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We Need Your Support Now
Now more than ever, we need your support. Please consider contributing, to help us during this critical time. Every contribution is significant in helping us to sustain operations, and deeply appreciated by everyone at MBS.
With your support, we will once again prevail during this precarious time.
Event COVID-19 Preparedness Plan
Safety and screening
Staff and visitors attending the event are asked to self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms using the Stay Safe MN Health Screening Checklist. Staff and visitors exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 during their visit will be asked to leave the venue.
COVID vaccines are being administered across Minnesota. We encourage attendees to get vaccinated before attending. Vaccines are the best way to prevent infection and limit the spread of COVID-19 to others. For more information, see the MDH COVID-19 Vaccine webpage.
Masks
Masks are required for all guests ages 3 and older, regardless of vaccination status, except people with health conditions. Face coverings may be temporarily removed while eating or drinking provided that physical distancing is maintained.
If staff and visitors arrive without a mask, masks are available at the box office.
Ticketing
Ticket purchases are encouraged to be completed prior to arriving to Event. However, walk-up sales will be permitted and patrons can purchase tickets at the Box Office.
All patrons are strongly encouraged to use mobile tickets, delivered to their personal devices.
Cyber Monday – 24 Hours to Save 15%
ONE DAY ONLY – Save 15% on The Nutcracker, use code: MONNUT21
* Offer ends 11/29/21 at 11:59 p.m.
2022 FEATURED GUEST ARTISTS
SAMANTHA HOWE (Sugar Plum)
Samantha, originally from Windsor, CT, trained at Connecticut Concert Ballet in her early years under direction of Wendy Fish-Lawrence and David Lawrence. She then left home to train at Walnut Hill School for the Arts during her high school years. Upon graduating in 2017, Sam joined Ballet Austin’s fellowship program and second company where she had the opportunity to perform George Balanchine’s Valse Fantaisie, and Petipa’s Paquita Pas de Trois. She then joined Ballet Tucson as a senior apprentice. In 2021 she started her first season as an apprentice with Rochester City Ballet and was promoted mid-season to a company member. Being in the corps de ballet of George Balanchine’s Concerto Barroco has been her favorite moment on stage so far in her professional career.
LIAM COLCLOUGH (Sugar Plum Cavalier)
Liam started his ballet training at age four with the School of the Minnesota Ballet. He has attended summer intensives at Milwaukee Ballet, Ballet Austin, Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, and Ellison Ballet NYC. Some of Liam’s most notable roles include Fritz and Russian dancer in Allen Fields’ The Manhattan Nutcracker, and the male lead in Giselle: Peasant Pas de Deux, staged by Karin Ellis-Wentz. After competing and receiving first place at Youth America Grand Prix regionals in 2020, Liam received a full tuition scholarship to train with Joffrey Academy in Chicago where he danced from 2020-2022. At Joffrey, he studied character, classical ballet, contemporary, Cunningham, and Horton techniques. In 2022, Liam received first and third places at Youth America Grand Prix regionals and competed as a finalist in Tampa. He currently dances with the Rochester City Ballet.
ANDREW LESTER (Nutcracker Prince)
Andrew Lester is an award-winning professional dancer based in St. Paul. Andrew graduated with his BFA in Dance from the University of Minnesota in 2006 and has gone on to become a staple of the Twin Cities dance community for almost 20 years. He was a full-time company member of James Sewell Ballet for six seasons. He has also been dancing with local modern company Shapiro & Smith Dance for over 12 years. As a freelance artist, he has collaborated with a variety of esteemed Minnesota companies, including Twin Cities Ballet of MN, Metropolitan Ballet, Continental Ballet, Eclectic Edge Ensemble, Ethnic Dance Theatre, Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater, and the Minnesota Opera. In 2012, he was honored to receive a Sage Award for Outstanding Performer for his work in Shapiro & Smith’s Family and Joseph Morrissey's One. Career highlights include performing for modern dance legend Merce Cunningham, studying under the tutelage of celebrated ballerina Anna-Marie Holmes, and premiering Titicut Follies: The Ballet with James Sewell Ballet in New York City and at the Festival de Danse in Cannes, France.
ALEC TRELSTAD (Rat King)
Alec is a dancer, actor, and visual artist native to Minnesota. He has performed at multiple venues around the twin cities including Ritz Theater, The Guthrie Theater, The Cowles Center. This is Alec’s second classical ballet appearance through MN Ballet School’s training and is excited to be afforded the chance to dance. “I encourage dancers of any discipline or style to really immerse yourself in this amazing art form. It will challenge you, make you more confident in technique and push your boundaries of musical expression.”
Summer Programs 2021
Youth Classes
Minnesota Ballet School offers a classical ballet program that provides preparatory and systematic ballet training using Vaganova Syllabus, a comprehensive curriculum, proven to instill in dancers incomparable technique, while striving for a greater sense of artistry, clarity, grace, athleticism, speed and musicality.
All Summer Programs have In-Person options. For dancers who are unable to take in person classes, we are also offering a via ZOOM option.
Summer Intensive
This 2-week program dedicated to explore the demands of deep classical ballet education and a professional career. You’ll be introduced to the world known ballet’s repertory while studying technique, pointe, pas de deux, batterie, contemporary dance, and conditioning.
Art & Craft Camps
Ballet Art and Craft camps is always a sure favorite with kids who artistically
inclined or not. Children will have fun to learn dances from MBS repertoire and
creating variety of projects us magic wand, wings, crown or little tutu’s that will be used in dances they learn.
The Great Halloween Adventure Auditions
Youth Recreational Classes
All classes are offered in-person or via ZOOM®. You can choose your option when registering.
Conditioning, Strength and Stretch (ages 8-18)
This class is designed to build strength as well as extensions, endurance and balance. Special exercises will focus on muscle stretching and flexing, enhancing pirouettes, increasing movement speed, jumps with heights and timing escalating. The goal of this class is to make your children better dancers.
• Wednesday 6:30-7:15pm
$25 – drop in class
Latin Ballroom (ages 8-18)
This class is a great way to dip your toe into a fun new dance. Each class is held on a weekly basis and is focused on one dance. Each class builds on the previous week's curriculum to provide a cohesive learning experience. Different dances will be featured each month. .
• Wednesday 7:15-8:00pm
• October 13- November 3 • 4 classes
• November 10 - December 8 • 5 classes
• January 12 - February 16 • 6 classes
• February 23- March 23 • 5 classes
• April 6- May 11 • 6 classes
Join Us
Support Our Nutcracker Dancers
MBT guest star dancers dedicate hours to bring this holiday classic to life.
Your donation supports their artistry, ensuring fair compensation for their talent and effort.
Want to personalize your support?
Include the name or role of a dancer you'd like to honor in your donation notes.
Every contribution matters!
Summer Ballet Programs for All Ages!
Join us this summer for inspiring ballet classes for children, teens, and adults — from our youngest dancers in Pre-Ballet to advanced intensives and adult beginner classes. Stay active, build technique, and enjoy the art of dance all summer long!
Limited spots available — register today!