The most wonderful time of the year has arrived again: Christmas at the Milwaukee Ballet. Milwaukee Ballet, thankfully, is back in action after a temporary absence last year due to COVID-19. This December, the Nutcracker is returning to the Marcus Center where ballerinas will perform for a holiday classic for their audiences.

During the second week of September, auditions are held for dancers who wish to be included in the production. Lindsey, one ballerina lucky enough to have been cast, states, “Auditions are kind of terrifying, but comfortable after a while.” During the auditions, the director of Milwaukee Ballet and ballet instructors decide which children will perform for the show. The roles for the students include angels for kids aged eight- to nine, geese for children aged nine to ten, mice or soldiers for kids aged ten to twelve, party kids for those aged twelve to seventeen, and finally the role of friends can be filled by dancers aged twelve to seventeen.

During the months of October and November, rehearsals are packed. Every weekend and also some weekdays, each student role has a rehearsal. During these rehearsals, dancers attempt to perfect each step. In late November, the students in the show get to rehearse with the Milwaukee Ballet company, the professional dancers. The student dancers are separated into different casts, depending on which role they were assigned. . Normally, all of the casts are in one whole rehearsal together. 

After all of the rehearsals, when December rolls around, shows are held. Each cast member of the show is in at least eight of the productions out of fourteen shows. Late December is when all of the shows end. After Nutcracker season is over, directors and staff members immediately begin preparing for their next fantastic show.

In conclusion, Nutcracker season is definitely one thing to look forward to. Friends and families should all go see this wonderful production. To buy tickets, you can order on their website or call their box office.