Be part of the magic of the holiday season. Audition for this year’s show!
Saturday, August 16th, 2025
1:00pm - 4:30pm
Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts
Audition time slots are based on your level of dance experience. Refer to audition registration form for specific times.
Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 7:30pm | Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 2:30pm
The production is a true collaborative spectacle. Audiences join Clara and the Nutcracker Prince on their journey into the enchanted Land of Snow, where they’re swept up by dazzling dances of snowflakes and sweets. With breathtaking costumes, enchanting sets, and dynamic direction, the show weaves together technical precision and emotional storytelling.
Adding to the allure is the live orchestra accompaniment and featured singers from the Voices of the Valley choir — a feature not always present in local ballet productions. Under the leadership of a local conductor, the orchestra is composed of musicians selected from the community, including esteemed faculty and talented students from the Schwob School of Music. This collaboration between local dancers, performers, musicians, and vocalists brings a dynamic energy to the performance. It’s no wonder this production remains one of the most cherished and accessible holiday traditions in Columbus.
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.
Each spring, The Columbus Ballet offers a unique opportunity to experience something different from the holiday traditions. Our spring performances vary annually, bringing fresh choreography, diverse themes, and innovative collaborations to the stage. Whether it’s a classical ballet favorite, a contemporary work, or an original production, we showcase the versatility and talent of our local dancers while keeping the season vibrant and exciting for audiences.
By presenting new and varied performances each year, our goal is to invite the community to explore a broader spectrum of dance and storytelling. These spring productions often provide a platform for creative partnerships with other local artists and organizations, enriching Columbus’s cultural scene beyond the familiar and inviting everyone to discover the world of dance.