Chamberlain Performing Arts’ “The Nutcracker” 2016

Sparkling snow gently falls as ballerinas in white tutus flutter gracefully across the stage. The prince leads Clara through the Kingdom of Snow on their way to the Land of Sweets where she meets the beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy. Momentarily, the audience forgets that we’re not actually with Clara in her adventure with the nutcracker; we’re simply watching the magic unfold from our seats.

You’re invited to experience this wonderful dream world too, as the annual Chamberlain Performing Arts production of “The Nutcracker” is officially back, signaling the beginning of the holiday season! Don’t miss the show that will kick off Chamberlain Performing Arts’ 32nd season from Nov. 25-27 at the Hill Performance Hall in the Eisemann Center.

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Chamberlain Performing Arts’ 2015 production of “The Nutcracker” // photo courtesy of Chamberlain Performing Arts

Chamberlain Performing Arts started when a little girl told her mom she wanted to be a ballerina. That little girl was Kathy Chamberlain, founder and artistic director for Chamberlain Performing Arts. After her 11th birthday, Kathy became a member of the Dallas Metropolitan Ballet and started attending the School of American Ballet at 12. However, she had to stop dancing her junior year of high school due to a previous knee injury, causing her to switch her focus to teaching ballet. Before turning 21, Kathy opened her own ballet studio. Five years later, her advanced students were invited to perform all around North Texas, and in 1984, she began the nonprofit arts organization that would later be known as Chamberlain Performing Arts.

“What began as a stepping stone for my advanced students to gain performance opportunities became a place where we teach free weekly after-school classes to 175 students, we offer Saturday morning dance classes to children with special needs and, since 1991, we host a Community Connections performance so low income people in the community can enjoy a full-length production of ‘The Nutcracker,’” explained Kathy.

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Tyler Angle and Tiler Peck performing in the 2015 production of “The Nutcracker” // photo courtesy of Sharen Bradford

New York City Ballet principal dancers Tiler Peck and Tyler Angle are returning for the second year to star in “The Nutcracker.” They will dance the classic George Balanchine’s pas de deux, with Tiler Peck as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Tyler Angle as her Cavalier.

“Tiler Peck is one of the world’s top ballerinas, and there is no one performing in Texas that can compare to her,” said Kathy. Peck has performed on Broadway, on “Dancing With The Stars,” and at the Kennedy Center for President Obama, among other film and TV shows. She has also won multiple awards – including being named Dance Magazine’s 2016 honoree – and will guest star on Julie Andrew’s new Netflix series “Julie’s Greenroom.”

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Chamberlain Performing Arts’ 2015 production of “The Nutcracker” // photo courtesy of Chamberlain Performing Arts

Many Chamberlain Performing Arts company members and local area dancers from Plano have lead roles in the production as well, dancing as Clara, the Snow Queen, the Dew Drop Fairy, Marzipan and more. “The students are quite talented,” said Kathy. “The audience will enjoy the stars of tomorrow performing with the major stars of today.”

After the show, bring your kids to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy and all the other characters at the Sugarplum Tea. Enjoy a sweet treat and a warm tea and get your photos taken with your favorite ballerinas.

This holiday season let “The Nutcracker” take you on a wonderful adventure with Clara, where all your winter dreams will come true.


“The Nutcracker” performances: 
Friday, Nov. 25 at 7pm | Meet and Greet with the cast following this performance
Saturday, Nov. 26 at 2pm
Sunday, Nov. 27 at 2pm 

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