Honoring our service members with Military Appreciation Night

Each holiday season, The Columbus Ballet hosts a special Military Appreciation Night as part of its beloved Nutcracker production at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. This meaningful evening pays tribute to service members by offering them a night out at the ballet. More than just a performance, Military Appreciation Night is a celebration of unity, gratitude, and civic pride that captures the spirit of the season — joyful, generous, and deeply connected to the heart of Columbus.

Bringing ballet to every child with school outreach and performances

The Columbus Ballet is committed to making classical dance accessible to all — especially young audiences who may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience a live performance. Through partnerships with local schools, our dancers present abbreviated versions of productions like The Nutcracker at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. We also take the stage to the classroom by touring local schools and letting students see the characters and costumes from the show. These special outreach performances introduce area students to the beauty and discipline of ballet in a format that is engaging, educational, and age-appropriate.

By working with local schools to make the ballet accessible to children, The Columbus Ballet helps foster a lifelong appreciation for the arts while breaking down barriers related to cost, transportation, or exposure. For many children, these performances are their very first experience with classical music and live theater — moments that can spark imagination and inspire future participation in the arts.