Nutcracker Ballet

Saturday, December 9, 2023, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
The Palace Theatre
Tickets $18-up purchase online or by call the Palace Box Office 724-836-8000

Join the WSO featuring Texture Ballet School and guest dancers from Texture Contemporary Ballet. Experience Tchaikovsky’s magical score performed by the full orchestra like never before!

Delight in the magic of the holidays as it comes to life on stage. This timeless classic follows the young Clara and her Nutcracker Prince as they are swept away on an enchanting adventure, led by the mysterious Drosselmeyer and Lady Silberhaus. During this epic journey, they join forces with soldiers to battle the evil Rat Queen and her entourage of mice and travel to a breathtaking winter wonderland of dancing snowflakes. When they finally enter the magical Land of the Sweets, Clara is introduced to the land’s many vibrant characters, dazzled by waltzing flowers, and captivated by the beauty of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier.

Featuring spectacular choreography set to Tchaikovsky’s stunning and delightful score, The Nutcracker will warm your soul and transport you to a spectacular world of dance and holiday magic!

Scroll down for the photo gallery!
Meet Alan Obuzor, Artistic Director and Founder of Texture Ballet

Press:

Behind the scenes at ‘The Nutcracker’ rehearsal at Palace Theatre is a winter whirlwind Tribune- Review December 9, 2022

Holiday ‘Nutcracker’ productions run gamut from classic to hip hop Tribune-Review November 30, 2022

From classic to jazzy, ‘Nutcracker’ fans have choice of several productions Tribune-Review December 7, 2021

About Texture Contemporary Ballet

Texture Contemporary Ballet is based in Pittsburgh, and was founded in 2011 by Artistic Director Alan Obuzor

Texture Contemporary Ballet is comprised of classically trained professional ballet dancers who have danced and trained at some of the top ballet companies and schools in America. Resident and guest dancers are brought together to create and present predominantly contemporary and neo-classical work. Texture strives to inspire dancers, teachers, directors, choreographers, audience members, and artists of every kind, by presenting ballet in an innovative way. We believe it is important to break through preconceived notions that people may hold while witnessing ballet for the first time. Yet simultaneously, Texture fulfills the expectations of frequent theatergoers and those who are deeply submerged in the dance world. Therefore, Texture is both unique and inviting, while still upholding standards of technique and presentation.

Alan Obuzor – Texture Founder, Artistic Director, Resident Choreographer, Dancer, Faculty Member
Alan Obuzor was honored in 2013 by Dance Magazine by being named one of the “Top 25 to Watch”. Originally from Pittsburgh, Alan began dancing at the age of nine. Two years later he attended Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School(PBTS), where in 1998 he was a recipient of the prestigious Princess Grace Foundation Dance Honorarium.  Alan received a contract to join Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s(PBT’s)professional company at the age of 17.  During his seven years in PBT’s Company, he danced a wide array of ballets ranging from classical to neoclassical to contemporary, which included principal and soloist roles in ballets such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Symphony in C, Carmina Burana and Divertimento 15.  In that time he also worked with many world-renowned figures in dance, and was selected to originate soloist roles in new works by choreographers Dwight Rhoden, Derek Dean, Matjash Mrozewski, and Jiabin Pan.  Alan began teaching in 2002; from 2007-2012 Alan was on the faculty of PBTS as one of the primary Pre-Professional Division teachers and choreographers.  In the fall of 2012, Alan joined the teaching faculty of Pittsburgh Youth Ballet.  Alan choreographed his first work in 2002 on himself and a fellow dancer.  Since that time he has choreographed over 90 new works for Texture Contemporary Ballet, PBT, PBTS, Pittsburgh Youth Ballet Company, New Ballet Ensemble, Harvard Ballet Company, Point Park University, Dancers’ Trust, Canton Ballet, Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts and various independent projects.  In 2011, Alan won first place in the Pittsburgh Chapter of the National Society of Arts and Letters Dance/Choreography competition. During 2014 Alan was awarded a BRAZZY Award – “Outstanding Male Dancer in Pittsburgh 2014”. In 2017 Mr. Obuzor received an “Outstanding Teacher Award” by Youth America Grand Prix. He is also the founder and Artistic Director of Texture Contemporary Ballet 2011, and Texture Ballet School 2019.

All photos by Gary Stone Photography