Ballet Minnesota

10/07/2026

✨ MEET OUR SUGAR PLUM FAIRY! ✨

We are thrilled to welcome Graceanne Pierce to Ballet Minnesota’s "The Nutcracker" as our Sugar Plum Fairy! 🩰✨

Graceanne Pierce is a freelance ballet and musical theater artist based in New York City. She is a scholarship graduate student of the JKO School at American Ballet Theatre. After graduation she joined the ABT Studio Company where she was a member for two seasons. In 2019 she joined Ballet West. Credits include Balanchine’s Jewels(Emeralds, Rubies, Diamonds), Lauren Lovette’s Le Jeune, Alexei Ratmansky’s The Nutcracker(Snow, Flowers), Marco Pelle’s Carmen(Carmen), and Balanchine’s La Source at the La Scala Opera House in Milan.

In 2022 after branching out into the musical theater world, Graceanne booked the international tour of A Chorus Line where she had the role of Sheila Bryant. The following year she joined the cast of the show Dance Ballerina Dance in Copenhagen. There she had the principal role of Lauren. The show re-premiered and toured Denmark in the winter of 2025. In the 2024, she made her Metropolitan Opera debut in La Forza del Destino as a featured dancer.

We are so excited to have this incredible artist joining us for the holiday season! ✨ Come experience Graceanne as the Sugar Plum Fairy in Ballet Minnesota’s The Nutcracker at The O’Shaughnessy.

📅 Catch Graceanne on:
Saturday, December 19 at 2:00 PM
Saturday December 19 at 7:00 PM
Sunday, December 20 at 2:00 PM

Join us for a magical holiday tradition and welcome Graceanne to the Ballet Minnesota stage! 🩰✨🎄

09/29/2026

🎄✨ Bring Your Students to The Nutcracker! ✨🎄

Ballet Minnesota invites school groups, homeschool groups, and educators to join us for our Student Matinee of The Nutcracker!

📅 Friday, December 18
⏰ 10:30 AM
📍 The O’Shaughnessy at St. Catherine University

🎟️ Discounted student and chaperone tickets are available!

Give your students the opportunity to experience the magic of live ballet, music, and storytelling with this beloved holiday tradition. It’s a wonderful way to bring the arts into the classroom and create a memorable holiday experience for your group! 🩰❄️

School groups and homeschool groups are welcome!

For group tickets and more information, reach out to our School Group Coordinator at [email protected] or call the Box Office at 651-690-6700.

We’d love to have your students join us for this special holiday performance! 🎄🩰
PC: Emily Charais

09/23/2026

🎄✨ The magic of The Nutcracker is back! ✨🎄
Bring the whole family and experience the wonder, adventure, and timeless magic of Ballet Minnesota’s The Classic Nutcracker! From the dazzling costumes and beautiful dancing to the unforgettable story, it’s a holiday tradition the whole family can enjoy. ❤️

📅 December 19 at 2 PM & 7 PM
📅 December 20 at 2 PM

Make The Nutcracker part of your family’s holiday tradition! 🎟️✨
Ticket Link: https://osh.stkate.edu/Online/default.asp?BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::permalink=TheClassicNutcracker&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::context_id=

09/13/2026

✨ VENUE FEATURE: The O'Shaughnessy at St. Catherine University ✨

For 25 years, The O’Shaughnessy at St. Catherine University has been home to one of Ballet Minnesota’s most beloved holiday traditions The Classic Nutcracker! 🩰🎄

The O’Shaughnessy opened in 1970 and has become one of the Twin Cities’ premier performing arts venues, with its main theater seating up to 1,800 guests.

But for Ballet Minnesota, this stage is more than just a theater its home. ❤️

Generations of dancers have performed here, and countless families have made The Nutcracker at The O’Shaughnessy part of their holiday traditions.

We can’t wait to return home this holiday season and fill the theater with music, dancing and Christmas magic! ✨

📍The O'Shaughnessy at St. Catherine University
🎄 Ballet Minnesota’s The Classic Nutcracker
December 18–20, 2026
Ticket Link: https://www.stkate.edu/oshaughnessy/events/ballet-minnesota-presents-the-classic-nutcracker

09/07/2026

🇺🇸 Happy Labor Day from Ballet Minnesota! 🩰

Today, we celebrate the dedication, passion, and hard work of the people who make our communities and the arts thrive.

From our dancers and choreographers to our production crews, volunteers, teachers, and everyone working behind the scenes, thank you for all that you do! ❤️

We hope you enjoy a well-deserved day of rest, relaxation, and time with the people you love.

Happy Labor Day! 🇺🇸✨

09/03/2026

✨ A Holiday Tradition 38 Years in the Making ✨

For 38 years, Ballet Minnesota has brought the magic of *The Nutcracker* to Minnesota audiences under the artistic direction of Andrew Rist.

But this isn’t just any *Nutcracker*.

The Classic Nutcracker is Ballet Minnesota’s full-length production, telling the complete story of Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, the battle with the Mouse King, the journey through the Snow, and the magical Kingdom of Sweets.

From the beautiful choreography and traditional story to the elaborate costumes, memorable characters, and the magic of the second act, this is the Nutcracker audiences have come to know and love as a family holiday tradition.

For nearly four decades, families have made The Classic Nutcracker part of their holiday celebrations—and we’re excited to continue that tradition this December.

🎄 December 18–20, 2026
📍 The O’Shaughnessy
🎟️ Tickets are on sale now!

Come experience the magic of Ballet Minnesota’s Classic Nutcracker—a full-length holiday tradition, 38 years in the making. ❤️

PC: Emily Charais

09/01/2026

✨ TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW! ✨

Ballet Minnesota’s 38th Annual The Classic Nutcracker returns to The O'Shaughnessy at St. Catherine UniversityDecember 18–20!

🎟️ Performance Dates & Times

✨ Friday, December 18 at 10:30 AM — Student Matinee
✨ Saturday, December 19 at 2:00 PM
✨ Saturday, December 19 at 7:00 PM
✨ Sunday, December 20 at 7:00 PM

Looking for tickets to the December 18 Student Matinee or special College Rate Tickets? Please call the box office at 651-690-6700 for ticket information and availability.

🎟️ Tickets for the public performances are ON SALE NOW!
Get your tickets and make The Classic Nutcracker part of your holiday tradition!

https://www.stkate.edu/oshaughnessy/events/ballet-minnesota-presents-the-classic-nutcracker

08/29/2026

🎄✨ THE COUNTDOWN IS ON! ✨🎄

Something magical is coming…

🩰 Ballet Minnesota’s The Classic Nutcracker returns to The O’Shaughnessy December 18–20, featuring the full-length classic ballet you know and love — PLUS special guest Principal Dancers from New York City! ✨

From Clara’s Christmas Eve to the Battle with the Rat King, the enchanted Snow Forest, and the Kingdom of the Sweets… we’re bringing the magic back to the stage for another unforgettable holiday tradition. ❄️🎄

🎟️ TICKETS GO ON SALE SEPTEMBER 2!

Mark your calendar. Tell your family. Gather your friends.

The Nutcracker is coming.❤️🩰
Photo Credit: Emily Charais Photography

08/14/2026

FALL CLASSES ARE COMING! 🍂🩰
The Classical Ballet Academy, the official school of Ballet Minnesota, is welcoming dancers back to the studio this fall! ✨
Fall classes begin September 9!
Whether your dancer is taking their first steps in ballet or continuing to grow their technique and artistry, Classical Ballet Academy provides quality classical ballet training in a supportive and inspiring environment.
And the best part? Students have the opportunity to perform with Ballet Minnesota twice a year! 🩰✨ It’s a wonderful way for dancers to take their training from the studio to the stage and experience the excitement of performing.
📅 Fall Classes Begin: September 9
🩰 Register today: classicalballetacademymn.com
📞 Questions? Call 651-210-0864
Come dance with us this fall! 💕

CBA provides quality ballet and contemporary dance training and performance including Ballet Minnesota's Nutcracker for ages 4-Adult

05/09/2026

✨ Join Us Tonight at 5:00 PM for an Evening of Dance ✨

Spend your evening enjoying an exciting celebration of movement, music, and artistry featuring an incredible lineup of performers and dance organizations.

Tonight’s 5:00 PM performance features:
🩰 Classical Ballet Academy
👞 SoleArte Tap
🌺 Zorongo
✨ Ballet Minnesota
💃 Kala Vandanam
🎭 Flower Festival
🩰 Minnesota Ballet

— INTERMISSION —

🌟 Ballet Minnesota
🎶 CAAM
✨ O’Shea
🌏 Wattanak Dance Troupe
🩰 Ballet Minnesota

From ballet and tap to cultural and contemporary dance, tonight’s program offers something for everyone.