2025 Performance Schedule

Elizabeth, NJ – Kean University, Wilkins Theatre: December 6th, 2025

Newark, NJ – New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Victoria Theatre: December 12th & 13th, 2025

Jersey City, NJ – Nimbus Arts Center: December 19th -23rd, 2025

Looking for tickets? Click here.

Nimbus’ Jersey Nutcracker delights audiences, young and old, with a quirky and lovable story of two Jersey kids and their city adventure, filled with magic, battles with bullies and rats, stories of friendship, and exquisite dancing. Set to Tchaikovsky’s beloved score, Nimbus’ adaptation of The Nutcracker offers a thrilling, jazzy interpretation with a New Jersey twist.

Nimbus Dance performs Artistic Director Samuel Pott’s choreography against a dazzling backdrop of full-scale sets and animated projections of illustrated scenes, designed by Jersey City artists Laia Carbrera and Isabelle Duverger. With a delightful libretto co-written by Alysia Souder (The Institute for Music for Children)  and Samuel Pott (Nimbus Artistic Director), Jersey Nutcracker transports audiences through classic New Jersey landscapes - parks, bustling streets, back alleys, sewers, and back to City Hall, with surprises, cheer, and a message of hope and resilience along the way.

Youth Cast – Auditions and Requirements

– All Ensemble & Pre-Professional Students perform in Jersey Nutcracker and should expect to be cast in multiple roles.

– Students in Level IA, II, & IIA (Level III in Jersey City only) may participate by registering in their level-appropriate rehearsal section. They must also take at least one weekly technique class at the School of Nimbus.

– Rehearsals begin the first week of class and continue until Winter Break. Several required full-cast weekend rehearsals take place in November, plus Dress Rehearsals in December.

– Roles/sections will have multiple student casts; students will not perform in every show. Final casting is shared in October.

– Students must be available for all scheduled rehearsals and performances of their cast in order to participate.

Youth Leads Audition: Maria & Christina/Christopher

The roles of Maria & Christina/Christopher require dancers with strong technical skills, expressive movement, and the ability to convey a range of emotions. Candidates must be able to to convincingly play a character of 12-14 years. Casted youth leads work closely with the professional dancers of Nimbus Dance. Youth cast in the roles of Maria/Christina/Christopher must attend weekly rehearsals in Jersey City (Nimbus Arts Center) on Wednesdays from 7:00-8:30pm, as well as a week-long rehearsal “intensive” September 8-12, 2025, during afternoon/evenings. Audition Schedule:

Jersey City (329 Warren St.)

• Saturday, August 23rd, 6:00-7:00 pm

• Tuesday, September 2nd, 5:00-6:00 pm

Summit (315B Springfield Ave.) – Wednesday, September 3rd, 5:00-6:00 pm

Additional Jersey Nutcracker Youth Role Descriptions

Cookies (Age 5-6, Level IA)
Perhaps the cutest part of Jersey Nutcracker, Cookies are the children of Mama Cannoli and come out from underneath her enormous skirt to perform a high-spirited and energetic dance. Dancers cast as Cookies also join the cast as city people during the Tree Lighting Scene and as Cookies during the finale.

Liberty Angels (Age 7-8, Level II & IIA)
Liberty Angels dance with the Statue of Liberty to usher our story’s protagonists into a “vision of what our city might one day become” at the beginning of Act II. Dancers cast as Liberty Angels join the full cast during the finale and as city people during the Tree Lighting Scene.

B-Boys & B-Girls (Ages 9-13, Level III & IIIA)
The B-Boys & B-Girls are a high-energy crew called in by Christina/Christopher to provide backup in the epic battle against the fearsome Rat King. Their choreography features precise and physical movements, some floorwork, freezes, and dynamic partnering that electrify the stage.

Rats & Bullies (Ensembles)
The Rats/Bullies are the mischievous troublemakers who torment Maria and Christina/Christopher, and serve as the Rat King's loyal cronies in the epic battle scene. Their choreography blends grounded contemporary movements with theatrical character work, showcasing floorwork, group formations, and moments of drama, comedy, and chaos!

Gente de la Fiesta - Party People (Ensembles)
Gente de la Fiesta appear in Act II. Dancing alongside members of Nimbus Dance, their choreography incorporates Latin-inspired movement, lively footwork, and vibrant ensemble patterns that bring the party to life.

Ribbons (Ensembles)
The Ribbons appear in Act II, bringing a vibrant explosion of color and imagination. Their choreography combines sweeping, joyful and balletic movements and patterns that evoke a living, dancing mural. Ballet meets Jackson Pollock!

Waltz of the Hipsters (Ensembles)
Waltz of the Hipsters takes the stage in Act II, blending irony and elegance as they perform alongside members of Nimbus Dance in a stylized, tongue-in-cheek homage to downtown cool and New Jersey’s own “The Boss”. Their choreography features contemporary ballet fused with pedestrian gestures, intricate partnering, and layered group dynamics, remixing the traditional Waltz of the Flowers.