Dear Friends, 

Welcome to our 17th season and today’s enchanting production of Nutcracker Sweets! We are delighted to share this special experience with you.

In 2017, we proudly introduced our first sensory-friendly performance in partnership with the UVA Accessible Theatre Project. Today’s abridged production continues to uphold that mission: to provide a joyful and accessible theater experience for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), sensory sensitivities, hearing impairments, or other disabilities. This performance has been thoughtfully tailored to tell the beloved Nutcracker story in under 60 minutes, creating a warm, inclusive, and judgment-free environment. Please feel free to move, vocalize, or express yourself freely –this space is for everyone!

Since Charlottesville Ballet’s humble premiere of The Nutcracker Suite in 2010, we have continually updated our annual holiday production. Each year we collaborate with partners, bringing the joy of live music, innovative choreography, and enhanced costumes that are tailor-fit for every cast. The 2024 production of The Nutcracker features over 295 performers in multiple casts with dancers, singers, and musicians from across Central Virginia. 

Today’s abridged performance features a narrated introduction of Act I, followed by the vibrant dances of Act II in the Land of the Sweets. In this reimagined version, we focus on Clara’s journey of friendship, triumph, and dreams, celebrating the universal themes that unite us all. Our Act II transcends outdated cultural representations to focus on the delectable treats of the Land of the Sweets, inviting everyone to share in the magic of this timeless story.

Thank you for joining us for this inaugural sensory-friendly holiday performance. Your presence enriches this experience and strengthens the bonds of our community. We are honored to be part of your holiday traditions and look forward to creating magical memories with you.

Sincerely, 

Sara Clayborne & Emily Hartka 
Co-Founders/Directors