First State Ballet Theatre Presents THE NUTCRACKER at The Grand Opera House from December 14 - 22, 2024
Wilmington, DE - First State Ballet Theatre presents THE NUTCRACKER from December 14 - 22 in Copeland Hall at The Grand Opera House. Tickets are on sale via The Grand’s Box Office.
Experience Delaware’s holiday tradition at The Grand! Join Delaware’s professional ballet company on a magical journey through a swirling snow storm to the Land of Sweets in this sparkling production.
FSBT’s staging of the beloved classic features the company’s 22 dancers who have moved to Wilmington from across the country and around the world to live and perform. The Nutcracker also highlights talented students from The School of FSBT in the children’s roles.
The ballet culminates in the Grand Pas de Deux, featuring Marie, her Prince, and four Cavaliers. This unique choreography is inspired by a Mariinsky Ballet version that Artistic Director Pasha Kambalov performed as a student at the famed Vaganova Academy of Ballet. The daring lifts and intricate partnering work is awe-inspiring and punctuated by gasps from the audience. This year the principal role of Marie will be danced by alternating casts: Aoi Tashiro and Angela Zielen. Tashiro, originally from Japan, joined FSBT in 2022, and makes her debut in the role this year. Delaware native Zielen is celebrating her 10th anniversary season with First State Ballet Theatre.
“The Nutcracker reveals the full depth of FSBT’s talent - from the school to the company. Audiences will get to experience both new and established talent onstage,” says Artistic Director Pasha Kambalov.
“The holidays aren’t really here until our Nutcracker prince leaps across The Grand’s stage in his bright red suit,” says Kristina Kambalov, Executive Director. “FSBT is honored to be a recurring tradition for so many families in the area.”
PERFORMANCE & TICKET INFORMATION
THE NUTCRACKER
Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 2 pm
Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 7 pm
Sunday, December 15, 2024 at 2 pm
Saturday, December 21, 2024 at 2 pm
Saturday, December 21, 2024 at 7 pm
Sunday, December 22, 2024 at 2 pm
Tickets are available via The Grand Box Office, which is accessible online here, via phone at (302) 652-5577, or in person at 818 N. Market Street in Wilmington, DE. Tickets begin at $25.
Subscriptions for FSBT’s season are still available and offered through The Grand’s MyChoice Series. MyChoice allows patrons to save on ticketing service fees, provides ticket discounts, and offers free parking, along with other benefits. For more information visit https://www.thegrandwilmington.org/special-offers/my-choice/.
ABOUT FIRST STATE BALLET THEATRE
Established in 1999 by Artistic Director Pasha Kambalov and Executive Director Kristina Kambalov, First State Ballet Theatre is Delaware's only professional ballet company.
FSBT employs a diverse roster of dancers from around the world to present classical and contemporary ballet, including new works from local and internationally-recognized choreographers, on stages across the state of Delaware and beyond.
The School of FSBT offers ballet classes year-round at the company’s headquarters at The Grand Opera House in Wilmington, DE and attracts students from all three counties in Delaware as well as Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. A satellite school in Whitehall, DE is scheduled to open in 2024.
FSBT’s mission is to present ballet boldly to Delaware; to enrich the community with live professional performances; to inspire and educate dancers and audiences of the future; and to connect local youth with a creative, inclusive movement experience. FSBT reaches over 6,000 people annually through its performances and outreach programs.
New Castle County Chamber of Commerce 