Now that the first snow has fallen, it’s impossible to pretend that Christmas isn’t on the mind. Regardless of when one thinks it is appropriate to start preparing for Christmas, the transition from fall to winter is very important for a certain type of student: dancers. For dancers, this time of year is one of the most important, because for them, it is The Nutcracker season.

The Nutcracker is a timeless classical ballet that has history going back over a century. It is based on E.T.A. Hoffmann’s 1816 short story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, and uses music composed by Tchaikovsky. Despite its premiere being in 1892, The Nutcracker still holds great cultural significance. Whether it’s the famed Sugar Plum Fairy’s theme playing in a movie, or references to the popular Snow Queen and Prince’s pas de deux, The Nutcracker’s iconic music and characters are instantly recognizable.

Because The Nutcracker is so popular, there are performances of the ballet all over the world. Near Saint Joe, there are three dance companies that put it on each year. Michiana Dance Ensemble, Debbie Worbreuk’s, and Southold Dance Theater each have their own takes of the classic ballet, and each offer unique choreography and styles of dance. All of these companies’ casts are made of kids ranging from kindergarten to those just out of high school. This means that many Saint Joe dancers are performing in December!

If you are interested in watching The Nutcracker this season, check out these three local companies and come support Saint Joe dancers!