Kalamazoo Youth Ballet · December 5–6, 2026
The Nutcracker Kalamazoo
A holiday tradition with a magical Michigan twist.
With professional guest artists Nigel Tau and Will Wisneskey of Grand Rapids Ballet
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Dec 5 & 6, 2026
Dec 5 & 6, 2026 Saturday 6:00 pm · Sunday 2:00 pm
Comstock Community Auditorium
Professional lighting, sound, and crew
Kalamazoo Youth Ballet
With professional guest artists from Grand Rapids Ballet
An Original
A Nutcracker set in Kalamazoo found nowhere else
THE STORY
One enchanted night in the Kalamazoo House.
Join young Hattie and her family as they celebrate their first holiday party at their new home, the historic Kalamazoo House, nestled in the heart of downtown. The joy of the season is in the air, with twinkling lights glowing in Bronson Park, carolers strolling through the snow-dusted Kalamazoo Mall, and a sense of magic that only a Michigan winter can bring.
But the night takes a mysterious turn when a surprise guest arrives with an enchanted gift: a Nutcracker for Hattie.
That evening, unable to resist one more glimpse, Hattie sneaks downstairs and is swept into a wondrous dream.
Before her eyes, her Nutcracker comes to life to battle an army of life-sized mice led by a fierce Mouse Queen. Hattie's bravery helps break the spell, transforming the Nutcracker into a Prince who whisks her away on a journey through the Magnificent Pines, where Whitetail Deer roam under the moonlight, and the icy breeze of Lake Michigan carries them into the clouds.
They soar with Michigan Snowflakes into the enchanting Land of the Sweets, where they are welcomed by the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Dew Drop Fairy, gentle Mourning Doves, and fluttering Monarch Butterflies. To honor her courage, Hattie is gifted a vision of Kalamazoo's bright future and a feast of Michigan's favorite holiday treats: donuts, Blue Moon ice cream, gingerbread, lollipops, and, new this season, a Peppermint Princess, in tribute to the years when Kalamazoo was the peppermint capital of the world.
As a meadow of Michigan wildflowers blooms around her and dawn begins to break, Hattie and the Prince share one final, heartfelt dance.
The Sugar Plum Fairy gently tells Hattie it's time to return home, but leaves her with a final gift: a magical key to the Land of the Sweets, and the promise that she can return whenever her heart leads her there.
Hattie wakes at home beside her Nutcracker... but beneath her tree lies the key.
Was it all a dream? Or has Hattie unlocked a new world forever?
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ONLY IN KALAMAZOO
A Nutcracker you won't see anywhere else.
The Kalamazoo House
The party scene unfolds in the historic downtown landmark.
The Magnificent Pines
Whitetail Deer dance under a Michigan moon.
Michigan Snowflakes
Carried on the icy breeze of Lake Michigan.
Mourning Doves & Monarch Butterflies
Michigan's gentlest creatures welcome Hattie to the Land of the Sweets.
A Michigan Treat
Donuts, Blue Moon ice cream, gingerbread, and a brand-new Peppermint Princess.
A Meadow of Wildflowers
Twelve dancers, twelve Michigan wildflowers, each in her own color.
Professional Guest Artists
Our dancers share the stage with professionals.
Each season, our dancers perform alongside professional artists an experience most young dancers never have until they leave home for a company.
This December, we are honored to welcome two artists from Grand Rapids Ballet, Michigan's professional ballet company:
Nigel Tau as Drosselmeyer, the mysterious guest whose enchanted gift sets Hattie's night in motion.
Will Wisneskey as the Nutcracker Prince, who battles the Mouse Queen and carries Hattie through the Magnificent Pines to the Land of the Sweets.
Our students rehearse beside them, learn from them, and dance with them in Kalamazoo, on our stage.
Tickets
Make it your family's new holiday tradition.
Saturday, December 5 · 6:00 pm Sunday, December 6 · 2:00 pm Comstock Community Auditorium · 2107 N 26th St, Kalamazoo
Standard seating: Adults $30 · Students & Seniors $20 · Children 2–5 $15
Supporter Seats: Adults $35 · Students & Seniors $25 · Children 2–5 $20
Babies under 2 are free on a lap. A $3.35 per-ticket processing fee applies.
Supporter Seats are our closest rows to the stage, a lovely view, and the small difference in price goes directly back into the production.
Coming to both days? Add Saturday and Sunday tickets to the same cart and your Sunday tickets are discounted by $15 off each adult ticket and $10 off each student or senior ticket.
Two performances only.
DECEMBER 5 & 6, 2026
COMSTOCK COMMUNITY AUDITORIUM
Make it your family's new holiday tradition.
Two performances only. Tickets on sale in September