by Noella Noelophile®
(Photo courtesy of George Simian.)
December first has always seemed magical anyway.
So, what better time than now to tell you about the magic San Pedro City Ballet is creating, this Christmas season?
For more than three decades and counting, nonprofit San Pedro City Ballet has brought its annual Nutcracker production to Southern California. And throughout the year, they offer original contemporary works, dance classes and their dance outreach to local youth, in partnership with Boys and Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor.
This year’s Nutcracker performances include nearly 150 dancers, who range in age from 4 through adult. Special effects, magic and breathtaking choreography bring the beloved story of Clara and her nutcracker prince to life.
General-public performances happen Friday through Sunday, December 12th through 14th, at the James R. Armstrong Theatre. Here’s the link for information.
(Photo courtesy of George Simian.)
An added layer of stardust
BUT–what’s going on offstage, is even more magical than the show you’ll get to see.
That’s because, this week, SPCB will be offering community outreach performances on the historic Dana Middle School stage.
These are happening this Friday, December 5th, through Sunday, December 7th.
And this Nutcracker may be the first time some local schoolchildren experience ballet.
San Pedro City Ballet has offered special performances for Title I LAUSD schools for more than 30 seasons. However, this year is special.
In 2025, expanded access through the district’s Cultural Arts Passport program has allowed more than 2,000 LAUSD students to attend The Nutcracker at no cost, according to a recent press release from San Pedro City Ballet.
(Photo courtesy of George Simian.)
A journey of discovery
There’s more.
For a number of these students, The Nutcracker is the culmination of a 10-week in-school dance residency, offered through San Pedro City Ballet’s Firebird initiative.
This particular program was inspired by SPCB’s most well-known alumna: ballerina Misty Copeland.
As Artistic Director Cindy Bradley explains in this 2020 interview, she first discovered Misty’s talent and passion for dance in one of SPCB’s classes at the local Boys and Girls Club.
“Dance has the extraordinary ability to build confidence from the inside out,” Cindy says, in a recent press release.
“When students discover movement, they discover their own voice. Through our Firebird program, we’ve watched countless young people find passion, discipline and joy–often for the first time.
“That transformation is why we do this work.”
San Pedro City Ballet presents their 32nd annual production of The Nutcracker from Friday, December 12th through Sunday, December 14th at the James R. Armstrong Theater, 3330 Civic Center Drive (near Madrona) in Torrance. Performance times are Friday, December 12th at 7:30 pm; Saturday, December 13th at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm; and Sunday, December 14th at 2:00 pm. Here’s the link for information.
Would you like to support the work of nonprofit San Pedro City Ballet as they continue to inspire youth through high-quality dance experiences? Here’s a link where you can donate!