This year, Ms. Calligan has again brought in professional dancers to dance alongside the lead roles in the ballet:

 

Michael Stone will return as the Cavalier dancing with Sugar Plum Fairy, Lily Marion
Michael recently graduated with his Bachelor’s on scholarship at Southern Methodist University. He’s performed classical works like Giselle and A Midsummer's Night Dream as well as modern works such as Shapiro and Smith's To Have and To Hold and Paul Taylor's Mercuric Tidings. Michael was fortunate to travel to New York City to perform in the 70th Anniversary Jose Limón International Dance Festival as a soloist in the classic work There is a Time. He is a former member of Ballet Dallas, and a former Artist in Residence with North Central Ballet Theater, Festival Ballet Theater, and Collin County Ballet Theatre.

 

Nathan Crewe-Kluge dances as the Nutcracker Prince alongside Jillian Lee as Clara

Nathan hails from La Grange, IL. Growing up near Chicago, he most notably trained under Claire Bataille in the Lou Conte Scholarship Program, and received additional training from programs with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Giordano Dance Chicago, DanceWorks Chicago, and River North Dance Chicago. In 2019 Nathan had the privilege of studying classical ballet abroad at Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts. Nathan graduated summa cum laude from SUNY Purchase College with a BFA in Dance Performance & Composition in 2021. Nathan has danced previously with Chicago Repertory Ballet and Winifred Haun & Dancers. Nathan has performed works by Joshua Blake Carter, Rena Butler, Merce Cunningham, Kristopher Estes-Brown, Martha Graham, José Limón, Katlin Michael Bourgeois, Joshua L. Peugh, Jerome Robbins, Helder Seabra, Doug Varone, and Leigh Warren. Nathan currently dances with Mareck Dance (formerly Missouri Contemporary Ballet), and is in his second season.                          

​

Colin Meiring returns in his role as Drosselmeyer in the Party Scene.   Local performer, Colin Meiring started his Performing Arts career at the age of six, competing in Ballroom dancing and won every National title in South Africa. He diversified into musical theatre, television and film performing around the globe. Colin gained International experience performing, choreographing and directing shows for Royal Caribbean and Silversea Cruises. Colin is also a beloved instructor at the Vail Valley Academy of Dance and Artistic Director at the Vail Performing Arts Academy.