Each holiday season, through the Sponsor a Child Program, Sierra Nevada Ballet is able to invite hundreds of at-risk children to attend the school performances “Peanutcracker – The Story in A Nutshell” for free.

For most young students this community-sponsored performance is likely to be their first live theater experience.

The Sierra Nevada Ballet will present “Peanutcracker – The Story in A Nutshell” to schools throughout Northern Nevada on Dec. 5 at the Bob Boldrick Theater in the Carson City Community Center and on Dec. 16 at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts. Two performances are available each day at 10am and noon.

Based on Lev Ivanov’s original ballet “The Nutcracker,” “Peanutcracker” is a 45-minute narrated version that is designed to introduce children to the world of ballet.

Individuals or businesses interested in helping to sponsor free tickets for the Carson City or Reno performances for schools should contact Sierra Nevada Ballet’s company coordinator Elizabeth Cuff at 775.997.4252 or  elizabethcuff@yahoo.com.