The Nutcracker
Under the direction of Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre, the student production of The Nutcracker will be performed at Pike Performing Arts Center November 30 – December 1, 2018.
“Sometimes you must go on a journey to find home,” is the theme of this heartfelt, enriching story. In their 21st Performance Season, GHDT will revel in theatrical tradition with the renowned student production of this holiday classic with a modern twist. GHDT’s full-length contemporary version features the highly-talented dancers of G2, the preprofessional company of GHDT. G2 is joined by students from The Academy of Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre and other young student dancers filling the stage with movement and color! The Nutcracke r follows the same overall story line as the original, but is uniquely different. This magical version portrays Klara as a homeless orphan girl who discovers the true meaning of the season through the gift and giving spirit of a homeless man. GHDT’s The Nutcracker prominently presents a wide range of world and cultural music in contrast to the traditional Tchaikovsky score.
The homeless man wishes for Klara to have a better life. Finding a broken Nutcracker doll in the garbage, he presents it to her. He casts a magic spell over Klara and she dreams of the grim reality of life on the streets with mice who chase and torment her. The Nutcracker appears and battles the Mouse Queen. Klara slays the Mouse Queen in his defense. Klara’s tears fall upon the defeated Nutcracker and he is transformed into a handsome prince. The Prince takes Klara on a journey to a magical kingdom where the beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy comes to dance with them. The colorful dances and costumes of the Kingdom dazzle Klara. She is no longer an orphan and has found her family. She will never be alone again. Through this adventure Klara has discovered the meaning of giving and the importance of giving from the heart. The greatest gift given is that of love and compassion for others. The Nutcracker is a family favorite and is sure to add joy and cheer to this holiday season.
For tickets, please click here.
Academy Updates
Academy 2018-2019 Season of classes Registration
Registration for classes for 2018-2019 will be on August 4th from 10am-2pm at The Academy of Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre. You’ll be able to speak with teachers and see the studios!
For new students, we have a special going on! New students will be able to take one week of UNLIMITED classes for FREE!
For a class schedule and to view registration forms, click here.
G2 Auditions
Auditions for Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre’s pre-professional company, G2, will be on Tuesday August 14th, at 7:00pm, at AGHDT. G2 Apprentices and CATS will also audition at this time. Members of G2 have performance opportunities in GHDT Company performances and take unlimited classes each week at the academy. There is no extra fee, but the do have required classes and rehearsals throughout the week.
Nutcracker Auditions
Auditions for GHDT’s 2018 production of THE NUTCRACKER, will be on August 18th from 1-2pm, and AGHDT. Registration for the audition will begin at 12:30pm.
Any dancer age 5-21 may audition. Participating dancers must be able to attend rehearsals on Saturdays and Sundays beginning in September. Performances are November 29th – December 1st at Pike Performing Arts Center.
Cyber Monday Sale!
It’s well into the holiday season. Cyber Monday is November 27th, 2017. GHDT is once again having our Cyber Monday Sale for Nutcracker tickets. From 12:00AM to 11:59PM on Monday, use the code HOLIDAY to receive $5 off single ticket prices! This does not include Group Tickets. Click here for tickets!
Other Holiday Happenings!
Nutcracker Anniversary Party
While you’re on Eventbrite getting your ticket deal, remember to buy your tickets for our Nutcracker Anniversary Party! GHDT is celebrating our 20th Season, and we’re ready to party! It’s on December 2nd at 1:00PM. Come enjoy food, drinks, raffles, and crafts for the kids. Klara, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and the Prince will also stop by for a bit! Party-goers get early admittance to the theater for the 3PM matinee performance. Tickets to the matinee performance are sold separately. Nutcracker Alumni get 1 free ticket to the party, and will receive 1 free ticket to the matinee performance at the party. For tickets, click here!
GHDT’s Holiday Special
Come join Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre for our first ever Holiday Special! This family-friendly show will tell three classic stories – The Island of Misfit Toys, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and A Christmas Carol. After the performance, stick around for a small Christmas Party! We will have hot chocolate, small, sweet treats, and raffle prizes! You don’t want to miss this new addition to our season! For tickets, click here!
Anniversary Party
Tickets: $10 individual
GHDT Nutcracker Alumni – Free – limit one ticket
To celebrate the Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre’s 20th Season, The Nutcracker Anniversary Party will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2017 from 1-2 p.m. at Pike Performing Arts Center, Indianapolis, Indiana prior to the 3 p.m. matinee performance of GHDT’s The Nutcracker.
Enjoy party punch, finger sandwiches, fresh fruits and vegetables along with delightful sweet treats. Each guest will receive a photo with select cast members and VIP admittance to the performance 15 minutes prior to the general admittance. Visit the holiday craft corner and holiday boutique. Enter to win a drawing for a special Nutcracker. This event is sponsored by Performance Services, Inc. and Dental TI.
GHDT’s all student production of The Nutcracker is a contemporary retelling of the classic tale, portraying Klara as a homeless orphan girl who discovers the true meaning of the season through the gift and giving spirit of a homeless man. The Nutcracker and the Nutcracker Anniversary Party are sure to add joy and cheer to your Holiday Season!
Click here for tickets to The Nutcracker!
Fundraiser
Nutcracker season is just around the corner! In past years, Nutcracker cast members have participated in a concert fundraiser to help pay for production fees. This year, we’re doing a little bit of a different fundraiser. We’re reaching out to local restaurants to partner with them to raise money.
Our first event is September 30th from 5pm-9pm at Chipotle Mexican Grill on 12697 North Pennsylvania Street Suite 100, Carmel, IN 46032. The event is at this location only. To have your purchase count towards our fundraiser, you MUST bring the flyer below (click here to print) or have it pulled up on your phone.
Here are a few more guidelines about this event:
- Purchases of gift cards will not count towards the proceeds, but purchases paid for with existing gift cards will.
- If placing an order online, you must chose the “pay at the store” option, and then hand the cashier your flyer before paying.
We are in the works of getting a few more events set up. A master list of all of the events will be posted in a month or so, so keep you’re eye out for opportunities to help raise money while eating delicious food!
Come join The Academy of Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre for classes! We will have an open registration on August 5th, 2017, from 12:00PM – 3:00PM.
We offer ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, tap, stretching and conditioning, hip-hop, and Middle-Eastern style classes.
Our students also get multiple performance opportunities throughout the year. GHDT’s The Nutcracker is a student production, and the entire cast is made up of our students, as well as other dancers from the area. Open auditions for our 2017 Nutcracker are on August 19th, 2017, from 1:00PM – 2:00PM.
We also have an annual Academy Showcase in June, for parents to see how much their children have learned throughout the year. Occasionally, there are opportunities for our Academy students to perform in GHDT company shows.
20th Season Performances Announced
Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre is celebrating it’s 20th Season. Join us in celebrating by attending our performances!
CELEBRATION! – September 22-23, 2017
The Tarkington at The Center for the Performing Arts
THE NUTCRACKER – December 1-3, 2017
Pike Performing Arts Center
GHDT’S HOLIDAY SPECIAL – December 16-17, 2017
The Academy of GHDT
SIMCHA – Weekends – February 3-18, 2018
The Academy of GHDT
SUPERHERO; the story of a man called Jesus
March 30-31, 2018
The Tarkington at The Center for the Performing Arts
G2 IN CONCERT AND ACADEMY SHOWCASE June 1-3, 2018
The Academy of GHDT
THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME
June 29-30, 2018
The Tarkington at The Center for the Performing Arts
Season Tickets are now available at The Tarkington Box Office for the Tarkington performances by calling 317-843-3800. Not available online. Save 10% off single ticket purchases by buying Season Tickets.
To read the entire press release, click here.
2017 Summer Intensives
It’s that time of year again! The Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre Summer Intensives are back! This year, all levels have a 2-week long intensive. Our intensive is for dancers ages 6-18, and they will be separated according to age and level. From July 10-14th and July 17-22nd, dancers will take classes ranging from ballet to middle eastern dance, and terminology classes to conditioning. Dancers will be fully engaged in learning and having fun from 9am-4pm, Monday-Friday.
For information on dress code and prices, as well as the registration forms, head over to our Summer Intensives page.
Nutcracker Bootcamp
In addition to our annual Summer Intensive, this year we will also have a week long Nutcracker Bootcamp. GHDT’s Nutcracker is a very special tradition for many dancers and families. We want to give every dancer the chance to get a head start and learn every part of the show, all while having fun with their friends. The Nutcracker bootcamp is July 24-28th from 9am-4pm.
For more information, as well as registration forms, head over to our Summer Intensives page.
Nutcracker 2016
GHDT’s The Nutcracker was a raging success this year! All of the performers worked so hard to put on a beautiful, magical weekend of performances. From the wee little unicorns, to the 14 dancing snowflakes, everyone’s part came together to tell this heartwarming story of the season.
Performances
This was the 24th season that GHDT’s contemporary Nutcracker had been performed. Our lead roles this year, Klara, Sugar Plum Fairy, and Nutcracker Prince, were performed by Audrey Holloway, Nicholle Sanders, and Justin Sears.
The dancer-favorite performance this year, was once again the school show. Every year, schools around the area come to Pike Performing Arts Center Friday morning of Nutcracker weekend, to see The Nutcracker. Our dancers get excused from school for the day, and get the amazing opportunity to perform in front of an audience of 1,400 children. 
If you missed it this year, be sure to join us next December for the 25th anniversary of The Nutcracker!
Nutcracker Tea
Along with The Nutcracker, we have an annual Nutcracker Tea. This year, our fourth annual Tea was held at Pike Performing Arts Center before the Saturday matinee performance. Tea-goers were treated to tea, lemonade, mini-sandwiches, fruits, veggies, and desserts, and had the chance to win prizes in a raffle. On top of all of that, they also received a photo-opt with Klara, Sugar Plum, and the Prince
The Tea wouldn’t be possible without all of our amazing business sponsors, donors, and volunteers. Special thanks our event sponsor Performance Services, Inc.
Thank you to our donors for their support!
The Fresh Market, Carmel
Market District, Carmel
Party Time Rental, Indianapolis
Hershey Foods
Whole Foods Market
Carmel Orthodontics, Dr. Ron Miller
Norma June’s Photography
Floral by Sharon McKee
Napkins handmade by Dianne Shull
Salon 01, Carmel
Gigi’s Cupcakes of Indianapolis
Kroger Company
Denise Salamie
Haewon Miller
Ivy Heazeltine
A special thanks as well to all of the volunteers who worked the event. Mark your calendar for our fifth annual Nutcracker Tea next year!
Nutcracker Event at Barnes & Noble
Klara, Sugar Plum, and other Nutcracker cast m
embers spent part of their Saturday at Barnes & Noble promoting their upcoming performance. Patrons shopping at the bookstore that day, could mention GHDT while checking out, and GHDT received some profits. The dancers colored with children, told the story of The Nutcracker, greeted shoppers, and even did a little bit of dancing!
It’s still happening!
The good news, is that you ca
n still help out! Through Wednesday, if you’re shopping in store, be sure to mention GHDT! If you’re doing your shopping online, be sure to enter code #12043253 and a portion will benefit the company there as well!
