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Segerstrom Center announces the return of its popular holiday tradition – American Ballet Theatre’s captivating production of The Nutcracker. Co-presented by the Center and ABT with choreography by ABT Artist in Residence Alexei Ratmansky. This is the 6th time that Segerstrom Center for the Arts presents American Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker, Southern California’s grandest production of this beloved holiday tradition. This Nutcracker features ABT’s international all-star cast and students from Segerstrom Center’s American Ballet Theatre William J. Gillespie School.
ABT has a long, storied history of producing several critically acclaimed productions of this annual child-friendly classic tale of Clara and the Nutcracker over the years (previous versions were by Mikhail Baryshnikov and ABT Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie). The Nutcracker, with its timeless music by Tchaikovsky and fairytale costumes and exotic dances, is the perfect way to introduce children to dance and even inspire them to study dance and become a little Clara or Nutcracker Prince.
Sawyer (12) and Gisella ( 9 ) are local dancers and part of this year’s Nutcracker performance.
Gisella is a 9 year old ballet dancer who has trained as a scholarship student with the American Ballet Theatre William J. Gillespie School of Dance for the past five years. In addition to her classical ballet training, Gisella has prior experience in competitive dance performance and ballet folklorico. Gisella attended her first summer intensive program hosted by ABT in 2021. Gisella spent prior summers exploring various dance styles at Casa Romantica’s summer dance workshop located in San Clemente. Gisella and her family are thrilled to be a part of this year’s Nutcracker performance and are grateful for ABT’s amazing dance community.
Sawyer is twelve years old and is thrilled to be back on the big stage. Sawyer started dancing and performing at eight years old and has also performed professionally in West Side Story with 5 Star Theatricals in 2019. Sawyer has participated in multiple main stage productions, such as Bruce in Matilda with Encore Productions, and with Phantom Projects he played Charles Wallace in A Wrinkle in Time. Sawyer has a comedic side and recently performed as Donkey in the production of Shrek Jr. with Broadway Arts Studio in Lake Forest where he is spending most of his time following his passion in acting and multiple styles of dance, including tap. Sawyer loves to play video games, ride his bike, and surf. Sawyer is represented by and so grateful for RSA Talent and Avalon Artists Agency.
Here is a fun Q and A with them:
Name some of your favorite teachers and tell us how
they helped you.
Gisella: My two favorite teachers are Miss Melanie Hawkes and Miss Sarah Jones because they both are super kind and help me with my posture and turn out. Miss Melanie is my teacher this year and Miss Sarah was my teacher last year in Level 1. All the teachers at ABT make sure we dance our best and sometimes they even make us treats!
Sawyer: Mr. Troy Magino at Broadway Arts Studio is my favorite dance teacher because he introduced me to the foundations of ballet. He inspires me because he also worked hard to get where he is. He was on Broadway. He teaches us to work hard, but also have fun in the process. He is friendly, patient and is a fun teacher.
Mr. Chase Thomas also was my first musical theater teacher and he helped me discover how fun it was to perform and be on stage when I was nine years old.
He also made us work very hard.
What other talents and hobbies do you enjoy besides dance.
Gisella: Dance is my number one hobby and I dance 3 days a week, but when I am not dancing I like to swim, play tennis and beach volleyball. They are all very fun and energetic. I also go to school. I am a 4th grader in elementary school in Laguna Beach. This past year I came in first in the jog-a-thon at my school because I have really strong legs from ballet!
Sawyer: I also love acting and I want to be an actor one day.
Tell us about your ballet shoes.
Gisella: I am in Level 2A and we use ballet slippers. I prefer leather split sole shoes because they make it easier to turn. It is important the shoes fit well and my teachers tell me not to sickle or turn my feet in. At ABT we do not start pointe shoes until Level 2B at the end of the year. It is a very important time in dance class because it means our feet are ready to dance en pointe and we get to have a pointe shoe party. For my nutcracker performance, I play the roles of a fairy and a party boy, and I will be using pink and black canvas ballet shoes.
Do you have any advice for other dancers on how to stay healthy and hydrated?
Gisella: Some tips I have for dancers are to always stay hydrated and eat healthy food. During my summer dance intensive, the nutritionist taught us to make snack bags of nuts and dry fruits to eat in between our classes. I bring a water bottle to all my classes and during nutcracker rehearsals I also bring a healthy lunch. On Fridays we have a special conditioning class in addition to our technique class to help train our bodies.
Sawyer: It is important to bring water and be healthy so you can keep up in your dance and don’t get worn out.
Stay hydrated and take a lot of breaks when you are dancing.
What do you like to do in your spare time, when you are not dancing?
Gisella: In my spare time, I like to read and hang out with my friends and Corgi dog and go to the beach here in Laguna!
Sawyer: I like to play video games and hang out with my family. We go to theme parks and do other fun things in the community.
A special thank you to PR Expert – David Barber, Sarah Jones – Children’s Division Principal Teacher and Coordinator at ABT,
Gisella and Sawyers Parents for helping ALNews to put this Q and A together !
Photo Credit: Sawyer’s Family
“This Nutcracker is cracking good!” raved the New York Post when American Ballet Theatre premiered this delectable holiday favorite. As the lights dim and Tchaikovsky’s beautiful score fills the air, young Clara enters a dreamlike journey amid magical toy soldiers, mischievous mice, sparkling snowflakes and a glittering Christmas tree! With an impressive cast of more than 100 performers, ABT’s The Nutcracker features set and costumes by Richard Hudson (Tony Award winner, The Lion King), with choreography by ABT Artist in Residence Alexei Ratmansky. The Orange County Register praised it as a “… colorful, cinematic creation filled with spectacle, humor and eye-popping costumes.”
Music: Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky, performed by Pacific Symphony
Choreography: Alexei Ratmansky
Set and Costume Designer: Richard Hudson
Lighting Designer: Jennifer Tipton
Principal Casting
ABT Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie has released principal casting which will include Hee Seo as Clara, the Princess, and Cory Stearns as The Nutcracker Prince on Opening Night, Friday, December 10. * Indicates first time in role.
Friday, December 10 at 7 p.m. – Hee Seo, Cory Stearns
Saturday, December 11 at 2 p.m. – Skylar Brandt*, Herman Cornejo
Saturday, December 11 at 7 p.m. – Christine Shevchenko, Thomas Forster
Sunday, December 12 at 12:30 p.m. – Devon Teuscher*, Joo Won Ahn
Sunday, December 12 at 5:30 p.m. — Skylar Brandt*, Herman Cornejo
Wednesday, December 15 at 7 p.m.- Isabella Boylston, James Whiteside
Thursday, December 16 at 7 p.m. – Catherine Hurlin*, Aran Bell
Friday, December 17 at 7 p.m. — Devon Teuscher, Joo Won Ahn
Saturday, December 18 at 2 p.m. — Hee Seo, Cory Stearns
Saturday, December 18 at 7 p.m. — Christine Shevchenko, Thomas Forster
Sunday, December 19 at 12:30 p.m. – Isabella Boylston, James Whiteside
Sunday, December 19 at 5:30 p.m. – Catherine Hurlin, Aran Bell
Artists and program subject to change.
* Indicates first time performing the role.
Pride Night at ABT’s The Nutcracker
Wednesday, Dec. 15 @ 7pm
Use promo code: PRIDENIGHT
$105 Price includes:
– Orchestra Ticket, Rows Q – S
– Premium Drink Ticket (Mixed Drink, Wine or Champagne)
– and Kurt Adler Love is Love Christmas ornament
Running time (approximate): 1 hour and 52 minutes
Audience Advisory:
All ticket holders must wear a mask AND provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of performance or utilize our onsite rapid testing which is available for this production at a cost of $30/test. Guests over the age of 18 must also bring photo ID.
