Woodlawn Arts Academy will present three live performances of "The Nutcracker Ballet" next month to kick off the 2026 holiday season.
The ballet will be performed at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, at Centennial Auditorium, Sterling High School.
Tickets are $15 each and on sale now at centennialauditorium.org. Tickets may also be purchased at the door. The academy said a processing fee will be applied to all debit and credit card ticket purchases.
The performances are a fundraiser for Woodlawn Arts Academy, a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization. The two-act production casts more than 70 dancers and actors ages 6 through adult from Sterling, Rock Falls, Dixon, Chadwick, Galt, Harmon, Lanark, Lyndon, Milledgeville, Morrison, Shannon, Tampico, Walnut and Wyanet.
"Planning and preparations are well under way for our upcoming production of the classic holiday ballet 'The Nutcracker'!" said Woodlawn Executive Director Christy Zepezauer. "Our 2016, 2018, 2021 and 2024 productions of the ballet offered an incredible, unique experience to the participants and the community, and we are excited to bring this show back to the stage for a fifth run."
The cast's work began over the summer with a week-long Nutcracker Dance Camp, where campers learned much of the choreography and took part in related activities, the academy said. Since August, they have met every other week for rehearsals to refine the dances.
"We encourage everyone to attend our upcoming production and be a part of 'The Nutcracker' magic," Zepezauer said. "What a great way to kick off the holiday season and support the arts locally!"
About Woodlawn Arts Academy
Woodlawn Arts Academy is an agency of United Way of Whiteside and Lee Counties and acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council. Registration is available throughout the year for various programs. Details on programs and financial assistance are available at WoodlawnArtsAcademy.com.
The academy, located at 3807 Woodlawn Road in Sterling, offers year-round instruction in visual arts, music, dance, theatre, culinary arts and education programs, according to its website.