Catch International Ballet Stars in The Nutcracker at Pat Walker Theater
Some holiday traditions get passed down with the ornaments. This year, Ozark Ballet Theater’s Nutcracker arrives with a Prix de Lausanne winner as the Sugar Plum Cavalier, and he’s dancing on Emma Avenue.
THE DEETS
📆 Friday, December 18, 2026- Sunday, December 20, 2026
🕑 Fri 7 p.m., Sat & Sun 2 p.m.
📍 Pat Walker Theater at Springdale High School, 1103 W Emma Ave, Springdale
🎟️ Tickets: Fri 7 p.m. · Sat 2 p.m. · Sun 2 p.m.
ℹ️ More info
Source: Ozark Ballet Theater
International ballet stars Rainer Krenstetter and Emily Bromberg lead three performances at Pat Walker Theater in Springdale, December 18-20. That’s world-class talent in a holiday tradition made by and for Northwest Arkansas.
A Principal Dancer From Berlin and Miami
Krenstetter trained at the Vienna State Opera Ballet School and London’s Royal Ballet School, then rose to principal dancer, the highest rank a company gives, at both Berlin State Ballet and Miami City Ballet. He won the Prix de Lausanne, an international ballet competition, and later went back as a judge. His career has taken him to stages on five continents. Now add Springdale to the list!
Source: Ozark Ballet Theater
He’s partnered with Emily Bromberg, his frequent stage partner, as the Sugar Plum Fairy. The rest of the principal cast pulls double duty:
- Ariel Morilla – the Nutcracker Prince and the Spanish Cavalier
- Doug Horne – the Rat King and a Russian dancer
- Alexander Sokolov – Drosselmeyer and the Arabian Prince
Brand-New Sets for a Cast of 110
Seen it before? Not like this. The production has new sets, new costumes and reworked choreography, all danced by a cast of 110.
A Third of the Students Dance on Scholarship
A third of Ozark Ballet Theater’s 110 students train on scholarship, and Nutcracker ticket sales and donations pay for it. The company’s founders got ballet scholarships when they were young. Now they’re handing that same chance to the kids you’ll watch onstage.
That makes a ticket under the tree a gift that gives twice. Someone you love gets a night (or afternoon) at the ballet, and a young NWA dancer gets a spot at the barre.
An Easy First Ballet for Your Little Sugar Plums
Got a kid? The Nutcracker is a gentle first ballet. It has vivid characters, music they already hum and a story they can follow from first curtain to final bow. The show runs about 100 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission, so even the wiggliest audience members get a break.
Source: Ozark Ballet Theater
Pick your showtime. Friday’s 7 p.m. curtain is your date-night pick. Saturday and Sunday both go at 2 p.m., which is prime matinee territory for little ones who fade by bedtime. Lap children 2 and under are welcome, but any child who takes a seat needs a ticket. Refreshments and keepsakes wait in the lobby.
ADA parking and accessible seating are available. Email boxoffice@obt.dance for special assistance.
Tickets are sold by showtime, so get cracking!
See you there, NWA.
