Watch the young Clara and her hero, the Nutcracker, battle the Mouse King and embark on a magical journey, encountering toys that come alive, dancing snowflakes, waltzing flowers, and the Sugar Plum Fairy. Saturday’s performance features a photo opportunity on stage with Santa Claus and Sunday\'s benefit performance includes special admission to the \"Sugar Plum Party\" where audience members can meet characters from The Nutcracker, step onto the stage, and enjoy refreshments in a winter wonderland.

An enchanting holiday tradition, the role of Princess Clara will be performed by senior company members Oliva Costello and Ella Backus at Hinsdale Central High School.  Ms. Costello is a senior at Hinsdale Central High School and has trained at Salt Creek Ballet since the age of three, dancing solo roles in Paquita and the Arabian Princess in The Nutcracker. Miss Backus is a senior at Hinsdale Central High School and has 14 years of dedicated ballet training - 10 at Salt Creek Ballet. She has performed solo roles as Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, Alice in Alice in Wonderland, Paquita Soloist, and multiple roles in The Nutcracker. Dancing the role of Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier are Nicole Ciapponi, and Aaron Renteria courtesy of The Joffrey.

Salt Creek Ballet is offering the community the chance to \"be an Angel\" with their new Angel Ticket program. With a small donation, you can purchase a Nutcracker ticket for an underprivileged child and their parent, giving them the gift of live ballet for the holidays. Donate here: https://saltcreekballet.org/ways-to-give/

Salt Creek Ballet is a not-for-profit Illinois corporation supported in part by the Illinois Arts Council Agency through Federal funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and The Grover Hermann Foundation.

Salt Creek Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker returns to the Hinsdale Central Auditorium on Saturday, November 26th at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. and Sunday, November 27th at 1 p.m. Tickets for the Saturday, November 26th performances are $ 48.00 for adults and $43.00 for children (12 and under) and seniors (65 and older). Sunday\'s performance includes special admission to the \"Sugar Plum Party\" where audience members can meet characters from The Nutcracker, step onto the stage and enjoy refreshments in an enchanted, winter wonderland.

Hinsdale Central Auditorium is located at the corner of 55th and Grant Streets in Hinsdale and free parking is available. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at www.saltcreekballet.org. For more information, visit Salt Creek Ballet online at www.saltcreekballet.org.

Additionally, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie will host The Nutcracker on Friday, December 2th at 7 p.m and Saturday, December 3rd at 1 p.m and 5 p.m.  More information can be found at www.northshorecenter.org. The McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage will also host The Nutcracker on Saturday December 17th at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, December 18th at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. More information can be found at www.attmac.org.