BE A HOLIDAY HERO – TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR NASHVILLE’S NUTCRACKER - A MAGICAL CHRISTMAS TRADITION

Nashville’s Favorite Holiday Tradition Returns to TPAC November 29 – December 28, 2025

Youth Cast Auditions are Set for August 24 & September 7

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – July 1, 2025 – Nashville Ballet announces tickets are now on sale for Paul Vasterling’s Nashville’s Nutcracker — a cherished holiday tradition returning to the Tennessee Performing Arts Center’s Jackson Hall from November 29 through December 28, 2025.

Unwrap holiday magic this Christmas and become a holiday hero by securing the best seats at the best prices for the entire family during this Christmas in July promotion. This award-winning production consistently sells out, so early ticket purchase is strongly encouraged. Single tickets start at just $45.

This holiday season, step into a world of wonder as Nashville Ballet presents the return of a beloved tradition featuring stunning choreography, exquisite sets and costumes and a sweeping score performed live by The Nashville Symphony. Choreographed by Artistic Director Emeritus Paul Vasterling, Nashville’s Nutcracker is a dazzling reimagining of the beloved classic — infused with local history, imagination and timeless storytelling. This Emmy Award-winning production brings the story of Clara and her Nutcracker Prince to life in a uniquely Nashville way that has become the crown jewel of Middle Tennessee’s holiday season and a cherished experience.

“This production truly captures the magic and wonder that make the holidays so special,” said Nick Mullikin, Artistic Director and CEO of Nashville Ballet. “We’re thrilled to bring Nashville’s Nutcracker back to life on stage, showcasing not only our exceptional company artists but also the incredible young talent from the School of Nashville Ballet and our vibrant local community. It’s a celebration of artistry, joy, and holiday spirit that audiences won’t want to miss.”

Audiences of all ages will be transported into a dazzling world where twinkling snowflakes fall, the enchanting Kingdom of Sweets, and a daring battle with the Mouse King awaits. Named Best Dance Production of 2022 by Broadway World Nashville and the subject of a 2020 Emmy Award-winning film, this holiday tradition is a must-see for families and visitors alike. Whether you’re continuing a treasured tradition or starting a new one, Nashville’s Nutcracker offers a joy-filled experience that celebrates community, creativity, and the timeless magic of the season.

Nashville Ballet’s 2025-26 season schedule also includes these performances at TPAC:

If I Can Dream - October 10-12, 2025

Swan Lake - February 28 - March 1, 2026

Sherlock - May 1-3, 2026

Single tickets now on sale for Nashville’s Nutcracker or you can catch this blockbuster lineup with various season ticket packages designed for the entire family. Subscribe to one of the curated packages or enjoy maximum flexibility when you choreograph your own. Pick 2-3 performances and save up to 25% on adult tickets and 50% on children’s tickets. Order ticket packages at NashvilleBallet.com, or by phone to TPAC’s box office at 615-782-4040.  

Youth Cast Auditions

Nashville Ballet invites local children, ages 8-18, to audition for roles in this year’s production. Auditions will be held on Sunday, August 24 and Sunday, September 7 at The Martin Center for Nashville Ballet. Open to all skill levels, auditions are fun, welcoming, and require no prior dance experience. Details will be announced soon. For inquiries, contact youthcast@nashvilleballet.com or visit Nashvilleballet.com/youth-cast-information.

NASHVILLE BALLET CELEBRATES LANDMARK 40TH SEASON WITH AN EXCEPTIONAL LINEUP FOR THE 2025-26 SEASON

Led by Artistic Director & CEO Nick Mullikin, the New Season Includes Beloved Classics Nashville’s Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Sherlock

Watch 2025-26 Season Video

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – May 5, 2025 -- Nashville Ballet has announced their exceptional lineup for their 2025-26 season under the artistic direction of Nick Mullikin. Nashville Ballet invites audiences to join them for their 40th Season – The Ruby Season – with dazzling productions that embody the passion, power and artistry that have defined the company for four decades. Season ticket packages are now on sale.

Nashville Ballet will present beloved classical stories including Artistic Director Emeritus Paul Vasterling’s Emmy Award-winning Nashville’s Nutcracker and Swan Lake all set to music performed by an award-winning orchestra – The Nashville Symphony. 

This October, audiences will enjoy a unique masterpiece as classical brilliance, contemporary elegance and rock ‘n’ roll charisma collide with If I Can Dream. The performance begins with George Balanchine’s dazzling Rubies and Jiří Kylián’s hauntingly beautiful Un Ballo set to live music by The Nashville Symphony. A bold tribute to Elvis Presley titled If I Can Dream by Travis Bradley headlines the performance that celebrates rhythm, rebellion and the timeless power of movement.  

The holiday season wouldn’t be complete without the wonder and excitement of Nashville Ballet’s beloved classic, Nashville’s Nutcracker, choreographed by Artistic Director Emeritus Paul Vasterling. Then in February, be prepared to be swept away as Vasterling’s Swan Lake returns to TPAC’s Jackson Hall stage for the first time since 2018.

Next May, you’ll step into the shadows and follow the clues as Nashville Ballet concludes their 2025–26 season with Penny Saunder's Sherlock – the electrifying centerpiece of their annual Attitude series. Additionally, two compelling works will be presented within the Attitude series’ cutting-edge contemporary ballets. The evening opens with Tony-nominated choreographer Donald Byrd's Wake the Neighbors, a charged and thought-provoking piece that challenges the senses. Then, Maria Konrad’s DEA, expanded from its original pas de deux, returns with renewed emotional depth and grace.

“Our company is known for its commitment to artistry and sharing our passion for dance with a musical experience that enriches every part of the senses,” said Nick Mullikin, Artistic Director and CEO. “With so many incredible offerings for our 40th season, we carefully curated this collection of works with the community in mind. Our season ticket holders or package attendees play a vital role in funding our ability to showcase art that inspires, heightens emotions and provides a truly visceral experience that memories are made of. We look forward to seeing you all this upcoming season.”

Nashville Ballet 2025-26 Season Schedule:

If I Can Dream - October 10-12, 2025 (Polk Theater, TPAC)

Nashville’s Nutcracker - November 29 - December 28, 2025 (Jackson Hall, TPAC)

Swan Lake - February 28 - March 1, 2026 (Jackson Hall, TPAC)

Sherlock - May 1-3, 2026 (Polk Theater, TPAC)

Don’t miss this blockbuster lineup as Nashville Ballet offers various season ticket packages designed for date nights or the entire family. Subscribe to one of the curated packages or enjoy maximum flexibility when you choreograph your own. Pick 3-4 performances and save up to 25% on adult tickets and 50% on children’s tickets. View season ticket packages at NashvilleBallet.com, or by phone at 615-297-2966 ext. 710.  

Nashville Ballet creates, performs, teaches, and promotes dance as an essential and inspiring element of the Nashville community. Season ticket holders' support helps to sustain Nashville Ballet’s artistic and educational excellence, accessible arts education to children and adults throughout the Nashville area and beyond, contributing to the city’s vibrant arts and cultural landscape.

To learn more about Nashville Ballet, please visit NashvilleBallet.com.  

NASHVILLE BALLET PREMIERES GROUNDBREAKING DIGITAL BALLET ~ ABYSS ~

In this Digital Work, Artistic Director & CEO, Nick Mullikin Offers a Raw and Impactful Exploration of Mental Health

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – April 15, 2025 — Nashville Ballet's Artistic Director & CEO, Nick Mullikin, has choreographed a powerful new digital ballet, Abyss, which delves into the emotional mental health and the desire to escape one’s own mind. The work presents a thought-provoking experience that combines stunning choreography, evocative music and an intimate, cinematic approach to the storytelling through dance. The piece premiered on the Tennessean’s website yesterday and was inspired by Mullikin’s personal journey that he’s publicly sharing for the first time.

Abyss features artists Jaison McClendon and Anneliese Guerin, and begins with the main character falling into an undefined, surreal space, symbolizing the disorienting sense one feels when being overwhelmed by the world around them. The piece focuses on the mental and emotional struggle of trying to escape, reflecting the internal battle that many face when trapped in cycles of despair. Mullikin’s choreography explores the tension between hope and hopelessness, illustrating the feeling of always striving for something just beyond reach, while the overwhelming abyss of uncertainty threatens to consume.

“This piece was created with the idea of the thoughts and mindset that can often trap us as we try to move forward in life,” Nick Mullikin explains. “It speaks to the question of ‘Is there something more? Is this what life has to offer?’ The abyss is the mental and emotional space where that question feels impossible to answer, and it can become all-consuming.”

The ballet is set to the timeless Concerto in D minor- II. Adagio by Johann Sebastian Bach, performed by renowned pianist Alessandra Volpi, whose delicate yet powerful performance deepens the emotional layers of the work. Mullikin’s choice of Bach underscores the dichotomy of beauty and struggle, creating an emotional resonance that draws viewers deeply into the narrative.

Filmed in the heart of Nashville, the production takes full advantage of the stunning capabilities of the Kingswood Production Studio on 12th Avenue South with video director Chad Driver at the helm. The setting, along with the ballet’s digital format, allowed Mullikin to push the boundaries of traditional ballet performance, creating a raw, 360-degree immersive experience on film for the audience.

The digital work is now available on Nashville Ballet’s YouTube Channel, aiming to capture a global audience to experience the universal exploration of struggle, survival and an ongoing search for meaning.

Abyss serves as a prelude to Nashville Ballet’s upcoming production of their annual Attitude series on May 2 - 4, returning to the Polk Theater at TPAC to include the visionary works of renowned choreographers Jennifer Archibald and Penny Saunders, alongside the highly-anticipated world premiere of Erase the Night by Artistic Director and CEO Nick Mullikin.

Mullikin’s Erase the Night dives deep into the poignant journey and complexities of addiction, isolation and the human condition. The choreography offers a contemporary take on ballet, blending the art form’s technical mastery with a deep emotional connection that resonates with anyone who has faced inner turmoil or struggled with finding purpose.

Tickets for Attitude start at just $47 and are on sale now at Nashvilleballet.com/attitude or by calling 615-297-2966 ext. 710.

In addition, Nashville Ballet will be hosting its final Community Conversation event in partnership with state and local addiction and mental health resource organizations to offer educational programming, provide resources and share a message of hope on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 from 6-7:30 p.m. at The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee at 3421 Belmont Blvd, Nashville, TN 37215.

 Abyss Production Credits:

Cinematographer and Editor: Chad Driver

Cinematographer: Randy Hale

Lighting Designer: Kelly Landry

Costume Director Mycah Kennedy

Director of Production: Melinda Dobson

Production Stage Manager: Deborah Climo

Properties Master: Eric Gamez

Master Electrician: Kim Pukay

Cutter/Draper and Shop Assistant: Aryana Gaines

Wardrobe Supervisor: Alison Taylor

Shoe Manager: Christana Alford

Patternmaker / Stitcher: Anna Yepes

Stitcher: Sarah Newman and Nawal Shirnaky

Hair/Make-up and Dresser: Lily Murray

ABOUT NASHVILLE BALLET:

Nashville Ballet, the largest professional ballet company in Tennessee, presents a varied repertoire of classical ballet and contemporary works by noted choreographers, including original works by Artistic Director Nick Mullikin, and other guest artists.

Nashville Ballet creates, performs, teaches, and promotes dance as an essential and inspiring element of the Nashville community. Season ticket holders' support helps to sustain Nashville Ballet’s artistic and educational excellence, accessible arts education to children and adults throughout the Nashville area and beyond, contributing to the city’s vibrant arts and cultural landscape.

Nashville Ballet and the second company, NB2, provide more than 55,000 arts experiences to adults and children annually through virtual and in-person season performances and Community Engagement programming. Nashville Ballet curriculum-based Community Engagement and Education Programs bring dance education to over 16,000 students in over 25 schools across 21 council districts in Middle Tennessee. School of Nashville Ballet provides exceptional dance training to students ages two and up.

Nashville Ballet receives public funding from the Tennessee Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. Contributions from local, regional, and national institutional funders, community partners, and hundreds of generous individuals provide ongoing support for Nashville Ballet’s mission-critical programs.

To learn more about Nashville Ballet, please visit NashvilleBallet.com.