Pre-Professional Division

Starting in the fall, Pre-Professional students in Level 8 and the Graduate program learn the same repertoire as Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's production of The Nutcracker. Ahead of the company performances each December, students perform Act II excerpts both at PBT Studios and at Phipps Conservatory. These performances are in addition to the roles that students get to perform in the company production, which include both student roles and company roles. From Afternoon of Enchantment, Poinsettias and Pointe Shoes, and Terrence S. Orr's The Nutcracker on the Benedum stage, thousands gather each year to share in the holiday tradition.

Current PBT Apprentices & PBT School Alumni: Isak Sorenson, Aoi Asano - Photo by Aviana Adams

Company members and young students performing at the start of the Party scene

Company members and students performing in the Snow scene

During the Battle scene, students are dressed as various toys and toy soldiers. Rats jump around them.

Each December, over 95% of eligible PBT School students elect to participate in the professional production of The Nutcracker in various roles. Additionally, many Graduate students will have the opportunity to perform as Flowers, Snowflakes, and Rats alongside the professional company. Check out our blog posts about the production, including all of the ways this production honors the city, as well as a look back for Corps de Ballet Artist Ariana Chernyshev, who has been performing in this production of The Nutcracker for over 15 years.

Former PBT School students and PBT Artists - Photos by Aviana Adams, Rich Sofranko, and Rosalie O'Connor

Graduate student performing in Waltz of the Flowers

Level 8 students performing in the Aviary section at the start of Act 2. The students are dressed as butterflies.

Graduate students dressed as Flowers take their final bow

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