COLORADO CONSERVATORY OF DANCE PRESENTS A TIMELESS FAMILY CLASSIC “THE NUTCRACKER”

Colorado Conservatory of Dance (CCD) will present a full-length production of Denver Metro’s family favorite ballet, The Nutcracker, presented by Sill-TerHar Motors on December 10, 11, 17 & 18 at the Performing Arts Complex at Pinnacle Charter School, 1001 W. 84^th Ave., Denver. With ticket prices beginning at $24, and a maximum premium seating price of only $58, the CCD production offers an ideal balance of professional quality and affordability for families wishing to share this one-of-a-kind experience together.
 
The CCD production, presented yearly since 1993, boasts gorgeous sets and costumes, stunning choreography, and professional guest artists from around the country. Following each performance, CCD is the only one in the Denver metro area that allows children to learn choreography from the ballet and perform it ONSTAGE for their family. Audience members also have the opportunity to meet the Nutcracker Prince, Clara, and many other characters from the ballet for autographs and photos to complete the magical experience.
 
The 2022 production features international guest stars Ji Young Chae and Patrick Yocum, both Principal dancers with Boston Ballet, who will perform the roles of Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier on December 10 & 11. These leading roles will be danced by Chisako Oga, a Soloist with Boston Ballet, and Daniel Durrett, a Second Soloist with Boston Ballet on December 17 & 18, 2022. Additionally, former Wonderbound dancer and local celebrity Colby Foss will be performing the role of Snow King for all performances.
 
CCD’s mission statement, “we unleash individual potential and invigorate community through dance,” manifests itself through its production of The Nutcracker, as it features over 50 student cast members. Some of these students are training with the conservatory on either financial based or crisis relief scholarships. In fact, CCD provides nearly $90,000 of tuition assistance per year as part of its belief that dance should be an enriching and fulfilling experience that is accessible to everyone, regardless of age, ability, aspiration, or socio-economic status. These students have rehearsed for over 150 hours before it hits the Pinnacle stage, the result is a visually stunning, beautifully executed production which delights audiences of all ages.
 
One audience member said of the production, “Even after 16 years of watching CCD’s Nutcracker, it never ceases to amaze me. Every year is more sensational than the last with all the pieces we know and love, but each year they continue to innovate and make it more delightful and beloved than the last. Already looking forward to next year’s show!”
 
Another attendee remarked, "It would not be the Christmas season without CCD's festive production of The Nutcracker. The production is so beautiful and the dancers so accomplished that it is as wonderful as any professional show. It is a joy to experience each and every year!" 
 
In addition to the performances listed above, CCD is especially proud for the seventh year to offer its signature “Sensory-Friendly” performance of the ballet on December 16 at 6:30 PM. Building on its expertise from its groundbreaking Dance Expressions program, which uses dance to build critical developmental skills and physical strength & flexibility for children with challenges ranging from cerebral palsy to Down syndrome, CCD was the first in the state of Colorado to create this theatre-going experience for people with special needs. For the sensory-friendly performance, the conservatory alters the “typical” house rules, fostering the opportunity for audiences with special needs family members to feel welcomed in a theatre setting. The performance looks and feels identical to others on the calendar offered to the general public, but allows for authentic reactions among its audience members that may otherwise be seen as distracting in a typical theatre setting. Specifically, sound levels are adjusted to a moderate, consistent level to avoid surprises or distractions; house lights are left up to prevent total darkness; special needs “Guests of Honor” are encouraged to bring manipulatives into the theatre and may react to the story on stage in ways that feel correct to them (including standing, walking around, taking breaks, etc.); and seating is limited to no more than half the house to ensure each audience member has adequate space around them.
 
WHEN:                                      
December 10 (1:00pm and 6:30pm)
December 11 (1:00pm)
December 17 (1:00 and 6:30pm)
December 18 (1:00pm)
 
TICKETS:                                   
Adult (19 years and up): $58 prime | $48 standard | $38 value
Senior (65 years and up): $48 prime | $38 standard | $28 value
Teen (ages 12 to 18): $48 prime | $38 standard | $28 value
Child (ages 12 and under): $44 prime | $34 standard | $24 value
 
To order tickets please visit http://www.nutcracker2022.com or call 303.466.5685