Thank you to The Wren Foundation for sponsoring this event and providing this opportunity for students entirely free of charge.

JM artists travel to the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh for Opening Night of the Carolina Ballet’s renowned production of Tchaikovsky’s iconic “The Nutcracker.” This event is part of our 2024-25 Pinnacle of the Arts series providing an opportunity for JM students to experience world-class arts. And thanks to The Wren Foundation, there is no charge for anyone to attend this event.

Before the show, dancers who will be performing — Alexa Testa, Emily Fretz and Daphne Little, along with Chief Advancement Officer Adam Schiffer — will meet with students to discuss the ballet they’re about to experience and answer questions about the life and craft of professional dancers.

It’s Christmas Eve where family and friends have gathered to decorate the tree. When one little girl receives the gift of a nutcracker, a fanciful journey begins. Toys come to life. The nutcracker battles the Mouse King and transforms into a prince, who takes the girl into a magical Land of Sweets, ruled by a sugar plum fairy.

Adapted from an 1816 short story, the classical ballet was introduced in 1892 by master composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, whose other ballets include “Swan Lake” and “The Sleeping Beauty.” After a lukewarm initial reception, “The Nutcracker” has become one of Tchaikovsky’s most famous compositions and a beloved holiday standard performed to audiences worldwide.

This annual Carolina Ballet production marries the charm of the original with fresh choreography, vibrant sets and stunning costumes, making it the company’s most-attended production ever.

Our new Pinnacle of the Arts series provides an opportunity for JM students to experience world-class arts regardless of their family’s financial circumstances. We’re also working to arrange some post-performance opportunities at each event to meet the artists and learn more about what students just experienced.

About 30 students attend each event entirely free of charge. This includes excellent seating locations, travel and a meal. “The Nutcracker” is offered to everyone free of charge thanks to a contribution by The Wren Foundation. Others sponsoring Pinnacle of the Arts events this season are the Galloway Ridge Chatham County Charitable Fund and Chip and Rose Pate.

Pinnacle of the Arts events this season include the national Broadway tour of “Kimberly Akimbo,” the North Carolina Symphony performing Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, an international tour stop by contemporary music legend Herbie Hancock, and this renowned Carolina Ballet production of “The Nutcracker.” We also are offering a daylong, behind-the-scenes exploration of the North Carolina Museum of Art.

👉 If you, your business or your nonprofit might be willing to sponsor an event next season, please contact us! This is a remarkable opportunity to shape the lives of young artists.