Professional dancers & magician from America’s Got Talent in 2023 performances
ST. AUGUSTINE, FL — The Sugar Plum Fairy, Clara, the Mouse King, and all the favorite Nutcracker characters will return to the St. Augustine stage this holiday season. Saint Augustine Ballet presents the 15th Annual Nutcracker — a timeless classic featuring professional ballet dancers and dance students from St. Augustine and surrounding areas. This holiday favorite will be staged December 15-17, 2023 with four performances in Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College, 14 Granada St., downtown St. Augustine, Florida. Tickets are available at saintaugustineballet.org
“I am thrilled to bring the Nutcracker once again to the community during St. Augustine’s popular Nights of Lights event,” said Luis Abella, Executive Director and Founder of Saint Augustine Ballet.
“For the 15th anniversary, we have added more professional ballet dancers and arts performers to the show, with some special surprises for the audience!”
A cast of more than 55 local dance students, professional guest artists, and community “celebrities” will perform in the 15th annual Nutcracker. Ballet students Emma Maroney, Adelaide Pacetti and Adele Woodward will share the role of Clara.
Mayara Pineiro from the Philadelphia Ballet will dance the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy; Brian Guerrero from Sarasota Cuban Ballet School will perform as Snow Cavalier and Soldier; Ian Rojas from the Gulfcoast Studio Company of the Sarasota Cuban Ballet School will perform as the Prince; Jeremy Mikaelson plays Drosselmeyer, an award-winning magician from Russian Ballet Orlando; Marite Fuentes, formerly with the Cuban National Ballet, will play multiple roles; and Jolynne Waldner, a former Saint Augustine Ballet student who recently trained with Sarasota Ballet’s Trainee Program, will also dance in multiple roles.
Mayara Pineiro from the Philadelphia Ballet will dance the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in the 2023 Nutcracker by St. Augustine Ballet.
Community dancers in the opening scene include Georgia Garrett, Bethany & Dan Hilbert, Lauren & Michael Carpenter, James McCune, Christy Opsahl, Elinette Ruiz-Diaz de la Portilla & Miguel Dias de la Portilla, Luis Abella, and Liliana Gonzalez.
Show times are 7 p.m. Friday, December 15; 1:30 and 7 p.m. Saturday, December 16; and 2 p.m. Sunday, December 17. Tickets and more details are available at saintaugustineballet.org
Saint Augustine Ballet offers performance opportunities to dancers from St. Augustine, St. Johns County and the surrounding area. Scholarships are provided for students who need support. The Saint Augustine Ballet is a nonprofit performing arts organization founded in 2010. For more details, go to saintaugustineballet.org
Saint Augustine Ballet has partnered with The Local Motel, a renovated retro motel on Anastasia Island that was voted Top 3 in the prestigious ‘Best Roadside Motel’ in America category by USA Today 10Best. Book a room when you visit to watch the Nutcracker. Details at www.thelocalinns.com
Saint Augustine Ballet events are sponsored in part by the Florida Division of Arts and Culture, the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council, TD Bank, and other generous community partners and sponsors.
IF YOU GO
The Saint Augustine Nutcracker Ballet
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WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday, December 15; 1:30 & 7 p.m. Saturday, December 16; and 2 p.m. Sunday, December 17
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WHERE: Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College, 14 Granada St., downtown St. Augustine.
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TICKETS: $35, $45 and $50 per seat
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RESERVATIONS: saintaugustineballet.org
