Creating Holiday Magic: Step Into a Land of Sweets with Ballet Lubbock

Since 1969, Ballet Lubbock has been guided by its founder, Suzanne Acre’s vision of bringing ballet to everyone in the community and changing lives through dance. Although Ballet Lubbock has grown and changed a great deal over the years, one of those being its move into the Buddy Holly Hall, that mission has remained. They serve students from early childhood through adulthood and present professional-quality performances. They also bring dance to schools, hospitals and other places in the community.  

It’s taken many forms, but Ballet Lubbock has performed The Nutcracker since its early days, with the first full-length production in 1978. Ballet Lubbock’s Artistic Director, Lily Balogh, said, “From the beginning, The Nutcracker has created the tradition of bringing the Lubbock community together through dance and music.”

But that’s also true for families across the entire region who come to see The Nutcracker. The music is instantly recognizable, and nothing compares to the magic of seeing children’s faces light up when they see the Sugar Plum Fairy. Watching the performance mirrors the story itself, as the audience is taken into the iconic fairy tale. Although it looks easy, Balogh told us that a lot of work goes into making the performance look seamless.

“We start rehearsing and casting in August, and then our wardrobe team starts even before that,” Balogh explained. “They start over the summer to put together all of the costumes for the next year. So, it's a collaboration between so many talented people.”  

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It takes about 250 dancers and 100 production staff, crew members and volunteers to get The Nutcracker to the stage every December. For months, these dancers are in the studio every Saturday, taking classes and rehearsing perfecting each part of the show.  

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While the choreography and music are at the heart of the performance, the magic is all in the details. The costumes, lighting, scenery, character development, and the way the dancers inhabit the world of The Nutcracker make the experience captivating for people of all ages.

"A young child might be captivated by the dancing mice, while an adult might appreciate the choreography, the music or the memories associated,” Balogh said. “One of the beautiful things about a production like this is that it changes as you grow. The performance brings a different experience at every stage of life, which is part of why people keep coming back.”

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If you’re looking to create new traditions with your loved ones this season, Ballet Lubbock’s production of The Nutcracker runs December 10th-13th. Get your tickets now on the Ballet Lubbock website or the Buddy Holly Hall website.