New Orleans Ballet Theatre (NOBT) will present five performances of the classic Christmas tale, The Nutcracker. This year will mark the third year the company will collaborate with both the historic Orpheum Theater downtown and a local artist for the poster artwork. This year's original artwork is commissioned from Michael Pajón, represented by Jonathon Ferrara Gallery.

With its biggest cast to date, over 150 local children and professional dancers will be sharing the stage this December. Returning NOBT dancers and former principals with Atlanta Ballet, Rachel Van Buskirk and Christian Clark will be playing the roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. Both dancers are also founding members of Terminus Ballet Theatre in Atlanta, and Rachel Van Buskirk has been featured on the cover of Dance Magazine as a top "25 to Watch" dancer. One of NOBT's newest dancers, Felicia McPhee, formerly with and Dallas Neo-Classical Ballet, will premiere as the Dew Drop Fairy.