2025 Nutcracker Ballet

Twin Cities Ballet Company's 43rd Annual

Nutcracker Ballet Weekend

will be December 5-7, 2025, 

at Illinois State University’s Braden Auditorium.

 

*Be a Part of the Nutcracker Tradition*

 

| PERFORMANCES |

| FRIDAY SCHOOL/COMMUNITY MATINEE |

| SATURDAY NUTCRACKER EXPERIENCE | *new

| TICKETS | *on sale now

(updated 10/20/2025)

| ***Details for Dancers & Dance Families*** | *updated

 

PERFORMANCES

 

Illinois State University
Braden Auditorium

(Inside the Bone Student Center, 100 N. University St., Normal)

  • Friday, Dec. 5, 10:00 a.m. – School/Community Matinee Performance*
  • Friday, Dec. 5, 7:00 p.m. – Traditional Performance
  • Saturday, Dec. 6, 1:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m. – Nutcracker Experience (1:00-2:30 p.m.) & Performance (3:00 p.m.)*
  • Sunday, Dec. 7, 2:00 p.m. – Traditional Performance

*Note: Friday morning’s and Saturday’s performances are school/family-friendly versions.

Information about tickets, this year’s Nutcracker Experience, and much more will be shared in the coming weeks...

 

FRIDAY SCHOOL/COMMUNITY MATINEE PERFORMANCE

 

The Friday School/Community Matinee Performance is designed especially for school children and community groups, offering an excellent opportunity to introduce and experience classical music and dance for young and mature audiences. Students of all ages and nursing home residents across Central Illinois have enjoyed this performance for the past 40+ years.

  • The running length of this year’s production is approximately 90 minutes.
  • Tickets are available now to schools, home-school families, and community groups.
  • See our School Letter and School Ticket Order Form for more details.
    • Note: The same info in the letter and the same order form can be used for any and all community groups.
  • Contact the studio at [email protected] for more details.

This performance is sponsored and made possible by the Town of Normal's Harmon Arts Grant.

 

SATURDAY NUTCRACKER EXPERIENCE

 

*Experience this Fun, Family-Friendly Nutcracker event!

This fun, family-friendly experience is back again this year as part of our annual Nutcracker Ballet Weekend!

This event will be held on Saturday, Dec. 6, and will include fun, pre-show activities in ISU’s Bone Student Center, followed by a family-friendly Nutcracker performance in Braden Auditorium. 

Your Saturday ticket will include:

  • 1:00-2:30 p.m. – Fun-for-the-Family Activities (ISU Bone Student Center Ball Room)
    • Enjoy activities, music, candy, a photo booth, and a memorabilia table!
    • Take a backstage tour with opportunities to get pictures and autographs from your favorite Nutcracker cast members!
  • 3:00 p.m. – Performance by Twin Cities Ballet (ISU Braden Auditorium)
    • Enjoy all the costumes, scenes, and music of our traditional ballet, in an abbreviated version.
    • Seating will be general admission. (no pre-assigned seats)

Kick-off the holiday season with TCSD and a Nutcracker Experience you’ll always remember!

 

TICKETS

 

***Tickets orders are available now to schools, home-school families, and community groups.***

***Tickets for Friday Evening's Traditional Performance (12/5), Saturday's Nutcracker Experience & Family-Friendly Performance (12/6), and Sunday's Traditional Matinee Performance (12/7) will be onsale at Braden Box Office and online via Ticketmaster starting 8:00 a.m., Monday, October 20. (*no phone orders per ISU)

  • Friday (12/5) Performance 
    • Traditional Performance (7:00 p.m.)
    • Tickets are $31 (plus a $4.00 ISU facility fee).
    • Audience seating will be by seat assignment made at time of purchase. (not general admission)
  • Saturday (12/6) Nutcracker Experience & Performance
    • Nutcracker Experience (1:00-2:30 p.m.) & Performance (3:00 p.m.)
    • Tickets are $31 (plus a $4.00 ISU facility fee).
    • Each ticket includes admission to the entire Nutcracker Experience: activities and performance. (see more details above)
    • Audience seating for the performance will be general admission. (no pre-assigned seats)
  • Sunday (12/7) Performance
    • Traditional Performance (2:00 p.m.)
    • Tickets are $31 (plus a $4.00 ISU facility fee).
    • Audience seating will be by seat assignment made at time of purchase. (not general admission)

General Ticket Information (All Performances)

  • Children 2 and under are free (when sitting on a lap).
  • Purchase tickets at the Braden Box Office (check building hours online), which is located at The Welcome Desk on the east side of the first floor concourse of the ISU Bone Student Center.
    • The Braden Box Office does not permit over the phone sales of tickets.
    • The box office accepts credit and/or debit cards only.
  • Tickets are also available online via Ticketmaster (with additional fees).

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***For Dancers & Dance Families***

Keep watching this page for more details...

(updated 12/01/25)

| 2025 NUTCRACKER INFO PACKET |

 

| KEY DATES | 

| SATURDAY REHEARSALS | 

| TECH WEEK REHEARSALS |

| PERFORMANCE SCHEDULES |

 | DROP-OFF/PICK-UP @ ISU | *new 12/1

| HAIR/MAKE-UP || ATTIRE |

| VOLUNTEERS | 

| FLOWERS || PICTURES |

| NUTCRACKER APPAREL |

| PARTICIPATION FEES & MEDIA/VIDEOS | 

| PROGRAM ADS || ISU HOMECOMING |

 | CASTING: AUDITIONS/SIGN-UP |

 

 KEY DATES
 

(further details about events will be communicated by email and linked below as dates approach, click links to jump to more info)

Check back for more key dates & details as they are available...

 
SATURDAY REHEARSALS
 

Part Rehearsals - October 4, 11, 18*, 25

  • 11:30-12:30 - Bon Bons (*no rehearsal on 10/18 due to parade)
  • 1:00-1:45 - Mice and Soldiers (includes Company)
  • 1:15-2:15 - Party Parents
  • 1:45-2:15 - Angels
  • 2:15-3:00 - All Party Girls and Boys (includes Company)

Note: Bon Bons may have a few part rehearsals after Oct.25, before All Cast rehearsals in November. (*11/1 Update: no extra 11:30 a.m. rehearsals needed in Nov. Great job, Bon Bons!)

 

All-Cast Rehearsals - November 1, 8, 15, 22 *11/22 rehearsal cancelled

These rehearsals are a full run-through of the show with the full cast from 1:00 p.m. to approximately 3:00 p.m.

For Company dancers, plan to be available for your parts during the entire rehearsal.

For non-company parts, see your suggested arrival times below.

  • 1:00 - Party Girls and Boys
  • 1:30 - Mice and Soldiers
  • 1:45 - Sleigh Fairies and Angels
  • 2:15 - Bon Bons (*no extra 11:30 a.m. rehearsals needed in Nov.)

*Rehearsal Note: We do our best to remain on schedule during all-cast rehearsals, but certain parts may run a little quicker or longer than expected. With this in mind, please make sure to arrive early to ensure that your dancer does not miss their part.

Reminder: Tech Week Rehearsals begin for all cast members on Sunday, Nov. 30, through Thursday, Dec. 4. (see details online below)

 

TECH WEEK REHEARSALS
 

Nutcracker Tech Week starts Sunday (11/30) and is our time to refine acts, scenes, and routines during all-cast technical and dress rehearsals.

TECH WEEK REHEARSAL SCHEDULE

  • Sunday, Nov. 30 – Tech Rehearsal (@ Studio)
    • Company Barre 1:15 p.m. (Junior/Senior Company only)
    • All-Cast Rehearsal 2:00-4:00 p.m.
    • Load-In/Load-Out at 1:30 (*parent help needed in warehouse to load drops, props, costumes, etc. into trucks)
  • Monday, Dec. 1 – Tech Rehearsal (@ Studio)
    • Company Barre 5:30 p.m. (Junior/Senior Company only)
    • Act I Rehearsal 6:15 p.m.
    • Act II Rehearsal 7:15 p.m.                                       
  • Tuesday, Dec. 2 – NO REHEARSAL
  • Wednesday, Dec. 3 – Dress Rehearsal (@ ISU)
    • Rehearsal at ISU's Braden Auditorium
    • Stage Crew Call 4:00 p.m.
    • Company Call 4:45 p.m.
    • Company Barre 5:00 p.m. (onstage, all companies)
    • Cast Call 5:45 p.m.
    • Full Dress Rehearsal 6:30 p.m. (full costume & make-up)
    • Cast Out By 10:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, Dec. 4 – Dress Rehearsal (@ ISU)
    • Rehearsal at ISU's Braden Auditorium
    • Stage Crew Call 4:00 p.m.
    • Company Call 4:45 p.m.
    • Company Barre 5:00 p.m. (onstage, all companies)
    • Cast Call 5:45 p.m.
    • Full Dress Rehearsal 6:30 p.m. (full costume & make-up)
    • Cast out by 10:00 p.m.

***Reference the 2025 NUTCRACKER INFO PACKET for full Tech Week details, Performance Schedules, and more.***

 

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULES
 
Friday, December 5

School Matinee Performance (10:00 a.m.)

Stage Crew Call 8:00 a.m.

Company Call 8:15 a.m.

Company Barre 8:30 a.m. (on stage)

Cast Call 9:00 a.m.

Performance Curtain 10:00 a.m.

BREAK

Public Evening Performance (7:00 p.m.)

Public Performance

Stage Crew Call 5:00 p.m.

Company Call 5:15 p.m.

Company Barre 5:30 p.m. (on stage)

Cast Call 6:00 p.m.

Performance Curtain 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 6

Nutcracker Experience (1:00 p.m.) &

Matinee Performance (3:00 p.m.)

Stage Crew Call 11:00 a.m.

Company Call 11:30 a.m.

Company Barre 11:45 a.m.

Family Experience 1:00-2:30 p.m.

Cast Call 2:00 p.m.

Performance Curtain 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 7

Public Matinee Performance (2:00 p.m.)

Stage Crew Call 12:00 p.m.

Company Call 12:15 p.m.

Company Barre 12:30 p.m.

Cast Call 1:00 p.m.

Performance Curtain 2:00 p.m.

 

***Reference the 2025 NUTCRACKER INFO PACKET for full Tech Week details, Performance Schedules, and more.***

 

DROP-OFF/PICK-UP @ ISU 

 

DROP-OFF
For dress rehearsals (Wed/Thu) and performances (Fri/Sat/Sun), dancers can be dropped-off inside the Braden Auditorium loading dock area shortly before Cast Call times*.
  • Enter through the stage door at the bottom of the loading dock ramp, which is located near the corner of University & College.
  • Check-in at the Security Table inside and confirm who will pick-up and a contact phone #, which may be used for change or pick-up notifications.
  • Parking on the loading dock ramp by non-staff is strictly prohibited.

*The 2025 Nutcracker Info Packet is available online on our 2025 Nutcracker site, where you can find all the details you need to know including cast call times and full Tech Week Rehearsal and Performance Schedules.

PICK-UP
For rehearsals (Wed/Thu), dancers can be picked-up in the same location as drop-off, inside the loading dock when their part is done at the following approximate times**:
  • Mice (if dancer’s only part): ~7:30 p.m.
  • Angels (if dancer’s last part):  ~8:00 p.m.
  • Bon Bons (if dancer’s last part): ~8:30 p.m.

**These times are approximate. Miss Eka will make every effort to start/end per the schedule, but this might not always be possible during final rehearsals.

For performances (Fri/Sat/Sun), dancers can be picked-up at the end of each performance at the following approximate times:

  • Friday a.m.: ~11:30 a.m.
  • Friday p.m.: ~9:15 p.m.
  • Saturday: ~4:30 p.m.
  • Sunday: ~4:15 p.m.

Note: To ensure the health and safety of your dancers, we will not allow younger dancers to leave the building without a parent or guardian. Contact numbers confirmed at check-in may be used to notify parents/guardians of changes or dancers still waiting for pick-up.

Make-up/Hair Reminder: All dancers should arrive at dress rehearsals (and performances) with hair and make-up ready for the stage.

 

HAIR/MAKE-UP
 

Dancers are encouraged to watch the following tutorial videos to learn how best to apply stage make-up and ballet buns for dress rehearsals and performances.

Stage Make-up Tutorial 

Ballet Bun Tutorial

*Note for Ballet Company Dancers: Be sure to confirm with Miss Eka about hair - typically in a middle part with a bun on the crest of the head.  

*A special thank you to Andrea & Lauren Powell (Make-up) and Lisa & Lucella Gudino (Ballet Bun) for their time and expertise respectively for these tutorials.

 

ATTIRE
 

Dancers will need the following attire for performances:

  • 1-2 new/unused pair(s) of tights (for multiple shows)
  • 1 nude leotard (aka “nudie", for modesty/sanitation with costume changes)
  • 1 pair of clean ballet/jazz shoes or pointe shoes (no rips of tears)

See below for specific attire details by cast part.

  • Party Girls, Mice, Sleigh Fairies – pink ballet shoes, pink tights, nude leotard
  • Bon Bons – tan jazz shoes, tan tights, nude leotard
  • Angels – pink ballet shoes, pink tights, nude leotard
  • Sleigh Fairies – pink ballet shoes, pink tights, nude leotard
  • Soldiers – black jazz shoes
  • Party Boys – black jazz shoes

***Reference the 2025 NUTCRACKER INFO PACKET for more details on Costumes and more.***

 

VOLUNTEERS 

 

2025 Nutcracker Volunteer Opportunities
To make sure all of this year's Nutcracker Ballet activities run smoothly and to help ensure all involved have a memorable experience, please consider signing-up below to volunteer for one or more opportunities in the month ahead!
  • Both sign-up links below offer key needs for help at the studio, ISU Bone Student Center, and backstage at ISU Braden Auditorium during Tech Week and Show Weekend!
  • You do not have to have a dancer in the Nutcracker to volunteer and be part of this fun, magical tradition with our Twin Cities Ballet Company!

2025 Nutcracker Volunteers Sign-up

2025 Nutcracker Saturday Experience Volunteer Sign-up

*Attention: All Company Parents - This is, also, a great way to get Company Hours for the 2025-2026 Company Season!

 

FLOWERS 

 

Twin Cities School of Dance (TCSD) is again supporting The Original Niepagen Flower Shop (our business neighbor) as a preferred partner option to order beautiful flower bouquets for Nutcracker Weekend!

How to Order Flowers for Your Dancers

  • Order in-person at the flower shop on Nutcracker Picture Day – today, Saturday, Nov. 22, between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
  • Order at the flower shop or by calling (309) 828-2631 anytime during the week between normal business hours. (click link above for hours)
  • Please place your orders by close of business on Monday, Dec. 1.

*Note: Parents should arrange with The Flower Shop to pick-up their orders before the shows. (Flowers will not be delivered to ISU this year.)

 

 PICTURES

 

Nutcracker Picture Day

Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025
9:00am - 11:00am
 
All orders will be taken online this year.
 
***Please make sure your order is in
BEFORE: Friday, Nov. 21, at Noon.
 
We will NOT be accepting orders at the dance studio on Saturday.
 
You are able to include multiple children and multiple costumes in one order!
 
When you add the item to your cart it will ask for information about the child’s name and costumes.
 
Please use their FIRST and LAST name so we can have their costume pulled & ready for them.
 
If you wish to have multiple dancers in the same image,nplease note that you would like their picture together.
 
** You DO NOT need to bring a copy of this form with you for pictures **
 
We can't wait to see you on Saturday, Nov. 22!
 
Running N Heels Photography

 

https://running-n-heels-photography.square.site/

 

NUTCRACKER APPAREL

 

We are excited to partner with another local business (also owned by a Twin Cities parent) to offer you a new Nutcracker Apparel experience this year!

  • Check-out the fun Nutcracker designs and dance-themed apparel options in the store below!
  • Place your orders by Saturday, November 8!
  • And, help support us with rental and production costs for our annual Nutcracker shows!
✨Twin Cities School of Dance – Nutcracker Apparel Fundraiser!

Now’s your chance to show your support for your favorite dancer while helping the studio reach its fundraising goal and picking up some festive Nutcracker Apparel! ❤️

Shop all the adorable Nutcracker-themed apparel — and here’s the best part — anything you purchase from our website counts toward the fundraiser!

Every order helps support our talented dancers and brings a little extra holiday magic to the stage this season.

✨Shop & support here: https://www.thedreamersclubshop.com/shop/twin-cities-school-of-dance/Z37FNK34OHSIK2U5TONVSTSU

Let’s cheer on our dancers and make this Nutcracker performance truly unforgettable! ❤️
 
 
PARTICIPATION FEES & MEDIA/VIDEOS

 

The annual Nutcracker Participation Fee includes benefits for our dancers and our dance school (and will be added directly to accounts this Fall.)

Twin Cities Ballet Company

  • 2025 Fee: n/a (now included in overall Company Wardrobe Fee paid for the full Company Season)
  • What's still included: Nutcracker T-shirt, Nutcracker media access*, and annual costume use and cleaning/maintenance

Non-Company Cast Members

  • 2025 Fee: $120 for two parts, $100 for one part
  • Fee Includes: Nutcracker T-shirt and Nutcracker media access*
  • Fee Also Covers: annual non-company Nutcracker registration fee and Nutcracker costume rental and cleaning/maintenance

*Nutcracker Media Access: All cast members will receive digital video links to both traditional performances (Friday and Sunday), plus access to pictures taken during dress rehearsal at ISU.

 
CASTING: AUDITIONS/SIGN-UP

 

General, non-company casting for this year’s Nutcracker will again be a combination of auditions and sign-ups. All current and aspiring TCSD dancers are welcome to audition and sign-up. (Please note not all dancers who audition will be cast, but they will still have the option to sign-up for other parts in the show.)

Part Auditions & Cast Sign-up Details

  • Party Girl auditions will be held on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 12:15 p.m.
    • Pre-registration online is required. (Register now!)
    • Dancers must be 8 years of age by Sept. 1 and have previous ballet experience.
    • Selections will be communicated by email after the audition.
  • Bon Bon auditions will be held on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 1:00 p.m.
    • Pre-registration online is required. (Register now!)
    • Dancers must be 6 years of age by Sept. 1 and able to do a cartwheel.
    • Selections will be communicated by email after the audition.
  • Angels/Mice/Soldiers/Party Boys will be cast via online sign-up starting Sunday, Sept. 28, at 10:00 a.m.
    • Sign-up by registering online beginning at 10:00 a.m. on 9/28.
    • Dancers may sign-up for up to 2 of these roles, unless previously selected for a Party Girl or Bon Bon role.
    • Dancers selected for a Party Girl or Bon Bon role may sign-up for 1 of these additional roles.
    • Dancers selected for both a Party Girl and Bon Bon role cannot sign-up for an additional role.

A one-time participation fee will be applied to accounts after casting is complete. (Fee details are available online and included in your casting/sign-up emails.)

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Photography credit: Running N Heels Photography.