Performances

The Nutcracker

Since 2001, Southern New Hampshire Youth Ballet presents an annual production of The Nutcracker based on the story by E.T.A. Hoffman and music by Pytor Ilyich Tchaikovsky during the holiday season at the historic Palace Theatre in downtown Manchester. To add to the intensity of the performance, the Youth Ballet is accompanied by a live orchestra, just as Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece was intended.

Each year, Youth Ballet performers are joined by many notable guest artists that have included Carlos Molina, former principal dancer with the Boston Ballet, Jeremy Collins, former Principal Dancer of the American Ballet Theatre and many Southern NH Dance Theater alumni, Lauren Stewart formerly of The Joffrey Ballet & Suzanne Farrell Ballet; Janice Niggeling from the Metropolitan Opera Ballet & the Broadway productions of Phantom of the Opera & West Side Story and Amy Von Handorf formerly of The Nevada Dance Theatre. The Youth Ballet is also joined each year by many celebrity guests that perform the role of Mother Ginger. Past celebrities have included WZID’s Mike Morin, John Clayton, Kria Sakakeeny or WMUR, Nazzy from JYY and the Morning Waking Crew and others.

Spring Performance

From 2001 to 2009, Southern New Hampshire Youth Ballet celebrated the coming of spring with Spring-Fling, a dance performance showcasing a wide array classical and original works. Past performances have include: the comedic ballet Graduation Ball choreographed by David Lichine; The Magic Toyshop (La Boutique Fantasque), Fairy Houses — The Ballet based on the children’s series by NH author & illustrator Tracy Kane and Fancy Nancy: Bonjour Butterfly based on the Fancy Nancy book series written by Jane O’Connor and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser.

And from 2012 to 2015, the Youth Ballet expanded its Spring performance to include some of New Hampshires finest performers in The New Hampshire Choreographer’s Showcase, a dynamic performance featuring some of New Hampshire’s finest choreographers and dance ensembles.

In the Spring of 2016, 2017 and 2018 the Youth Ballet premiered original productions of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Sleeping Beauty, Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet and The Ugly Duckling. This year the Youth Ballet will present a new original children’s story along sideThe Ugly Duckling.

Year-End Performances

At the end of the school year, Southern New Hampshire Dance Theater presents its Year-End Performance. All dancers attending regular classes at the Southern New Hampshire Dance Theater are invited to participate. Traditionally, three separate shows are presented; a Pre-School Performance featuring our youngest performers ages 2 to 6. A Matinee Performance showcasing our graded ballet program (levels 1 thru 4) along with our boys program and our tap, jazz and modern dance programs. Lastly, an Evening program is presented featuring the upper levels or our ballet program along with company and apprentice members of Southern New Hampshire Youth Ballet.