Arts and Entertainment

Nittany Ballet returns with ‘The Nutcracker’ Dec. 13-14 in Eisenhower Auditorium

The Performing Arts School of Central Pennsylvania's Nittany Ballet will reprise its magical performance of “The Nutcracker” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, in Eisenhower Auditorium. Credit: Rick Brandt. All Rights Reserved.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Performing Arts School of Central Pennsylvania's Nittany Ballet will reprise its magical performance of “The Nutcracker” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, in Eisenhower Auditorium on Penn State's University Park campus.

Call 814-863-0255 or visit “The Nutcracker” online through the Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State for more information or to buy tickets.

Evolving production is more magical than ever

“The Nutcracker” is back and more magical than ever.

Nittany Ballet’s Artistic Director Paul Gibson swept audiences away in 2024 with his dazzling new vision of the fairy tale, bringing in fresh costumes, backdrops and enhancements to the story.

Centre County’s preeminent classical ballet school’s annual production will transport audiences to a magical world where life-sized toy soldiers fight giant mice, snowflakes dance, and the Sugarplum Fairy welcomes theatergoers of all ages to the Nutcracker’s Kingdom and performers from the Land of Sweets.

This year, audiences can expect an even more enchanting world, as the production continues to evolve. Guest artists Sarah Gabrielle-Ryan and Mark Cuddihee from Pacific Northwest Ballet and Penn State musical theater students Alex Iozzio and Zach Doran join Nittany Ballet's largest cast yet. More than 100 students, ages 3 to 18 from the Centre County region, will dance the beloved ballet.

Nittany Ballet is the dance division of the Performing Arts School of Central Pennsylvania.

Sensory-friendly accommodations

Eisenhower Auditorium is certified as a KultureCity sensory-friendly venue. Upon request, patrons can sign out a variety of items to accommodate their visit, including noise-reducing earmuffs, anti-strobe glasses, lap pads and fidget toys.

Visit the Center for the Performing Arts' accessibility webpage to learn more about services available at Eisenhower Auditorium.

Acknowledgments

Corporate sponsors

Sullivan’s Mini Storage

Red Oak Foundation

Envision Laser Center

Torron Group/Songer

ABC Children’s Center

Kish Bank

Individual sponsors

Cheryl Pazcoguin

Jerolynn Mcburney-Rogers

Last Updated October 24, 2025

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