ACT ONE
SCENE ONE
The Party
SCENE TWO
The Battle
SCENE THREE
Snow
— Intermission —
ACT TWO
SCENE ONE
Pastry Chefs
Land of the Sweets
Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier
Chocolate
Marzipan
Tea
Licorice
Coffee
Ribbon Candy
Petit Fours
Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier
Finale
SCENE TWO
Epilogue
CAST
Ella Jane Adams, Scott Adams, Aaron Anderson, Harlow Anderson, Reese Anderson, Shaw Anderson, Adley-Rai Armstrong, Ainsley Bare, Ava Grey Barnes, Blake Benton, Emma Berninger, Jason Berninger, Sarah Berninger, Avenly Blanton, Amelia Bradley, Alexus Brewer, Margo Carter, Talia Carter, Kaylee Castelloe, Laure Castelloe, Ayla Cole, Aviela Cranford, Charlotte Doyle, Lainey Eastman, Ryan Greim, Riley Gotkin, Stela Hasemeier, Isla Haughey, Elisa Hegland, Leilani Hendricks, Isolde Heselschwerdt, Wheatley Kepley, Eloise Lea, Arielle Lord, Ila Rose Manning, Natalie McGraw, Ailish O’Brien, Vivienne Orentlikher, Iona Riggsbee, Hope Scanlan, Katherine Thomas, Kate Thompson, Arrow Turk, Remi Turk
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
The tradition of The Nutcracker also lives deeply in the dancers who grow up within it.
SARAH BERNINGER
Company member 1.5 years
Sarah returns this season to the Nutcracker’s Magic of Snow as the all commanding Snow Queen.
I dance because…
“It’s fulfilling! When I dance I feel like I can express myself fully without words, and it has always been the thing that I can turn to throughout my life.”
— Sarah
“The Nutcracker means being able to share with others a beautiful and exciting story that I have loved for years. It is such a pleasure to be able to tell a story through movement.”
KATE THOMPSON
Company member 3 years
Kate returns this season once again in the Magic of Snow along with the role of Lead Ribbon Candy.
“it brings me so much joy to be able to express myself through movement.”
–Kate
“The Nutcracker means being able to share with others a beautiful and exciting story that I have loved for years. It is such a pleasure to be able to tell a story through movement.”
MEET THE NUTCRACKER STAFF
Faculty/Staff
Bailey Simone Talley, FIRST STEPS
Ryan Taylor, Ensemble, All subjects
Katherine Thomas, Studio Dance: PK Dance, Elementary, Teen, Ensemble
Lynnae Benton, Communications Coordinator
Technical
Daniel Haley, Lighting Technician
Marissa Derrick, Technical Director
Sofia Sciaccia, Sound/Stage Manager
AN ENCHANTING HOLIDAY TRADITION
An enchanting holiday tradition returns the weekend before Thanksgiving as Gary Taylor Dance presents The Nutcracker at the Bradshaw Performing Arts Center. For generations, The Nutcracker has marked the beginning of the holiday season, welcoming audiences into Clara’s dream filled with swirling snowflakes, toy soldiers, and the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Since BPAC’s renovation, the venue has served as the home stage for Gary Taylor Dance’s production—bringing together professional artistry, community spirit, and the timeless beauty of Tchaikovsky’s score.
Over the years, the annual performance has become a cherished tradition for families across the region, many of whom return each season to begin their holidays with this magical experience.
Under the direction of award-winning choreographer Gary Taylor, the production continues to evolve while honoring the classical tradition of the ballet. Taylor’s choreography blends technical precision with expressive storytelling, bringing nuance to familiar scenes and allowing dancers to grow into their roles year after year. The result is a production that feels both timeless and deeply connected to the community that supports and celebrates it.
THANK YOU!
Gary Taylor Dance
wishes to thank
Bradshaw Performing Arts Sandhills Community College, Owens Auditorium Staff, Providing state of the art performance venue and support.
and
The BRAVO Committee
for their dedication and commitment to the organization.
DID YOU KNOW?
The beautiful images enjoyed by all are courtesy of Gary Taylor Photography. (Yes one in the same.)
LIKE WHAT YOU SEE?
Help us keep the tradition of the Nutcracker alive with a tax-deductible donation!
GREAT BEGINNINGS LEAD TO EXTRAORDINARY DANCERS – Join us anytime!
STUDIO DANCE
Beginning at age 2.5
Classes meet once a week
FIRST STEPS
PK DANCE
Ballet, Tap,
Creative Movement
ELEMENTARY & TEEN
Ballet, Jazz, Tap
ENSEMBLE DANCE
Beginning at age 7
for the dancer who wants more…
Level appropriate classes include:
ballet, jazz, tap, pointe, partnering,contemporary, musical theater, master classes
