This Christmas season, productions of The Nutcracker will be returning to stages in North Texas. Last year, several annual productions were cancelled in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, NBC 5 reported, but many of the shows are returning this holiday season.
Two different venues in Dallas and Fort Worth will be hosting the production for the Texas Ballet Theatre. According to NBC, the venues will be implementing COVID-related protocols during the shows.
The Winspear Opera House will require people to wear masks and prove their vaccination status or show a negative COVID test result. The Bass Performance Hall will require proof of vaccination or a negative test result, as well as an ID. According to NBC, guests under 12 do not have to provide proof of test results or vaccine status, but everyone will be asked to wear masks.
Paul Mejia’s The Nutcracker is also being put on as part of Avant Chamber Ballet’s (ACB) return to doing performances.
“We are so grateful to return to theatres with such a full season planned,” ACB Artistic Director Katie Puder told NBC. “After a challenging year, I cannot wait to have the magic that is created between the dancers, musicians, and the audience.”
Avant Chamber Ballet first put on The Nutcracker in 2019 and sold out.
North Central Ballet will also be presenting The Nutcracker for the 27th year, NBC reported. In 2020, the company decided to hold the annual performance outdoors to keep from canceling it.
The artistic director, Les Jordan, told NBC it was a way to make sure the tradition stayed intact.
“North Central Ballet was thrilled last year by the response to presenting The Nutcracker outdoors, which was a creative way to continue our holiday tradition despite the pandemic. Now we’re continuing this new tradition, where families can enjoy a holiday activity together in a park, where it’s safer,” Jordan said.
This year it will be performed in Grapevine at Meadowmere Park from December 3 to 6.
Jordan told NBC 5, “Even though our full-length production isn’t in a theater, audiences will be treated to the traditional elements they love. Families can begin their holiday season with their treasured Nutcracker socially distanced.”
The Dallas Black Dance Academy will also be performing its fourth annual Espresso Nutcracker. During 2020, the entire season was broadcast virtually.
According to NBC, Academy Director Katricia Eaglin choreographed the production this year.
“I was inspired to create and produce the Espresso Nutcracker for Dallas Black Dance Academy so our academy students could be involved in the Nutcracker tradition,” Eaglin said. “We’re excited to have our students re-enter the theatre and share how they have grown while training virtually during the 2020-2021 season.”
The show will combine the original music with songs from Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite. It will be held at the Majestic Theatre in Dallas on December 11.
According to NBC, there will also be a few productions held at the Eisemann Center for Performing Arts and Corporate Presentations in Richardson. During the show circuit, all guests will be encouraged to wear masks.
