The Saint Augustine Ballet will celebrate their tenth anniversary with a special presentation of the holiday classic, The Nutcracker, on Saturday, December 22nd and Sunday, December 23rd at Lewis Auditorium, Flagler College.

For ten years, the non-profit ballet company has brought together world-class professional ballet artists from around the world and talented young area dancers to present full-length classical and contemporary dance to St Augustine audiences. The company has showcased principal artists from such renowned companies as London’s Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, Boston Ballet, Miami City Ballet, and National Ballet of Cuba, among many others.

“Amidst all of our history, St Augustine has grown to become a center for the arts in North Florida,” reflected Tommy Bledsoe of the St Johns Cultural Council. “The Saint Augustine Ballet has brought professional-level ballet into the cultural mix of our city. It’s very exciting.”

Luis Abella, a former professional dancer with National Ballet of Cuba and Minnesota Ballet, founded the company in 2008 and serves as Artistic Director.  He owns Abella’s School of Dance in St Augustine, where he also teaches.

He and his creative team regard The Nutcracker as a special experience in the lives of their audience members, and are devoted to making it a moment of excitement and unexpected surprises. For the special ten-year anniversary production, there are two details in particular that are very close to Abella’s heart.

“This year, we will have eight professional and pre-professional male dancers in the cast, which is very special,” Abella explained. “And one of our dancers who grew up dancing with Saint Augustine Ballet since she was a little girl will dance the role of Sugar Plum Fairy.”

Abella has chosen St Augustine dancer, Grace Karger, to dance the principal role of Sugar Plum Fairy. Miss Karger, 17, has studied ballet with Abella since the age of nine.

“It’s the dream role,” Miss Karger shared. “I can’t express what an honor it is to be given the chance to dance it.”  Her partner will be principal dancer, Julio Concepcion, of Oklahoma City Ballet and National Ballet of Cuba.

As a dancer with Saint Augustine Ballet for eight years, Miss Karger has shared the stage with many stars of the ballet world who have danced the role, including Roberta Marquez of the Royal Ballet, and Jennifer Kronenberg of Miami City Ballet.

“I will be thinking of them, for sure,” Miss Karger confided. “Dancing with them and watching them perform up close taught me so many things I could never have learned otherwise.”

Saint Augustine Ballet’s The Nutcracker will be performed on Saturday, Dec. 22nd at 1:30 pm & 7:00 pm, and Sunday, Dec. 23rd at 1:30 pm & 7:00 pm at Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College, 14 Granada St, St Augustine, FL 32084.  To purchase tickets, call 855-222-2849 or visit www.saintaugustineballet.com.

To learn more about Saint Augustine Ballet’s productions, details about auditions, and for information on becoming a sponsor, visit www.saintaugustineballet.com.

Saint Augustine Ballet is a 501(c)3 non-profit arts organization dedicated to creating dance opportunities for young dancers and providing the community with high quality ballet performances. Auditions for productions are held in August and January, and are open to qualified area dance students regardless of studio affiliation.