PHOTO GALLERY: Nutcracker Young People’s Concerts Delight Thousands of Students

Bakersfield’s beloved holiday tradition, The Nutcracker, is celebrating its 47th annual production this Christmas season, bringing magic to audiences of all ages. Today and tomorrow, as many as 6,000 local students will have the chance to experience the wonder of ballet during the Nutcracker Young People’s Concerts held at the Mechanics Bank Convention Center.

“This is my 37th Nutcracker,” said Ann Conrad, associate artistic director of Civic Dance Center. “It becomes a tradition everybody looks forward to. Not just the kids, but us too.”

Students are bused in from around the region to see the performance, coming from as far away as Allensworth in Tulare County, as well as Tehachapi, Delano, and Lost Hills. For many, this is their first chance to see a ballet performed with live music. 

“It’s amazing. I love that the arts can really bring a large demographic of people together,” said Erica Ueberroth, executive artistic director of Civic Dance Center.

Hosted by the Civic Dance Center in partnership with the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS), the Young People’s Concerts offer a kid-friendly, 45-minute version of the classic ballet. Students can enjoy excerpts of iconic dance pieces and get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of ballet, all paired with commentary from Kern County Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Mendiburu.

“They get to see it firsthand, the instruments, the lights. We open the curtain and allow them to see how the dancers warm up,” Conrad said. “Even if they came to a regular show, they don’t get to see all of that.”

The Young People’s Concerts are designed to inspire and educate children while introducing them to the arts. Ueberroth says she has heard many stories of students seeing this performance and wanting to sign up for dance classes.

“Kids convince their parents to bring them to a full-length show,” she said. “And then they show up at the studio and say: ‘We saw your show. We loved it. We want to dance too.'” 

For students across Kern County, this is just one of many ways to spark a passion for the arts, something Ueberroth was grateful to have from a young age. 

“Keeping the arts alive in schools is extremely important because it makes it more accessible to the community,” she said. “I wasn’t mathematically inclined; however, the arts were my passions, and they still are. Because I was exposed to it, that kept me coming to school.”

For those who want to experience the full magic of The Nutcracker, the complete production runs at the Mechanics Bank Convention Center from Friday, Dec. 13 through Sunday, Dec. 15. Tickets can be purchased HERE.

“How many of you have been to the theater?” asks Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Mendiburu as he introduces The Nutcracker.

Students meet cast members after the performance.

“That’s kind of the dream role I never knew I had until I was performing it.” – Erica Ueberroth as Mother Ginger.