This holiday season, Ballet Chelsea and the Jackson Symphony Orchestra will celebrate nearly a decade of artistic collaboration with their annual production of The Nutcracker, combining live dance and live symphonic music to create an unforgettable holiday experience.
This year’s production continues the partnership that began in 2017, with Ballet Chelsea dancers performing to Tchaikovsky’s score played live by the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, the Northwest High School Choirs, and Jackson College Vocal Point.
Performances will take place Dec. 11–13 at the Potter Center on the campus of Jackson College. Shows include:
• Friday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 12 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 13 at 2 p.m.
Tickets go on sale July 1. Audiences are encouraged to purchase early.
“The opportunity to present The Nutcracker with a live orchestra transforms the entire production,” said Michelle Quenon, Artistic Director of Ballet Chelsea. “Every moment on stage becomes more dynamic and responsive, allowing dancers and musicians to share the storytelling experience in real time. It creates an energy that audiences can feel from the first note to the final curtain.”
Live orchestral accompaniment is widely regarded as the gold standard for ballet performance, adding depth, emotion, and immediacy to every scene.
“This partnership showcases the incredible talent and cultural resources available within our region,” said Matthew Aubin, Executive and Music Director of the Jackson Symphony Orchestra. “By bringing together a full orchestra and a talented cast of dancers, we’re creating an experience that is both visually stunning and musically unforgettable.”
As Ballet Chelsea and the Jackson Symphony Orchestra approach ten years of collaboration, The Nutcracker stands as a celebration of what is possible when regional arts organizations come together to create something truly special for their community.
Tickets and additional performance information will be available beginning July 1 on the Ballet Chelsea and Jackson Symphony Orchestra websites.
114 North Main St Suite 10 Chelsea, MI 48118
