Nevada Dance Company's 'The Nutcracker' returns to Carson City for Thanksgiving holiday weekend
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Thu, 11/16/2023 - 4:19pm
Event Date:
November 24, 2023 - 7:00pm
Join Nevada Dance Company this Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 24-26, at the Carson City Community Center Theatre for a magical performance of the holiday classic "The Nutcracker."
Performances feature principal dancers who have performed with professional ballet companies such as Birmingham Royal Ballet (England), Slovak National Ballet, Sacramento Ballet and Smuin Ballet among others.
This production also features some of the most talented dancers and students from across the Northern Nevada region, including Kelsey Gerber from Minden and Gretchen LaWall of Gardnerville.
Gerber spent her youth dancing with the Dance Workshop. After high school, she trained with Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and spent two years performing with State Street Ballet’s apprentice company. Kelsey has spent summers training with Brenda Way, Twyla Tharp, Holly Johnston, Leah Cox, Shannon Gillen, Post Ballet, and others.
She later received a BFA in dance performance at UC Irvine. She has performed works by Twyla Tharp, Autumn Eckman, Saleemah E. Knight, Chad Michael Hall, Brenda Way, and others. Kelsey has been a company member with Brockus: RED, Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre, and Peter & Co., and has performed with Bellwether Dance Project and AXIS Dance Company. Kelsey is currently a member of Bay Area based companies, Ka·nei·see Collective and Alyssandra Katherine Dance. Kelsey has danced Chinese Soloist and Snow Soloist in NVDC's The Nutcracker since 2021 and danced in Alt-J and Gershwin Suits with NVDC.
Gretchen LaWall is a well established Pilates Teacher and Professional Dancer from Cary, North Carolina. She discovered her love for dance at a young age and trained extensively in ballet and jazz technique with Cary Ballet Conservatory from 1995-2009. While in NC, Gretchen performed as a guest with Carolina Ballet’s corp de ballet.
In 2009 Gretchen moved to Tucson to earn her BFA through the University of Arizona School of Dance on scholarship. During this time she performed a variety of Balanchine Ballets, traveling to NYC to perform at The Joyce Theatre and dancing within Martha Graham Dance Company's ”Dance is a Weapon.”
Outside of the University, Gretchen performed with Art.if.Act Dance Project touring China for 28 days. In 2012, Gretchen hung up her pointe shoes and moved to Chicago where she danced and toured worldwide with contemporary-jazz company, River North Dance Chicago. In the fall of 2015, Gretchen left RNDC and moved to San Francisco to try a new career as a freelance dancer/performer. While in SF Gretchen danced primarily with Garrett+Moulton Productions and guested with The San Francisco Symphony, West Edge Opera, The Move Messenger(s), and more.
In 2019, Gretchen left San Francisco and moved to Gardnerville to start a new life in Nevada. Now she is opening her first Pilates studio titled Your Body Pilates in Reno.
The holiday extravaganza will also feature professional dancers Gabrielle Collins and Jace Pauly from the esteemed Smuin Contemporary Ballet, gracing the stage as the snow king and queen for the Saturday evening and Sunday matinee performances.
Dylan Keane, of Sacramento Ballet will inspire and enchant audiences as the Snow King, Friday evening & Saturday matinee, as well as the Cavalier with Isabella Velasquez, Sacramento ballet, as his sugar plum, Saturday evening & Sunday matinee. Professional dancers Erica Chipp-Adams and Oliver Adams will return to inspire audiences as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier, Friday evening & Saturday matinee. Professional dancer Alexander Cain Biber will captivate you with his magical rendition of Drosselmyer.
Kelsey Gerber will take the stage as the Chinese Soloist, and Gretchen Lewall will deliver a captivating performance as the Arabian Soloist. The Nutcracker promises to captivate audiences of all ages.
Performances are:
— Friday, Nov. 24, 7 p.m.
— Saturday, Nov. 25, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
— Sunday, Nov. 26, 2 p.m.
Tickets for Nevada Dance Company's 'The Nutcracker' are available now by clicking here.
Nevada Dance Company, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is committed to promoting the art of dance and fostering a sense of community by providing opportunities for young dancers from Douglas County, Carson City, Reno, and Lake Tahoe to perform alongside professional dancers.
This year, the production boasts the collaborative effort of nine professionals and 80 young, talented dancers from the region.
Artistic directors Erica and Oliver Adams are proud to see The Nutcracker continue to grow and inspire the community year after year.
"The Nutcracker has become a staple for Northern Nevada to welcome in the holiday season. We are pleased to bring our own professional experience to this production and see it continue to grow and inspire every year," shared artistic directors Erica and Oliver Adams.
Don't miss this opportunity to experience the magic of The Nutcracker Ballet and create cherished holiday memories with your family and friends. Tickets start at $31 for General Admission and $27 for seniors and students. To secure your seats for this enchanting event, visit nevadadancecompany.com.
These shows are expected to sell out.
