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Ballet Spartanburg’s 31st The Nutcracker, December 9-11th, 2022 Sensory Sensitive Special Performance for Children, Dec. 9th at Twichell Auditorium at Converse University

December 06, 2022 | Press Releases

Ballet Spartanburg’s beloved Annual Christmas tradition of The Nutcracker will be performed December 9th-11th at Twichell Auditorium located at Converse University in Spartanburg SC. This season is the 31st performance of The Nutcracker and the second season to collaborate with the Spartanburg Philharmonic. Genevieve Leclair, guest conductor for the Spartanburg Philharmonic, will conduct over 42 musicians for the second season. 

Carlos Agudelo’s brilliant choreographic vision for the timeless story of a young Clara and her adventures with her Nutcracker Prince will once again leave the audience with hearts full of Christmas joy. Four fanciful scenes and over 150 costumes with Tchaikovsky’s endearing score, The Nutcracker is an annual beloved family holiday tradition. 

One thing that we are always so happy to share and we'll be able to share this year is our sensory sensitive performance on the Friday morning to students who have sensory challenges who may not be able to attend  the regular productions. Students have not been able to attend this production in the last two years due to health and safety regulations of COVID. Between 800 to 1000 students will attend along with caregivers, teachers, assistant teachers, and parents. This is a very special morning for the students. Ballet Spartanburg is the only organization in the state of South Carolina that provides this opportunity to include students who are often not able to attend performing arts performances. – Teresa S. Berline

This year we're so excited do you have a young lady named Jamie Allison who was inspired by attending her very first sensory sensitive performance. She will speak to the students and we know that it is going to be a very uplifting message to all in the audience. 

Spartanburg resident, Jamie Allison, will share her story prior to the showing of Ballet Spartanburg’s Sensory Sensitive The Nutcracker. In 2007, she was able to attend a performance by chance and was mesmerized by the beauty, artistry, athleticism, choreography and soaring score by Tchaikovsky. In spite of her handicap of blindness, she decided to take classes at her own home. Since that time she has taken private and group lessons with Ballet Spartanburg. She has been able to perform and share her love of the art form with others at SC School for the Deaf and the Blind and at a conference of National Federation of the Blind. She will share her incredible story of determination, commitment and focus with the young students in the audience at Twichell. 

Allison states, “Ballet is a demanding art form and one that requires that you give your best effort, but there isn't a situation that would stop anyone from finding their place within it once they have been chosen by it - if they are willing to strive for it with their whole heart.”

The sensory-sensitive performance is possible due to the very kind sponsorships and support of the following organizations and foundations: Publix Charities, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, Robins & Morton and Ms. Mellnee Buchheit. Ballet Spartanburg is so grateful to their generosity she recognized this wonderful opportunity for our community.

December 9-11, 2022
Twichell Auditorium
Ticket Information: www.balletspartanburg.org or 864.596-9724

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