Celebrating 22 Magical Seasons of The Nutcracker—Returning to Our Hometown!

This holiday season, Piedmont Dance Theatre celebrates 22 years of bringing the magic of The Nutcracker to life, and we're especially excited to return to our hometown of Kannapolis after three years away. Sharing this cherished tradition once again with the families, friends, and community that have supported us from the start feels like coming home.

For more than two decades, The Nutcracker has been the heart of our holiday celebrations. This year's performances promise even more enchantment, with new costumes, fresh choreography, and Tchaikovsky's unforgettable score. Our dancers, many of whom began their journeys on the Kannapolis Performing Arts Center stage, are thrilled to be back, eager to share the festive spirit and joy that make this production so special.

Join us for our Kannapolis performance on Saturday, December 14, at 2:00 pm at the Kannapolis Performing Arts Center (415 Martin Luther King Jr Ave). If you’re unable to attend, we’d love to see you at Keppel Auditorium at Catawba College in Salisbury on Saturday, December 21, at 6:30 pm or Sunday, December 22, at 2:30 pm, featuring live orchestration by the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra, conducted by David Hagy.

We are thrilled to welcome four exceptional guest artists to our Salisbury cast this year. Taking on the role of Sugarplum Fairy is Yui Sugawara, Principal Dancer with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, known for her exquisite technique and international accolades. Her Cavalier will be performed by Célestin Boutin, a principal dancer also with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, celebrated for his diverse and powerful repertoire. Daryn Díaz, a current member of the Metropolitan Opera Ballet, will enchant as the Snow Queen, and Dylan Dias McIntyre, a seasoned dancer with Ballet Hispánico, will take the stage as the Snow King. We are honored to have such distinguished talent join us for this magical production.

Celebrate the magic of The Nutcracker with us this season as we reconnect with our roots and share this timeless holiday classic.

Tickets can be purchased at PiedmontDanceTheatre.com