Live music by the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra
Fri. and Sat., Nov. 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m. | Sun., Nov. 23 at 2:30 p.m.
The Northwest Florida Ballet (NFB) returns to the Mattie Kelly Arts Center (MKAC) for the 46th annual production of The Nutcracker. NFB’s The Nutcracker features live music by the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra (NFSO), led by NFB Music Director and Conductor David Ott and is the only full-length version of the classic holiday fairytale presented in the area.
“The Nutcracker is a cherished holiday tradition for families across our region, and each year we strive to bring fresh artistry and excellence to the stage while honoring its timeless magic. From our talented local dancers to our world-class guest artists and live orchestra, this production represents the best of who we are,” said NFB Artistic Director/CEO Todd Eric Allen.
With a cast of 140 performers, including international guest artists and over 100 local children, The Nutcracker will feature Evelyn Thai as Clara with Tyler Ruhland as the boisterous Fritz. Thai is a 10th grade student in the NFB Pre-Professional Program (PPP), and Tyler is in the 7th grade at the NFB Académie. Returning for his thirtieth appearance, NFB’s Artistic Director/CEO, Todd Eric Allen, reprises his role as Drosselmeyer, and Lindsey White will entertain audiences as the vivacious Mouse Queen. International guest artists Daynelis Muñoz and Joseph Gatti will dance the roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Prince Cavalier, respectively.
Guest artists Nikolas Gaifullin and Hannah Powell will perform the principal roles of Snow King and Queen in Act 1, and Powell will also dance the role of Dew Drop Fairy in Act II. Guest artist Telmen Munkherdene will delight audiences as the Harlequin Doll and Lead Russia Dancer. NFB alumnus Max Murdock will perform the roles of the Nutcracker Prince as well as the lead Spanish dancer, along with NFB company member Aaliyah Guthrie. NFB dancer Sophia Killelea and guest artists John Aaron Wiggins and Nikolas Gaifullin will perform the Arabian Pas de Trois. NFB company member Maille Blow will perform the leading role in the Dance of the Reed Flutes. Gaifullin, Powell, Munkherdene and Wiggins are all dancers with New Orleans Ballet Theatre.
Ott, a Pulitzer Prize and Grammy award nominee, will lead the NFSO and provide live musical accompaniment for all public performances of NFB’s The Nutcracker. In his 10th year as the NFB Music Director, Ott has been cited among America’s most-performed composers of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The NFSO is a 65-piece professional orchestra under the leadership of Music Director Todd Craven and resides at the MKAC.
Box office-priced tickets are $48 for adults and $22 for children 12 and under. Visit NFBallet.org/the-nutcracker or call the MKAC Box Office at (850) 729-6000 to purchase tickets.
NFB Académie Winter Auditions Set for Dec. 6
The Northwest Florida Ballet Académie is accepting reservations for winter auditions for the 2025–26 academic year. Auditions for third- and fourth-grade students will be held Saturday, Dec. 6, beginning at 10 a.m. at the NFB Studios, 310 Perry Ave. SE, Fort Walton Beach.
Third graders need no prior dance training; fourth graders must have at least one year of formal ballet. Candidates will be evaluated on flexibility, rhythm, coordination, and enthusiasm. Each audition lasts about 20 minutes, and parents must remain onsite.
Advance registration is required by 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, at www.NFBallet.org/Auditions.
Celebrating over two decades of excellence, the NFB Académie is a free, nationally recognized program for grades 3–8 combining academics with daily ballet and weekly instruction in art, music, and French. For more information, contact Joy Elpedes at (850) 664-7787 or jelpedes@nfballet.org. Spanish materials are available online.
