Keene, NH – Celebrate the season with MoCo Arts’ captivating production of The Nutcracker, generously sponsored in part by Connection®. MoCo’s School of Dance returns to the Redfern Arts Center at Keene State College on Friday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec.19 at 2 p.m. to perform the classic holiday tale for our community. Audiences may attend in-person or online — both Saturday performances will be livestreamed. The Nutcracker features MoCo dance students ages 8 through 18, with special appearances by professional guest artists LeeAnn Elder and Norbert Nirewicz.
The story begins on a festive Christmas Eve at the Stahlbaum’s house with two young children, Fritz and Clara, preparing for a party. When the toymaker Drosselmeyer arrives, he brings the children gifts. Clara receives the best present of all, a Nutcracker. That night when the clock strikes midnight, the Nutcracker comes alive and takes Clara on an unforgettable adventure. MoCo’s production tells the story through several genres of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and modern, for a unique experience that appeals to all ages.
“The Nutcracker has always been one of MoCo’s greatest traditions and to be the lead role is an honor.” says Jacob Lugo, a senior and long-time student at MoCo who will play the Nutcracker in this year’s performance. “The Nutcracker brings the community together in so many ways and I feel as though it’s important to have those connections especially this time of year.”
MoCo Arts’ School of Dance offers a variety of classes for students grades 2nd through 12th. Those younger than 2nd grade are invited to join MoCo’s Creative Dance program, a fun introduction to different styles of dance. MoCo welcomes all students where they are in their movement and creative arts journey – beginners through advanced, regardless of their family’s ability to pay; tuition assistance is available for year-round arts education classes and camps.
Tickets for The Nutcracker in-person are $25 per seat and live stream tickets are $40. Both ticket types are available now at the Redfern Arts Center Box Office, online at keene.universitytickets.com, or by calling (603) 358-2168. Tickets must be purchased in pairs of two. Masks must be worn at all times while inside the Redfern Arts Center. For more information about The Nutcracker or about MoCo Arts, please visit moco.org.
Established in 1991, MoCo Arts is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, multi-arts educational organization located in downtown Keene offering dance and theatre classes and multi-arts vacation and summer camps for children ages 18 months to 18+ years. As part of the educational process, MoCo Arts provides professional quality performance experience for students and family-friendly performances for audiences of all ages throughout the year. MoCo Arts is inclusive and welcoming to all, regardless of social, and current or past financial background and provides over $79,000 in tuition assistance per year. MoCo has never turned a child away because of a family’s lack of ability to pay. MoCo Arts is sponsored in part by the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts. To learn more about our mission or ways you can support our work, please visit moco.org, contact us at (603) 357-2100 and/or MoCo Arts, 40 Roxbury Street, Keene, NH 03431.
