SPECIAL MATINEE PERFORMANCE OF THE NUTCRACKER FOR SCHOOL Groups

PURE JOY . . . AS KIDS WATCH OTHER KIDS PERFORM

Westchester Ballet Company’s Nutcracker performances are always exciting, but nothing compares to the Special Matinee Performance for School Groups. The kids in attendance show their appreciation with loud cheers, often overpowering the music. They react with joy to every lift, turn, jump, and special effect. There's a magical moment when the audience realizes that the performers are kids just like them. It's a transformative experience, as they cheer for their peers and imagine their own future on stage.

FULFILLING THE MISSION

Central to Westchester Ballet Company’s mission is providing affordable access to the arts. The Special Matinee Performance of The Nutcracker for School Groups does exactly that by bringing thousands of school children to Lehman Center for this special performance. Tickets for this performance are offered at a 68% discount of $15. For many schools in the region, even these discounted tickets are beyond their reach. Further discounts, as low as $5 per ticket, are offered to Title I schools to ensure that any child can attend, no matter where they live or go to school. In 2022, 70% of children attending the School Performance paid only $5.

Corporate sponsors help to underwrite the Special Matinee Performance. In 2022, those sponsors included Montefiore Einstein, SLGreen Realty Corp., The Geiger Stern Team at William Raveis, and Wegmans.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. joins us this year as a 2023 Silver Sponsor.

INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION

Many of our Company dancers attribute their exposure to Westchester Ballet Company’s Nutcracker as the catalyst for their decision to pursue dance. Auditions for Westchester Ballet Company are open to all dancers, ages 6-18, no matter where they receive their ballet training. The Company offers financial assistance and scholarships.