The Nutcracker at The Washington Center

 Join Clara and the Nutcracker Prince for the epic battle between the mice and soldiers, journey through the Kingdom of the Snow, and celebration with the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Land of the Sweets.  Friday Performances at 7:30pm. Saturday & Sunday Performances at 2:00pm.  

See Website For Details - Date/Times Subject to Change - Click the Link Below for Updated Info:  

The Washington Center For the Performing Arts

Evening and Matinee Performances:  

Friday, December 10th - 7:30 pm 

Saturday, December 11th - 2:00 pm 

Sunday, December 12th - 2:00 pm 

Friday, December 17th - 7:30 pm 

Saturday, December 18th - 2:00 pm 

Sunday, December 19th - 2:00 pm  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 16, 2021

Ballet Northwest presents the 37th annual production of The Nutcracker Performances at the Washington Center December 10-12 and December 17-19, 2021 Fridays at 7:30 pm | Saturdays at 2 pm | Sundays at 2 pm

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Ballet Northwest’s The Nutcracker, Olympia’s holiday favorite for 37 years, is returning to The Washington Center in December with breathtaking sets brilliantly created by local artist, Jill Carter. Ballet Northwest (BNW) is thrilled to be returning to live performances this season, with health and safety measures in place. The Nutcracker was last seen live in 2019. Last year due to the pandemic, BNW produced a film version of the holiday classic.

The Sugar Plum Fairy's Cavalier will be danced by professional guest artist Lucas Horns who danced professionally with Ballet West in Salt Lake City. Ballet Northwest company dancers Elina Brein and Nina Ivanenko will be alternating in the lead role of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Both have attended Oregon Ballet Theatre's summer intensive in Portland. Brein is 20 years old and lives in Centralia. Ivanenko is 17 years old, lives in Lacey, and is enrolled in Running Start.

“Audiences from all over South Puget Sound have come to love our Nutcracker production in the beautiful Washington Center,” said Ken Johnson, co-artistic director at Ballet Northwest, the oldest dance company in the State of Washington. “Our dancers and audiences have been through so much these last couple years with the pandemic, so we’re excited to bring back this community tradition for all to enjoy at the holidays.”

Josie Johnson, co-artistic director for Ballet Northwest said, “We know that attending The Nutcracker at The Washington Center is a holiday tradition for many families in the South Sound, and we try and keep the choreography fresh and exciting. This year we have a few other surprises in store. Plus, the magic between audience and performers is something special that we’ve all missed.”

Over 150 people make up the cast, which features local dancers as young as 8 years old plus Ballet Northwest company dancers. Ballet Northwest’s dance company is comprised of over 60 dancers age 12 and older, drawn from Thurston, Pierce, Lewis, and Mason counties.

“Ballet Northwest’s mission is to promote the art of dance and this classic ballet introduces thousands to the art form. We believe our performances are on par with staged productions in Seattle and Portland yet at half the price. We are thrilled to bring The Nutcracker to the region and once again delight audiences with the quality of the dancing, the guest artists, the set and the entire experience,” said Noel Ostrander, Ballet Northwest’s board president.

For patrons 12 and older, the Washington Center is currently requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test provided by a lab within 72 hours for entry to the Washington Center. Patrons age 18 and older must also show a photo ID. Patrons age 11 and younger are NOT required to show proof of vaccination or a negative test. Testing appointments are available in front of the Washington Center.

Ballet Northwest’s Artistic Directors Ken and Josie Johnson choreographed the production and The Nutcracker is presented by Capital Heating & Cooling, and sponsored by the Tucker Family Foundation, Nisqually Indian Tribe, Andrew J. Kapust DDS, Kell-Chuck Glass, Washington State Arts Commission, Community Foundation of South Puget Sound, Olympic Dermatology, and Employer Resources Northwest. Media sponsors include 95.3 KGY, 94.5 ROXY, and 96.1 KXXO.

Since 1970, Ballet Northwest has been a community-based group dedicated to promoting, teaching, and preserving the art of dance in Southwestern Washington. The company offers educational opportunities for local dancers as well as outreach throughout the community.

WHO: Ballet Northwest

WHAT: The Nutcracker, a ballet in two acts featuring a cast of 150 local dancers

WHEN: 7:30pm on Dec. 10 and 17; and 2pm on Dec 11, 12, 18, and 19.

WHERE: The Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St SE Olympia, WA 98501

HOW: Ticket Office - 360-753-8586 or order online at www.washingtoncenter.org.

PRICES: Tickets are $14 to $35, plus $4.00 service fee. Student, senior, and youth discounts available. Student Rush tickets go on sale one hour before curtain.

Biographies:

Josie Johnson, Co-Artistic Director Josie and her husband Ken are the Directors of Johansen Olympia Dance Center. She trained at Orange County Ballet Theatre, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and The Hartt School at the University of Hartford, where she received a B.F.A. in Dance Pedagogy. Josie danced professionally with Dance Connecticut/Hartford Ballet, Connecticut Opera, Roxey Ballet, and ARC Dance Productions. Guest credits include Eliot Feld's Mr. XYZ with Mikhail Baryshnikov and Kirk Peterson’s The Nutcracker with the American Ballet Theatre Studio Company. She is an American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum certified teacher.

Ken Johnson, Co-Artistic Director Ken and his wife Josie are the Directors of Johansen Olympia Dance Center. He trained at Johansen School of Ballet, Evergreen City Ballet, and the School of Hartford Ballet. He attended summer programs at American Ballet Theatre, Houston Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet on scholarship. Ken danced professionally with Hartford Ballet, Dance Connecticut, and Connecticut Opera, as well as at the prestigious Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. Following his retirement from performing, Ken received a bachelor's from The Hartt School at the University of Hartford. He is an American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum certified teacher.