The San Diego Ballet speaks on the The Nutcracker and tradition  

Artistic Director and resident choreographer of The San Diego Ballet Javier Velasco and ballerina Stephanie Maiorano appeared on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse to discuss the upcoming performance of the Nutcracker at the WYO Performing Arts and Education Center.

A popular Christmas traditional ballet in the U.S. since the 1960s, The Nutcracker has become a holiday tradition for many people. But it has been popular the world over since renowned composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and choreographer Marius Petipa created the ballet in 1892 from E. T. A. Hoffmann’s 1816 short story “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.”

The San Diego Ballet has been performing at the WYO Theater biennially for 25 years. The San Diego Ballet includes Sheridan’s children ballet students into each performance. This year approximately 60 students will be joining the highly trained professionals on stage. 

Velasco was instrumental in the founding of the San Diego Ballet and said ballet is a bare style that requires a true love of the dance and passion. He said he feels that The Nutcracker is a celebration of the holiday season that has spanned and continues to include multiple generations.   

J. Velasco

Maiorano performs as The Sugarplum Fairy. This performance is arguably one of the most iconic roles in ballet and perhaps the most technical of The Nutcracker. 

S. Maiorano

The San Diego Ballet and local ballerinas will perform The Nutcracker at 6:30 p.m., Dec. 6 and 7, and Dec. 8, at 2 p.m.