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Los Angeles Ballet’s The Nutcracker is LA’s holiday tradition. Set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, with surprises, this production stays true to the holiday story and is set in 1912 Los Angeles. With choreography by Artistic Directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary, the production tours to venues across the city: Alex Theatre, Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, Royce Hall UCLA, and Dolby Theatre. Dolby performances are presented with a live orchestra. Cast & 2024/2025 Donors The Nutcracker Choose a Date to view cast & 2024/2025 donor listings Dolby Theatre Saturday, December 28, 2024 – 2 pm Friday, December 20, 2024 – 7:30 pm Thursday, December 19, 2024 – 7:30 pm

Season 2006-2007 George Balanchine George Balanchine George Balanchine George Balanchine George Balanchine George Balanchine George Balanchine George Balanchine George Balanchine George Balanchine George Balanchine George Balanchine George Balanchine George Balanchine George Balanchine George Balanchine George Balanchine Christensen and Neary / Tchaikovsky Christensen and Neary / Tchaikovsky Christensen and Neary / Tchaikovsky Christensen and Neary / Tchaikovsky Christensen and Neary / Tchaikovsky Christensen and Neary / Tchaikovsky Christensen and Neary / Tchaikovsky Christensen and Neary / Tchaikovsky Previous Gallery Next Gallery All photos by Reed Hutchinson Click on image for a fullscreen presentation.

KTLA filmed children attending The Nutcracker audition at Dolby Theatre, hoping to obtain a role in children's scenes of this holiday tradition in LA. LAB's Open Children's Audition for The Nutcracker September 19, 2022 Los Angeles Ballet held open auditions for children who want to be part of the 2022/2023 Season production of “The Nutcracker” on Sunday. The event at the Dolby Theatre was attended by children ages 6 to 13. READ ARTICLE AT SOURCE Home / News / New Item

Los Angeles Ballet Artistic Directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary will tour its acclaimed rendition of the beloved classic The Nutcracker to five venues for the very first time. The Nutcracker in its Seventh Season at Five Venues November 1, 2012 LAB Public Relations Los Angeles Ballet Takes The Nutcraker to Five Venus to Launch its Seventh Season (Los Angeles, CA) Los Angeles Ballet [LAB] Artistic Directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary will tour its acclaimed rendition of the beloved classic The Nutcracker to five venues for the very first time. Each weekend in December will feature evening and matinee performances at a different location, including the Alex Theatre, Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, Royce Hall (UCLA), Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach and Valley Performing Arts Center in Northridge. “Seven years ago, The Nutcracker served as LAB’s introduction to the City of Los Angeles, and as the years have gone by it continues to produce new fans of all ages to the world of ballet,” said Christensen. “With this ambitious expansion to five venues, LAB will have the opportunity to reach new audiences and give them a chance to participate in what has become a holiday tradition.” Added Neary, “The Nutcracker is such a great showcase for our principal dancers Allynne Noelle and Allyssa Bross.” An original production choreographed by Christensen and Neary set to Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s illustrious score, The Nutcracker will see principal dancers Allynne Noelle and Allyssa Bross reprise their role as Marie at alternating performances, as well as principal dancers Christopher Revels and Kenta Shimizu as The Prince. Featuring sets with Los Angeles flair by LA designer Catherine Kanner and costumes originally designed by Mikael Melbye, The Nutcracker has become a staple for the city of Los Angeles, and LAB is excited to be able to bring this endearing ballet to broader audiences and new venues. DOWNLOAD PDF Home / News / New Item

The creators of MSN Video's Dance Nation series followed Los Angeles Ballet Soloist Chelsea Paige Johnston for a day to discover what a typical work day is like for her. Soloist Chelsea Paige Johnston featured on MSN Video August 1, 2013 Company News from the Staff at LAB The creators of MSN Video's Dance Nation series followed Los Angeles Ballet Soloist Chelsea Paige Johnston for a day to discover what a typical work day is like for her. Watch her interview to learn more about Chelsea's daily dance routine. WATCH VIDEO Home / News / New Item

Los Angeles Ballet presents a company of outstanding dancers from local communities and around the world. LAB dance artists master classical as well as contemporary techniques. Julianna Hatton Hometown Seasons with LAB 2024/2025 Bio Available Shortly

In her capacity as a Répétiteur for The George Balanchine Trust, Los Angeles Ballet Co-Artistic Director, Colleen Neary traveled to Saint Petersburg, Russia to rehearse with The Kirov Colleen Neary Stages Balanchine at The Mariinsky Ballet in Saint Petersburg June 1, 2011 Company News from the Staff at LAB In her capacity as a Répétiteur for The George Balanchine Trust, Los Angeles Ballet Co-Artistic Director, Colleen Neary traveled to Saint Petersburg, Russia to rehearse with The Kirov, now known as The Mariinsky Ballet, in June 2011. She worked with the company for 2 weeks on Balanchine's Ballet Imperial and Symphony in C which she staged for them in 2004 and 2008. The works were performed in the annual White Nights Festival, and on tour in London. This is Colleen's third trip to Saint Petersburg to work with the Mariinsky Ballet. Home / News / New Item

Kirsten Turkle began as a Stage Manager with Los Angeles Ballet in 2019 for The Nutcracker. In summer 2022, she was promoted to Production Manager and took up her new responsibilities with enthusiasm. Kirsten started life as a performer, taking ballet lessons from age 2 to 13. She was singing and dancing in community productions through elementary and middle school, as well as taking piano and voice lessons. In high school she began Stage Managing and learning the technical arts, including lighting, costuming, and scenic carpentry. At UC San Diego she founded a Shakespearian theater group and helped produce 8 plays during her college career, most notably Cymbeline and Hamlet. She moved to Los Angeles in 2013 and worked with many different companies and venues for the next decade, including The Wallis Annenberg Performing Arts Center, AGBU Vatche & Tamar Manoukian Performing Arts Center, Moving Arts, Jaxx Theatricals, and Royce Hall at UCLA. She looks forward to growing with Los Angeles Ballet, producing new works and classics, and touring this beautiful artform to even wider audiences. Production Manager Kirsten Turkle Kirsten Turkle began as a Stage Manager with Los Angeles Ballet in 2019 for The Nutcracker. In summer 2022, she was promoted to Production Manager and took up her new responsibilities with enthusiasm. Kirsten started life as a performer, taking ballet lessons from age 2 to 13. She was singing and dancing in community productions through elementary and middle school, as well as taking piano and voice lessons. In high school she began Stage Managing and learning the technical arts, including lighting, costuming, and scenic carpentry. At UC San Diego she founded a Shakespearian theater group and helped produce 8 plays during her college career, most notably Cymbeline and Hamlet. She moved to Los Angeles in 2013 and worked with many different companies and venues for the next decade, including The Wallis Annenberg Performing Arts Center, AGBU Vatche & Tamar Manoukian Performing Arts Center, Moving Arts, Jaxx Theatricals, and Royce Hall at UCLA. She looks forward to growing with Los Angeles Ballet, producing new works and classics, and touring this beautiful artform to even wider audiences. Home / Staff / Administrator

LAB’s 9th season includes three full-length romantic story ballets with music by Tchaikovsky and a mixed bill program 2014-2015 Season Expansion June 1, 2014 LAB Public Relations LAB’s 9th season includes three full-length romantic story ballets with music by Tchaikovsky and a mixed bill program Los Angeles Ballet Co-Artistic Directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary are excited to unveil LAB’s 2014-2015 season, which includes the Tchaikovsky Trilogy, with three full-length ballets featuring the music of Peter Tchaikovsky, plus a mixed bill program of 20th century masterworks. LAB’s ninth season marks the addition of a fall program for a total of four programs, an expansion from 3 productions in all of its previous seasons. A major goal of Los Angeles Ballet’s long-term plan, LAB is pleased to achieve this in Season 9! The Tchaikovsky Trilogy includes a new production of The Sleeping Beauty , the return of the company’s critically-acclaimed productions of Swan Lake and The Nutcracker all with choreography by Artistic Directors Christensen and Neary, and closes with a mixed bill program that will include works by 20th century choreographic masters. Continuing LAB’s mission to offer world-class professional ballet to greater LA, its programs are performed at LAB’s home theaters: UCLA’s Royce Hall, Glendale’s Alex Theatre, Valley Performing Arts Center in Northridge and Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. In addition, LAB is proud to announce that in December of this year it will present four performances of The Nutcracker at its newest venue - the prestigious Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. LAB opens the season and its first fall program with the full-length Swan Lake (October/November 2014). The company premiered this production during the 2011-2012 season with sold out shows. “After Swan Lake sold out most performances, we had many requests to bring it back. Swan Lake is the perfect way to launch this expanded season and respond to our audience requests.” Mr. Christensen explained. The holidays welcome LAB’s popular The Nutcracker set in 1913 Los Angeles (December 2014). Additional matinees offer more opportunities to see this family favorite and enjoy some of Tchaikovsky’s most beloved music. Spring 2015 opens with the premiere of LAB’s new production of The Sleeping Beauty (February/March) with choreography by Mr. Christensen and Ms. Neary after the original choreography by Marius Petipa. “We have wanted to present The Sleeping Beauty for several years. The Tchaikovsky score is irresistible, but it is a big, classical ballet that requires a lot from all of the dancers, not just the Principals,” Ms. Neary said. “It’s an important measure of how the company has grown that we know LAB is ready to bring this magnificent ballet to life.” The season will close with Directors’ Choice , a mixed bill program that will include Theme and Variations by George Balanchine, (also with music by Tchaikovsky), and two other choreographic luminaries (May/June 2015). The specific repertoire will be announced later in 2014. About Los Angeles Ballet Founded in 2004 by Artistic Directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary, and Executive Director Julie Whittaker, Los Angeles Ballet is known for its superb stagings of the Balanchine repertory, stylistically meticulous classical ballets, and its commitment to new works. LAB has become recognized as a world-class ballet company in eight seasons, presenting 24 productions encompassing 50 works, including 15 commissioned world premieres. Los Angeles Ballet ‘tours’ throughout LA County, regularly appearing at four venues. In 2013, the Los Angeles Music Center presented Los Angeles Ballet at Grand Park, with more than 3,000 attending the outdoor performance. In June 2014, Los Angeles Ballet will tour outside of California for the first time, presenting La Sylphide and Serenade to Seattle, Washington audiences at McCaw Hall at Seattle Center. Since its inception in 2006, LAB’s Power of Performance (POP!) program has provided thousands of free tickets to underserved or disadvantaged children, seniors, veterans, and their families. LAB's A Chance to Dance Community Days outreach program was launched in October 2012. About Thordal Christensen Among Thordal Christensen’s many credentials are an impressive performing career, successful leadership of one of the world's major ballet companies, critically applauded original choreography, and a proven commitment to dance education. Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, Christensen received his ballet training at The Royal Danish Ballet School and at the School of American Ballet in New York City before a performance career that included the Royal Danish Ballet, New York City Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Christensen then returned to Denmark where he was Artistic Director of the Royal Danish Ballet. This blend of Bournonville and Balanchine tradition is one of the defining themes of his career, and has shaped the unique artistic vision that Christensen, along with his wife Colleen Neary, bring to Los Angeles Ballet. In 2002, he was made Knight of the Dannebrog by Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. About Colleen Neary Colleen Neary brings to Los Angeles Ballet the benefits of her vast experience as one of George Balanchine's quintessential ballerinas. In her experience as a dancer, teacher, and ballet mistress, she also worked closely with other luminaries of 20th century dance, including Rudolf Nureyev, Maurice Béjart, and Jiří Kylián. Born in Miami, Florida and trained at The School of American Ballet, Neary danced in New York City Ballet under the direction of George Balanchine, then for Maurice Béjart's Ballet du XXième Siecle , and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Neary was personally selected by Balanchine to teach his choreography to major companies all over the world as a repetiteur for The George Balanchine Trust. DOWNLOAD PDF Home / News / New Item

Los Angeles’ own professional ballet company will premiere Swan Lake, choreographed by the Artistic Directors, after Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. Los Angeles Ballet Sixth Season to Feature Swan Lake August 11, 2011 LAB Public Relations 2011-2012 Season Kicks Off with The Nutcracker Carpenter and Valley Performing Arts Centers Added to Venue Line-up (Los Angeles, CA) Los Angeles Ballet Artistic Directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary are pleased to announce LAB’s sixth season. Los Angeles’ own professional ballet company will premiere Swan Lake , choreographed by the Artistic Directors, after Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. Continuing to reach out to new audiences, LAB will offer performances at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach and the Valley Performing Arts Center in Northridge for the very first time. Once again LAB will kick off its season with the Neary-Christensen choreographed production of The Nutcracker , the city's most enduring holiday tradition. Swan Lake, the company’s fourth full length ballet, (after The Nutcracker , La Sylphide , and Giselle ), will be presented in March 2012, and the 2011-2012 season will conclude in May with NextWave LA , featuring four World Premieres created specifically for LAB by Sonya Tayeh, Josie Walsh, and Stacey Tookey, and one other choreographer to be announced. “Our sixth season reflects LAB’s on-going commitment to celebrating classic ballet as well as showcasing exciting new choreography,” said Christensen. “We are particularly pleased to be extending our audience reach with performances of Swan Lake in Long Beach and Northridge.” “This season will also feature LAB’s first principal dancers, Allyssa Bross and Christopher Revels, and the return of many outstanding members of our company,” added Neary. “We continue to advance the quality of dancing, which is what enables us to present productions ranging from Swan Lake to Next Wave LA .” Los Angeles Ballet is also pleased to announce the formation of Young Professionals, a group of early to mid-career individuals who actively participate in the Los Angeles arts environment through support of Los Angeles Ballet. Young Professionals was launched on July 29th with a social mixer at the Duncan Miller Gallery in West LA. Attendees enjoyed an exhibit of Kim Weston’s new work based on his silver gelatin photographs of ballerinas. A number of LAB dancers were in attendance and a percentage of the gallery’s sales benefitted Los Angeles Ballet. LAB continues to build a repertoire that underscores the creative leadership of its artistic directors, presenting timeless classics as well as innovative choreography from today’s contemporary artists. DOWNLOAD PDF Home / News / New Item

Something rare is afoot in Los Angeles. To put it simply, “Swan Lake.” Yes, that icon of classical exactitude and style is popping up on stages all over. And the producer turns out to be not some long-standing, well-endowed enterprise on tour here, but the LA Ballet, which is a mere six years old. Swan feathers float down on local stages March 14, 2012 LA Observed by Donna Perlmutter Something rare is afoot in Los Angeles. To put it simply, “Swan Lake.” Yes, that icon of classical exactitude and style is popping up on stages all over. And the producer turns out to be not some long-standing, well-endowed enterprise on tour here, but the LA Ballet, which is a mere six years old. Why? Why would brand-name husband/wife directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary be confident enough to mount this behemoth of a ballet? This vast spectacle designed for the likes of kingly companies with multi-millions -- the Bolshoi, American Ballet Theatre, Royal Covent Garden, Royal Danish? Answer: They have the chops now, that is, the dancers, together with their deep, artistic savvy. And they know it. All I did was tip-toe into Royce Hall - the first stop in a city-wide tour of major Southland venues that continues through March 31 - only to discover a production of the Petipa-Ivanov-Tchaikovsky ballet that approximated world-class standards. The capstone of all this cheering came in the second act - you know, the famed lakeside scene, that moonlit mirage with the snowy white swan corps floating about and Prince Siegfried sensing the imminent appearance of his fateful inamorata Odette, aka the Swan Queen, turned from maiden into an avian creature by an evil sorcerer. And when she alit onstage, in the person of Allynne Noelle, the effect was dazzling -- as that first sighting was meant to be. Tall, with perfect proportions and gorgeously tapering long limbs, this Swan Queen had both bird-like spark and human pathos, her hand articulation spelling out regal elegance. She danced with alacrity and definition and fluid musicality. It was as though she’d been in training at Vaganova since adolescence - not a girl from Huntington Beach - although she’d done stints at redoubtable dance oases (National Ballet of Canada, Villella’s Miami City Ballet and not least, Vicky Koenig’s Inland Pacific Ballet). So...with Noelle and a host of others now just in their second season with LAB, Christensen and Neary knew this was their moment. In fact, the bench is deep enough to alternate the lead role, as well as others. But that’s not all. These high-pedigree directors (he a Royal Dane, she a Balanchine Trustee), who have both formerly danced the “Swan Lake” lead roles for years, boast wide contacts for bringing resources to the company -- the dancers, for instance -- and this production, originally designed for Pacific Northwest Ballet. Besides Noelle, who joined LAB only 18 months ago, is Alyssa Bross, the alternate lead. I glimpsed her rehearsing Odile (the Black Swan), and saw richly expressive qualities - she used every enticement to undermine the Prince’s oath to Odette and was a dewy seductress, not the hard, haughty type who would laugh at her easy conquest. And when she danced Odette, it was with aching vulnerability - which belies her photograph on the program book cover, a misleadingly placid look. No wonder Christensen went forward with “Swan Lake.” He knew he’d recruited the talent - many had trained at prestigious schools and had danced with top companies. As Noelle’s and Bross’s partners, both Kenta Shimizu and Christopher Revels acquitted themselves nobly, if not exactly at the danseur level. Guest artist Akimitsu Yahata did his thrilling bravura stuff as the Jester. But down to the last coryphée, the coaching was scrupulous. Everyone had clear focus and a sense of unanimity, even the mimed gestures were natural. What’s more, the muted, old-world sets and costumes looked lovely on the Royce Hall stage, as if made for it. Considering that taped music allows for no moment-to-moment variation, the company coped well. DONNA PERLMUTTER is an ASCAP-Award winning music/dance critic and journalist whose work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times and many other publications. She is also the author of “Shadowplay: The Life of Antony Tudor.” Email her at donna.perlmutter@gmail.com . DOWNLOAD PDF Home / News / New Item

LAB’s signature holiday fundraiser in support of our Outreach and Education Programs is an afternoon tea party experience for guests of all ages, culminating in a special presentation of scenes from The Nutcracker. FAQ Nutcracker Tea! Occupancy Is this an Indoor Event? – Yes! As in the past, Nutcracker Tea! will take place inside the 2nd Floor Astor Ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria, Beverly Hills Guests will ride an elevator to the 2nd Floor and be escorted directly to their designated table Your table will include only your guests (see below) Access to Upstairs Lobby will be limited Seating What is the Maximum Number household/pod seated at one table? There will be only one party seated at each table Upon arrival, guests will be escorted directly to their table What are the Sizes of the tables ? There are 3 sizes of tables: Bistro Table can seat 1, 2 or 3 guests 6ft Banquet Table can seat 4, 5, or 6 guests 66” Round Gala Table can seat 7, 8, 9, or 10 guests Social Distancing How is LAB Managing Traffic Flow and providing for social distancing this year? Upon entrance, guests will be escorted directly to their assigned tables Crafts will be done at your table (see below) Before the program, children will be invited up to the stage, and each will have a special spot upon which to sit and watch Are we doing Crafts this year? Yes! This year we are eliminating the craft room – but not the crafts! Crafts will be wrapped individually and placed at your place-setting for each child (or adult who wants one) to create at their seat Materials will not be shared There will be no glue or mess How will LAB manage social distancing during Boutique, Shopping, Mystery Boxes, Pics with Santa & Nutcracker characters, etc? The lobby area is where many activities take place Access to lobby will be controlled Will LAB invite children up to the Stage for Performance? As in the past, before the dance portion of the program, children will be invited up to the stage Each child will have a special spot upon which to sit and watch the performance excerpts from The Nutcracker Will children be allowed to Dance with the Characters from The Nutcracker this year? Artistic Directors, Colleen and Thordal are strategizing the safest way to enable your children to interact with the LAB dancers Personal Safety LAB and Waldorf Astoria, BH will adhere to the most current COVID 19 mandates as assigned by the State and County. Please visit current guidelines at https://coronavirus.lacity.org Will we be required to wear Masks? At this time, we anticipate that masks will be required for all guests and staff You will be able to remove your mask while sitting at your table Will we be required to show Proof of Vaccination or Negative COVID test? Proof of Vaccination or negative test within 72 hours of event may be required in accordance with the CDC Guidelines Air Filtration What Air Filtration System is used at the Waldorf Astoria, Beverly Hills? Below are the Air Filtration Steps the Waldorf Astoria, BH uses to ensure safety: Outside fresh air first enters through air-handler system located on rooftop The rooftop air-handler unit uses two-stage filtration. MERV 8 pre-filter traps 90% of airborne particles, followed by MERV 13 final filter which traps 98% of airborne particles Event Space: Fresh air from rooftop air-handler (MERV 13) is supplied to event space and is mixed with fresh air from additional filters (MERV 8). Each space has dedicated filters and do not interconnect Guest Rooms : Fresh air from rooftop air-handler (MERV 13) is supplied to guestroom and is mixed with fresh air from additional filter located above balcony doors (MERV 8). Each guestroom has dedicated filters and do not interconnect with other guestrooms How many Total Guests are at each performance? Capacity is reduced by approximately 20% this year Current layout is for 94 seats, with a maximum capacity of 108 We anticipate having no more than 120 individuals (including staff and dancers) in the Ballroom at one time 2024/2025 Season / Nutcracker Tea! 2024 / Nutcracker Tea FAQ /