BACK ON A BIG STAGE: Roxey Ballet will bring its version of “The Nutcracker” to The College of New Jersey’s Kendall Theater in December.
Roxey Ballet, the professional dance company now in its 31st season, has announced that its American holiday classic The Nutcracker will return to The College of New Jersey’s (TCNJ) Kendall Hall Main Stage Theater in Ewing, opening Thanksgiving weekend, November 28-29, and continuing December 4, 5, and 6.
The return marks a milestone moment for the company. Roxey Ballet last performed at TCNJ more than five years ago, before the COVID-19 pandemic forced a state-ordered shutdown of the venue — a closure compounded soon after by the destruction Hurricane Ida brought to the region. In the years since, the company rebuilt from the ground up, and returning to full-scale production at a venue of this caliber was, for a long stretch, more aspiration than plan.
“There were seasons where just finding the energy to keep going was the whole fight,” said Mark Roxey, founder, artistic director, and executive director of the company. Roxey choreographs this year’s production. “To bring our dancers, our families, and this community back onto the TCNJ stage for this season’s Nutcracker — it’s not just a comeback. It’s a statement that this company, and this community, are here to stay and our community partner in TCNJ is a big believer. What a win for our community.”
Kendall Hall’s state-of-the-art house, backstage, and technical capabilities give this year’s Nutcracker room to grow. Audiences can expect elaborate, hand-built sets, original costuming, and a cast that blends professional company artists with dancers, actors, and community members drawn from towns across Mercer, Hunterdon, Somerset, Ocean, and Bucks counties.
On Friday, December 4, at 10 a.m., Roxey Ballet will present its sensory-friendly, relaxed performance of The Nutcracker — a modified version of the production designed for children and adults with autism and other sensory sensitivities, with adjusted sound and lighting and a welcoming, judgment-free house. It’s part of the company’s long-standing commitment to making professional dance accessible to every child in the community, regardless of ability.
Families can also extend the celebration with the Nutcracker “Suites” and Tea Party, a festive afternoon of sweets, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate alongside characters from the ballet, featuring performances by Roxey’s professional artists, photos and autographs, storytime with the Sugar Plum Fairy, and a Nutcracker-themed dance class for young guests.
The move to TCNJ reflects a broader strategy for the company’s next chapter. Roxey Ballet intends to produce the majority of its mainstage performances at TCNJ going forward, using the venue’s expanded seating and technical resources to reach new audiences throughout Central New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania. At the same time, Roxey Ballet continues its partnership with Villa Victoria in Ewing, where it will present productions throughout the year — ensuring the company’s intimate, community-rooted performances remain a fixture alongside its growing mainstage presence.
“This isn’t about leaving anything behind,” said Roxey. “It’s about giving this company — and this region — the stage its artists and its audiences deserve, while keeping Roxey Ballet exactly what it has always been: professional, community-built, and open to every family who wants to be part of it.”
Visit roxeyballet.org for more information.