Hyde Park School of Dance Presents Annual Holiday “Nutcracker” December 13-15, 2024
Hyde Park School of Dance, now in its 31st year of training, performance, and community, welcomes families and dance enthusiasts to its annual presentation of The Nutcracker. Performances are December 13–15, 2024, at Mandel Hall on the University of Chicago campus, 1131 E. 57th Street, Chicago.
Hyde Park School of Dance’s (HPSD) innovative production reimagines the traditional holiday tale, blending classical ballet with dynamic genres like hip hop, breakdancing, modern, West African, and Chinese dance. Under the guidance of Founding Artistic Director August Tye, formerly ballet mistress for Lyric Opera of Chicago, and 11 collaborating choreographers, this 75-minute spectacle weaves narration and additional styles like tap and acro dance, creating a vibrant, multicultural celebration.
New this year is an imaginative take of Clara’s nightmare. Instead of battling with swords, mice and soldiers will tap into the power of hip hop and breakdancing to work out their differences through creative self-expression. The cast includes students as young as age 7, members of the school’s pre-professional Studio Company, and adult performers from the community.
“Our Nutcracker is always evolving, bringing fresh choreography and styles to the stage every year—something you won’t find in most Nutcracker productions,” said Tye. “I’m thrilled to be choreographing a brand-new section, Clara’s Nightmare, which lets us explore contemporary dance within the traditional story. This year, we’re blending ballet, hip hop, West African, and so much more, making this a vibrant, inclusive show for everyone in Chicago. It’s truly a Nutcracker for our entire community.”
The production also includes surprise cameos by local VIPs in the larger-than-life role of Mother Ginger. Previous guest performers have included nationally acclaimed opera star Whitney Morrison, Hyde Park Bank Assistant Vice President and Business Development Officer Caprice Lindsay, Hyde Park Herald Editor Daschell Phillips, Montgomery Place board chair Mike McGarry, former Kenwood Academy High School Principal Dr. Gregory Jones, 5th Ward Alderperson Leslie Hairston, former State Representative Kimberly DuBuclet, and Court Theatre Artistic Director Charles Newell
Founded in 1993 as the Hyde Park School of Ballet, Hyde Park School of Dance is a non-profit providing opportunities for students of all ages and abilities to study, perform, and create classical and contemporary dance at the highest levels of discipline and artistry.
For additional information on The Nutcracker see hydeparkdance.org/nutcracker.
