The Nutcracker, presented by BalletForte | What’s happening in Houston

The Nutcracker, presented by BalletForte


*The event has already taken place on this date: Sun, 12/11/2022
The holidays will soon be upon us, and what better way to celebrate the season than to experience BalletForte’s production of The Nutcracker. Join Clara as she encounters rowdy rats, menacing mice, stalwart soldiers, and the ballet’s namesake the notable Nutcracker.

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The audience hears the familiar bell-like tinkling bloom into the melody of Tchaikovsky's “Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy.” Children and adults alike are fascinated as a young ballerina excels at one of the most compelling and technically challenging ballet variations. This delicate and powerful dance during the second act of The Nutcracker, is among Michael Banigan’s favorites to direct since he and Dianne Jarrel co-founded BalletForte in Sugar Land, Texas, almost three decades ago.

This year will be BalletForte’s 27th annual presentation of The Nutcracker. The full-length ballet is a holiday tradition for many Fort Bend families. This year, the show will run from December 9th through the 11th at the Stafford Centre, 10505 Cash Road. The venue is intimate with 1,100 seats conveniently located in Stafford, Texas. There is a 7:30 PM evening show on Friday, Dec. 9th and Saturday, Dec. 10th. There is a 2:00 PM matinee performance on Saturday, Dec. 10th, and Sunday, Dec. 11th. 

BalletForte, a pre-professional ballet company known for their ambitious and talented dancers, has a long history with the Stafford Centre. BalletForte has performed many ballets at this grand theater, including most recently Giselle, The Sleeping Beauty, Coppelia, and Don Quixote.  There are rumors of Swan Lake returning Spring 2023. 

Leading up to all of BalletForte’s productions, you can find the principal dancers and company members rehearsing throughout the week at the Fort Bend Academy of Dance studios, where they all also take ballet classes multiple days a week. The dancers who are honored with the famous Sugar Plum Fairy role have typically trained in classical ballet for 8 to 15 years, often with aspirations of continuing on to dance in a professional company. That is the case with Anna Thaxton, one of this year’s Sugar Plum Fairies.

Thaxton is a 17 year old senior at George Ranch High School. “I began dancing when I was 8 years old at a studio outside my neighborhood. Soon after, I decided I wanted to focus more seriously on ballet and started my training at Fort Bend Academy of Dance. With the help of my amazing teachers, I quickly progressed and strengthened my dancing. I’ve developed great relationships and a true love of the art form,” said Thaxton.

Thaxton plans to continue dancing through college and professionally thereafter. “Dancing is extremely rewarding, and I feel incredibly grateful for every opportunity I have to perform and share this beautiful art form with an audience,” explains Thaxton.

Thaxton will light up the stage during “The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” on Saturday night and will reprise the role during the Sunday matinee. She will delight spectators in the  iconic pink platter tutu with its endless layers of tulle and silvery embellishments. With the shimmering crystal tiara on her head, she will display her beautiful balance, technique, and artistry. 

Morgan Hildum, a 17 year old junior, dance major at Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts will also play the role of Sugar Plum Fairy on opening night. Anneliese VanDagna, a 17 year old junior at Travis High School will dance the role during Saturday’s matinee. 

Thaxton says, “I hope the audience can see the joy all the performers have onstage and feel how magical The Nutcracker is for both the dancers and the audience.”

Visit www.balletforte.org for tickets to BalletForte’s production of The Nutcracker. Tickets start at $12 with military and group discounts available.


*Times, dates, and prices of any activity posted to our calendars are subject to change. Please be sure to click through directly to the organization’s website to verify.

Location:

Stafford Centre
10505 Cash Road
Stafford, TX, 77477-4416
United States

Phone:

281-799-7554
Contact name: 
BalletForte
Email address: 
The event has already taken place on this date: 
12/11/2022
Time: 
Friday & Saturday evening: 7:30 pm; Saturday & Sunday Matinee: 2pm