Inside Ballet America’s Famous Annual Nutcracker

2025 Nutcracker, leading cast

In a quiet studio tucked inside Redwood City, a young ballerina reaches down to tie her slipper. It’s a small moment. Fleeting, almost invisible. But in that moment is a story shaped by decades of commitment: of families who return each year to decorate sets, to dance beside their children, or to guide rehearsals from the wings. Altogether surrounded by the magic of playful backdrops, brightly colored costumes and flowing dresses, bringing to life a world of your imagination.

Welcome to Ballet America’s Nutcracker. For more than three decades, this event has become a place where threads of friendship and family are woven together into something far greater than a performance.

The annual tradition returned on the first week of December 2025 to the Cañada College Theater, featuring more than 100 dancers and performers ages 4 to 77, drawing sold-out crowds, and weaving another chapter into one of the Bay Area’s longest-running family events. Altogether, the 2025 Nutcracker featured eight performances: four public, and four school-day matinees for local elementary students, many of whom were seeing ballet for the first time.

“One thing remains true, and that is that Nutcracker continues to delight audiences from the young to the old alike; especially true of a community production where so many people and levels come together to give their best,” San Carlos’s very own art director Julia Ball-Dugan commented. What began as a humble production at Stanford University in 1995 has become an enduring story over 30 years in the making, retold with each new generation on stage.

Gallery: The Nutcracker, previous seasons. Swipe/click to see whole album

Left to right: (1) Director Julia Ball-Dugan with husband, San Carlos Council Member John Dugan. (2) John with daughter, Joya Dugan.

A Production Cast of Families and Friends

This year carried special meaning when one of the original cast members from Julia Ball-Dugan’s Stanford production returned to the stage to perform in the Party Scene alongside her two daughters.

Kevin Stanford of San Carlos reprised his signature role as the hilarious Mouse King, a part he’s embodied since 1998. San Carlos Council Member John Dugan, husband of director Julia Ball-Dugan, once again stepped into the role of the Dancing Bear: a role he’s held since 1997 and at one time included performances with his daughter as the Doll.

“It’s a show for everybody,” says Ball-Dugan.

Connie Bensen, Ballet America’s photographer and one of the San Carlos stage mums, tells of how the production stands out for its supportive environment. Dancers of all ages, backgrounds, and body types are embraced for their love of performing. Children often start in the youngest roles like tiny lambs or mice. Most of them stay through high school, growing into leads as they grow in confidence. Friendships formed during rehearsals are built over years of shared practices, stage time, and backstage memories.

Nutcracker rehearsals. Students with Julia.

Fast-Paced and Spectacular

Ballet America’s Nutcracker is a 75-minute performance, including a 15-minute intermission, packed with energetic ensemble work and whimsical staging. From baby mice stealing Santa’s presents to lambs and gingerbread house surprises, the show keeps audiences of all ages engaged. These lighthearted moments bring laughter and warmth to a fast-moving, crowd-pleasing production of familiar faces.

Stunning Photography

Connie Bensen, Ballet America’s longtime photographer, created a portrait series featuring young dancers, offering each family a lasting keepsake. The fundraiser raised over $3,500 for Ballet America’s outreach programs, which include subsidized school performances, scholarships, and mentorship programs for underserved youth. “In general, my goal is to bring dance to people who otherwise would not be able to see us,” said Ball-Dugan.

Gallery: Photography by Connie Bensen. Swipe/click to see whole album

Visit Connie’s website to see more of her beautiful photography.

Left to right: Connie Bensen; Children practicing at the Academy of American Dance studio; Cast at the Nutcracker; Connie Bensen and Julia Ball-Dugan, 2025 fundraiser for Ballet America.

The Heart of Ballet America

Bensen’s portraits reflect the heart of what Julia Ball-Dugan has built for over three decades. Ball-Dugan founded the Academy of American Dance, the official school of Ballet America, in 1999 with a vision rooted in healthy technique and joyful performances. As a former professional ballerina and Stanford-trained educator, her approach blends the classical Vaganova technique and emotional connection.

Though this season’s Nutcracker has wrapped, many cast members and families are already looking forward to return in 2026 to give back as teachers, volunteers, or mentors, carrying forward a culture where the real performance happens offstage as much as on it.

“The work that goes into such a production with all volunteers, is quite an undertaking. It inspires me to know what a great community we have in the Bay Area of very talented, caring individuals, who are dedicated to their children, but who are also able to give the audience a great experience.”

Julia Ball-Dugan at performing at the Nutcracker.

The Final Bow

After all the rehearsals, the costume changes, the curtain calls, there she is again. The girl with the slipper.

She tugs the ribbon tight. She breathes. Somewhere, the overture begins. She rises – not just to dance, but to become. In that single gesture is the legacy of Ballet America: past, present, and possible.

We look forward to seeing the San Carlos community at next year’s Nutcracker. Merry Christmas!

How to Support

Ballet America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Redwood City. Tickets to future shows, donation opportunities, and program details are available at balletamerica.org.