The Nutcracker: Beloved holiday extravaganza returns for 27th year at GCSU

With all new costumes, Georgia College & State University celebrates its 27th annual production of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s beloved 1892 two-act classical ballet “The Nutcracker.”

Shows are Friday through Sunday, Dec. 8-10, in Russell Auditorium.

The Russian ballet has become a staple in many holiday celebrations. The fairytale follows the festivities of a family and their Christmas tree, and a young girl dreams of her handsome Nutcracker coming to life and waging battle with an evil Mouse King.

More than 200 community dancers, ages 3 to adult, are in the production. The youngest dancers, ages 3 and 4, play the Tiny Mice. There will also be high-kicking Poinsettias and tap-dancing Soldiers. The GCSU cheerleaders will play the tumbling, acrobatic Russian Dancers.

Audiences will marvel at special effects like falling snow, a 24-foot dancing dragon, magic tricks and more.

“When I first directed this classic ballet 27 years ago on campus, we only had about 40 dancers,” said Amelia Pelton, director of dance at Georgia College. “I look forward to this all year and plan it year-round! It is my joy.”  

“Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” is one of the most recognizable pieces in “The Nutcracker” and a demanding solo. This year, GCSU senior Nicole Snyder of Marietta, Georgia, will play the Sugar Plum Fairy. She is majoring in chemistry with a minor in dance.

Other dancers include:

• Kaylee Smith, an 11th grader at Georgia Military College’s prep school, who will play Clara
• Katie Payne of Newnan, Georgia, a GCSU senior exercise major with a minor in dance, who will be the Snow Queen
• Addison Davis, an 11th grade student at Jones County High School, who will be the Dew Drop Fairy
• and Carter Hewitt of Taccoa, Georgia, a GCSU first-year student exercise science major with a minor in dance, who will be the Nutcracker.

Shows are at 7 p.m. Dec. 8-9 and 2 p.m. Dec. 10. Tickets are available online at gcsutickets.com and at the door. Cost is $15 for general admission; $10 for senior citizens, GCSU faculty, staff and non-GCSU students; and $5 for GCSU students.

For more information, please call 478-445-8290.