball Kickoff Coffee event, the Ball's Swan Lake-inspired theme pays homage to one of ballet’s most iconic and beloved masterpieces as it returns to TPAC’s Jackson Hall from February 27 to March 1, 2026. Renowned for its sweeping romance, haunting beauty and emotional depth, Swan Lake will influence every detail of the evening, from ethereal design elements to dramatic staging, evoking the elegance, mystery and grandeur of Tchaikovsky’s beloved masterpiece. Renowned event planner Bruce Pittman has been charged to help bring this vision to life, promising an unforgettable celebration that reflects the magic and artistry of the ballet itself.

Ballet Ball patrons will enjoy a gourmet dining experience by Kristen Winston Catering paired with handcrafted cocktails and curated beverages provided by Lipman Brothers, LLC.  

The gala will also include exclusive, one-night-only performances by Nashville Ballet company artists and surprise guest artists, to be revealed in the coming months. Then the celebration continues into the evening with the highly-anticipated Late Party, chaired by Catherine Bradbury, Kimberly Macdonald and Eli Gibbons and Sophie and Preston Howard.

The annual black-tie event is a cornerstone fundraiser for Nashville Ballet and continues to be a driving force behind the organization's transformative Community Engagement and Education Initiatives. During the 2024–25 season alone, these programs delivered over 55,000 arts experiences to Middle Tennesseans, including free tickets to Nashville’s Nutcracker, 18 Storytime performances at local libraries and dance education programs in 40 schools. More than 300 homeschool families also participated through customized offerings, while a new five-episode podcast series deepened digital engagement. With over 23,000 individuals reached through free performances last year, Nashville Ballet is ensuring the beauty and impact of dance remain accessible to all.

“Ballet Ball is more than a celebration of art, it’s an investment in the future of our community,” said Nick Mullikin, Artistic Director and CEO of Nashville Ballet. “Every dollar raised allows us to reach more students, more neighborhoods and more families through the power of dance. By supporting this event, our patrons are helping us foster creativity, confidence and connection through the arts, planting seeds that will grow for generations to come.”

For more information about the Ballet Ball and/or Late Party,please visit NashvilleBallet.com/ballet-ball or email events@nashvilleballet.com.

Tickets for Swan Lake performances at TPAC (Feb. 27 - March 1) are also on sale and available at NashvilleBallet.com, or by phone at 615-297-2966 ext. 710.  

Nashville Ballet KICKS OFF 40TH SEASON – THE RUBY SEASON – WITH A DAZZLING TRIPLE BILL FEATURING ELVIS, BALANCHINE AND KYLIÁN

If I Can Dream Kicks Off the Landmark Season with a Sparkling Celebration of Movement, Music and Legacy 

Featuring Soul-Stirring Music by The Nashville Symphony at TPAC - October 10-12

Photo by Lydia McRae Photography

Elvis has entered the building. Nashville Ballet is proud to launch its 40th Season – The Ruby Season – with If I Can Dream, an electrifying triple bill featuring Balanchine, Kylián and Presley with performances October 10–12, 2025, at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC).

Choreographed and directed by Travis Bradley, If I Can Dream, set to the timeless music of Elvis Presley, fuses the elegance and artistry of classical ballet with the rebellious spirit of rock ‘n’ roll. First previewed at the 2024 Nashville Dance Festival, this expanded work showcases a rich tapestry of Elvis Presley’s catalog of music. The production includes Elvis’ classics such as “That’s All Right,” “Suspicious Minds,” “Kiss Me Quick,” “It Hurts Me,” “Men with Broken Hearts,” “Forget Me Never,” and the powerful anthem that gives the production its name, “If I Can Dream.”

Bradley, whose celebrated career includes work with Ballet Memphis, Houston Ballet and Richmond Ballet, spent countless hours curating and reimagining the King’s catalog. From stripped-down arrangements to emotional storytelling through movement, If I Can Dream showcases Presley’s timeless music that's both fresh and deeply human. Garritt McCabe will reprise his role as The Icon opposite Will Giannuzzi debuting in alternate casts, while Claudia Monja with James Lankford or Jorge Emilio Peña will perform the Pas de Deux.

“Elvis’ music is timeless and the messages in his songs are universal,” said Travis Bradley. “I wanted to showcase the vastness of Elvis’ musical range, from gospel and blues to pop ballads; he was a master storyteller. This piece is meant to celebrate his music while bringing joy and inspiration to the audience to dream of a better tomorrow.”

Additionally, the evening will begin with George Balanchine’s Rubies, the second movement from Balanchine’s legendary Jewels. Set to Stravinsky’s Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra, this sparkling masterpiece dazzles with sharp wit, angular lines and vibrant movement accompanied by the award-winning music of The Nashville Symphony with guest pianist Alessandra Volpi. A tribute to the vitality of dance, Rubies captures the genius of Balanchine at his most playful and provocative. The lead principal dancers include Michael Burfield, Jamie Kopit, Garritt McCabe, Claudia Monja, Lily Saito, Brett Sjoblom, Gwyneth Smith, Autumn Tierney and Colette Tilinski.

Then, returning to the Nashville stage by popular demand, Jiří Kylián’s Un Ballo, a poignant and deeply human work set to Maurice Ravel’s lush music. Known for its emotional nuance and contemporary elegance, this ballet contrasts neoclassical structure with modern intimacy. It’s a stirring meditation on love, memory and connection that showcases the expressive power and range of Nashville Ballet’s artists.

If I Can Dream is made possible in part by a generous sponsor, Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance (TOA). CASTING NOTE: Principal dancer Lily Saitomakes her return to the stage in this production after rupturing her Achilles last year and receiving rehab treatment at TOA.

Tickets for If I Can Dream and other single performances start at $50 and increase based on seating location and ticket preferences. Don’t miss this blockbuster lineup as Nashville Ballet offers curated packages where you can pick 2-4 performances and save up to 25% on adult tickets and 50% on children’s tickets. View single tickets and season ticket packages at NashvilleBallet.com, or by phone at 615-297-2966 ext. 710.