The Nutcracker - Holiday Ballet - Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium

The newly established Santa Cruz Dance Theater is set to bring holiday magic to the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium this December with its inaugural performance of *The Nutcracker*. The production promises to be a stunning display of talent, featuring special guest artist Lucien Postlewaite, principal dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet. Postlewaite, a Santa Cruz native, returns to his hometown stage under the direction of Artistic Director Conrad Useldinger, who is committed to celebrating continuity and tradition in the local arts community. “A sense of continuity is important to us. This is true in the broader sense of wanting to present the great ballets, but also in the sense that we’re glad to continue the tradition of a Nutcracker at the Civic. We’re thrilled to have Lucien back in Santa Cruz for our debut there,” Useldinger said. “His connection to the community and the caliber of his artistry align perfectly with our vision for Santa Cruz Dance Theater as the new home for high-caliber dance in the area.” In addition to Postlewaite, the production will feature independent dancers Nicole Khoo from San Jose and Elizabeth Anzelone from Chico. This distinguished cast, combined with vibrant sets, costumes, and Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, promises a memorable evening for audiences of all ages. In anticipation of the premiere, Santa Cruz Dance Theater will host a *Groundbreaking Celebration and Silent Auction* at Bargetto Winery on November 24th. This special event will offer a sneak peek of the upcoming production, with performances by cast members and original choreography created exclusively for the celebration. The evening will also include a silent auction, with proceeds supporting the development and sustainability of Santa Cruz Dance Theater as a vital part of the arts community. Join us this holiday season to celebrate the spirit of dance and welcome Santa Cruz Dance Theater as they embark on their inaugural season with *The Nutcracker*. **Event Details:** ●  *The Nutcracker* at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium ○  Dates: December 21-22, 2024 ○  Ticket Sales: Available Oct. 15th at SantaCruzDanceTheater.org ●  *Groundbreaking Celebration and Silent Auction* at Bargetto Winery ○  Date: November 24, 2024 ○  Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM ○  Tickets: Available at SantaCruzDanceTheater.org For more information, press inquiries, and ticket purchases, please contact: Santa Cruz Dance Theater Phone: (562)509-9856 Email: [email protected] Santa Cruz Dance Theater is a non-profit (501(c)3 pending) dedicated to enriching the cultural life of our community by promoting the art of dance, particularly ballet, in order to expose the community to quality dance performances, to increase Santa Cruz County residents’ appreciation of dance and provide increased opportunities to dancers to develop their talent.