Salt Creek Ballet to present 'Nutcracker' with guest artists

HINSDALE – Salt Creek Ballet brings its festive family-friendly “Nutcracker” ballet to the Hinsdale Central Auditorium at 1 and 5 p.m. Nov. 28 and 1 p.m. Nov. 29. Sunday’s performance includes a special benefit performance and Sugar Plum Party.

Adventure awaits as Clara and her Nutcracker Prince battle the Mouse King and embark on a journey through the Land of Sweets with the Sugar Plum Fairy. This year’s 30th anniversary production features elaborate sets, vibrant costumes, a 42-piece ensemble and internationally recognized guest dancers. Salt Creek Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” is designed to introduce young children to the power and beauty of classical dance, according to the news release.

The holiday tradition this year features a cast of 100 dancers, including local children and young adults ages 8 to 17 from the school of the Salt Creek Ballet, as well as the Chicago West Chamber Orchestra.

Guest artists will include Ilya Kozadayev and Yumelia Garcia. Kozadayev is the son of Salt Creek Ballet’s artistic directors, Sergey Kozadayev and Zhanna Dubrovskaya.

Ilya Kozadeyev, a former soloist with Houston Ballet, is an assistant professor of dance at the University of Oklahoma, pursuing his master’s degree in choreography. In addition, his professional career includes performing with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Colorado Ballet and Boston Ballet.

Yumelia Garcia, having retired from Joffrey Ballet in 2014 as a leading artist, is pursuing the next chapter of her life, which includes numerous guest appearances while obtaining a degree at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee.

Sunday’s performance includes special admission to the Sugar Plum Party, where audience members can meet characters from “The Nutcracker,” step onto the stage and enjoy refreshments in an enchanted, winter wonderland. Tickets for the Sugar Plum Party benefit performance cost $27 to $43 for adults, and $27 to $37 for seniors and children. A limited number of second balcony tickets are available for $21.

Additional performances of Salt Creek Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” will be offered Dec. 5 at the Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University, University Park, and Dec. 12 and 13 at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie.

Cast members

• Westmont

Renee Augustyn, Jenna Nilles, Neda Pozingyte, Taylor Fodor, Ashley Fodor, Avery Hoerman

• Hinsdale

Ella Bagull, Stephanie Baldwin, Anna Keeling, Grace McGowan, Kamila Sawasko, Lena Yerlioglu, Audrey Giltner, Maya Conway, Sydney Venetsano, Samantha Leddy, Sarah Jane Nicholson, Ava Alessi, Ellie Andrzeiew, Holly Marcus, Kylie Norman, Katherine Bai, Faith Drescher, Rachel Thompson, Katie Wilson, Lainey Clark

• Bensenville

Gabrielle Torres

• Downers Grove

Grace Dicke, Bella Murphy, Talia Johnson, Natalie DiBartolo, Brittney DiBartolo

• Clarendon Hills

Vivian Sweeney, Emily Block, Haley Cashman, Elia Crisan, Polina Seidel, Olivia Costello, Gretchen Laurence, Keona Schaller, Skylar Penland, Melina Slone

• La Grange

Brooke Walsh, Peri Deroche, Caroline Tio, Madelyn Wren

• La Grange Park

Julia Kucera

• Riverside

Vera Brennema

• Burr Ridge

Sophia Zich, Sarah Govostis, Meghan Malec

• Willowbrook

Allyson Volk, Lauren Witt

• Romeoville

Olivia Rivera

• Western Springs

Kayla Sinars

• Darien

Angela Timova

• Woodridge

Megan Montinola, Stephanie Salerno

• Glen Ellyn

Ingrid Pearson

• Naperville

Daniel Martynoc, Claudia Witte

• Willow Springs

Anya Mills

• Wheaton

Jillian Reid

• Lisle

Naomi Marx

Carol Stream

Tess Denault

• Lemont

Alana Jodwalis

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If you go

WHAT: Salt Creek Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”

WHERE: Hinsdale Central Auditorium, 5500 S. Grant St., Hinsdale

WHEN: 1 and 5 p.m. Nov. 28, and 1 p.m. Nov. 29

COST: Tickets start at $15

INFO: 800-514-ETIX(3849); www.saltcreekballet.org