Welcome to The Nutcracker, a Kansas Ballet 2024

Welcome to The Nutcracker, A Kansas Ballet! On behalf of a remarkable group of performers, musicians, designers, and staff I am thrilled for you to experience this spectacular show. The Nutcracker tradition at the Arts Center has a long history. I must pay tribute to those who established it, especially the founders Candi Baker, Deborah Bettinger, Ric Averill, and Jeff Dearinger. The first performance was in 2002 and originally titled A Kansas Nutcracker. Since then thousands have performed on stage not to mention, this year alone featuring over 120 performers. The impact this tradition has had on the lives of so many is beyond remarkable.

Since 2016, I have served alongside the “dream team” of creative staff members who truly deserve all the credit. I cherish working with all the artistic and support staff and musicians each winter season. A special thank you to our supporters, sponsors, and volunteers. Without you, there would be no magic at all.

To the cast – thank you for trusting the process and being on this ride. You’ve been a complete joy to work with. Hope you make many lifelong memories.

To the audience – I hope this production fills your heart with as much delight as it has to mine. May it send you dancing throughout the winter holidays.

Cheers,

Hanan Misko
Artistic Director of The Nutcracker, A Kansas Ballet

SYNOPSIS

ACT I – 

consecutive year of the American Civil War. Preparing for a holiday party hosted by the Stahlbaums, an inventor named Drosselmeyer is in his workshop crafting presents for his godchildren. One, a wooden Nutcracker, resembles Drosselmeyer’s nephew, Kurt, who is a soldier with the 14th Brooklyn Chasseurs. Meanwhile, the Stahlbaums have finished preparing for their party just moments before the arrival of the first guest. Drosselmeyer arrives mysteriously late to the party and immediately presents the dolls to the children, explaining to Clara that if she takes care of the Nutcracker, the Nutcracker will, in turn, protect her. Fritz, seeing his sister receive more presents, grows jealous and breaks her Nutcracker. Agitated but not disheartened, Drosselmeyer repairs the Nutcracker and quietly leaves it by the tree before departing from the party. 

After the party ends and Mr. and Mrs. Stahlbaum have gone to bed, Clara returns to the living room in search of her Nutcracker soldier. She finds him under the tree and joyfully dances with him until she becomes tired and falls asleep. She enters a strange dream in which Fritz commands the Mouse Queen and her mice to seize Clara. Drosselmeyer intervenes by summoning the Nutcracker to fight on Clara’s behalf along with a supplementary army of toy soldiers. The Mouse Queen is defeated, and Fritz sees that his destructive ways only bring harm and violence. He repents to Clara who forgives him. Upon victory, both the Nutcracker and Clara are transformed and venture across the land of Kansas.

– INTERMISSION –  

ACT II – 

The story continues with Clara and the Nutcracker being greeted by various freed Kansan creatures and spirits rejoicing in Clara and the Nutcracker’s victory over the Mouse Queen. The matriarch of the land, the Hummingbird, coordinates an elaborate ball in celebration of their courageous efforts. After witnessing all the wonders of Kansas, Clara and the Nutcracker reunite for a final dance but are interrupted by Drosselmeyer who tells Clara that, like all things, this must too end. Clara wakes up where she last fell asleep, but the Nutcracker is no longer with her. She senses that something has changed for the better.

Production Staff 

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & CHOREOGRAPHER Hanan Misko

ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, CHOREOGRAPHER Cynthia Crews

COSTUME DESIGNER & WARDROBE/LEAD Erin McElroy

DANCE ASSISTANTS Donna Jo Harkrider, Hope DeYoung-Daniels, Allison McNellis, Kellar Musser

HAIR & MAKEUP SPECIALISTS Miranda Powell, Rebekah Abrams

HOUSE PROJECTION DESIGNER Jason Badgett

LIGHTING DESIGN Samaria Fleig, Lexey Jost

ORCHESTRA MANAGER Raffaele Cipriano, Gregory Campbell

PHOTOGRAPHY Ann Dean

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Claire Buss

STAGE MANAGER Samaria Fleig

SOUND ENGINEER Josiah Merino

PROP MASTER Lexey Jost

RUNNING CREW Lexey Jost, Cliff Hoitt-Lange, Nico Scales

SET BUILDERS Cliff Hoit-Lange, David Nichols, Farrukhbek Varisov, Jodie Little, Lexey Jost, Josiah Moreno, Nico Scales, Nox Angelone, Miles Perez, Olivia Laycock, Quinn Nissen, Samaria Fleig, Tevin Mershon

STUDENT TECH STAFF Alia Leon, Ben Tiemann, Isobel Krestas, Laurel Hunsinger, Sawyer Harding, Lucas Hasiuk, Stevie Roman, Keats Johnson

LIVESTREAM TECHNICIAN Nox Angelone

HOUSE MANAGER Lisa Purdon, Deborah Dillon

Dance Staff & Faculty 

SCHOOL OF DANCE DIRECTOR Hanan Misko

SCHOOL OF DANCE COORDINATOR Claire Buss

LAWRENCE BALLET THEATRE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Cynthia Crews

LAWRENCE BALLET THEATRE & DANCE PROGRAM ASSISTANT Liat Roth

Special Thanks

Harrison Family Fund of the Douglas County Community Foundation

Thomas D. Galloway Family

Anonymous Signature Sponsor

To our parent volunteers: Your behind-the-scenes time, hard work and, most importantly, your passion for this production are the essential ingredients to making the magic of stagecraft come to life. Thank you so much

Rebekah Abrams

Kent Smith

Megan Greene

Jeff Dearinger

Sponsors

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