PRESCOTT, Ariz. — Yavapai Ballet Theatre invites audiences to experience the magic of the holiday season with its full-length production of The Nutcracker, accompanied live by the Arizona Philharmonic.
Bringing together exceptional artists from across Yavapai County, this production is crafted with the highest level of professional care and artistic rigor. Every element from costumes to choreography reflects YBT’s commitment to delivering a magical theater experience. As proud contributors to Arizona’s Christmas City, we’re honored to bring holiday magic to Prescott through a Nutcracker that celebrates the traditions families cherish year after year.
Yavapai Ballet Theatre dancers are already deep into rehearsals, preparing to bring Tchaikovsky’s iconic score and the timeless story of Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, the Mouse King, and the Land of Sweets to life onstage.
“This production represents exactly what Yavapai Ballet Theatre creates for our community: something beautiful, ambitious and deeply rooted in Northern Arizona,” said Kimberly Powers, Managing Director of Yavapai Ballet Theatre. “We want families to look forward to The Nutcracker year after year and to make it part of their holiday traditions.”
The production includes performers from across Yavapai County, creating opportunities for dancers of different ages, backgrounds and studios to share the stage in a professionally produced classical ballet.
One of the most exciting elements of this year’s production is Yavapai Ballet Theatre’s collaboration with the Arizona Philharmonic, which will perform Tchaikovsky’s celebrated score live. This performance is part of YBT’s year‑long artistic partnership with AZP- a collaboration that brings professional musicians into our productions, strengthens the cultural landscape of Yavapai County, and expands opportunities for local dancers to perform alongside live orchestral music. Together, YBT and AZP are building a shared vision for high‑quality performing arts in our region, enriching the experience for audiences and artists alike.
For Artistic Director Emily Tylecote, live accompaniment is fundamental to the theater experience, for audiences and dancers alike. “Tchaikovsky’s score has become a universally recognizable holiday melody that continues to inspire audiences year after year,” says Tylecote. “For the dancers, live music is an invitation to breathe with the music in a way that transforms their artistry. The shared connection between the dancers, musicians and audience is what elevates the performance and reflects YBT’s commitment to artistic excellence.”
Working with live musicians also introduces a new level of artistry and technical challenge for the dancers. Unlike performing to recorded music, dancers must learn to respond to subtle variations in tempo, phrasing and musical interpretation in real time.
“What excites me most is seeing so many dancers, artists, and actors of all types from across Yavapai County come together to build something larger than any one studio or organization. The Nutcracker has the potential to become one of those traditions children grow up participating in and families return to every December,” Powers said.
Through productions such as The Nutcracker, Yavapai Ballet Theatre seeks to expand access to high-quality classical ballet in Northern Arizona while creating opportunities for local dancers to perform alongside artists from across the region.
As rehearsals continue, the cast is preparing not simply for a performance, but for what Yavapai Ballet Theatre hopes will become a cherished part of the Northern Arizona holiday season for years to come.
