THE NUTCRACKER
A San Antonio tradition for the whole family — full of wonder, excitement, and holiday magic.
DECEMBER 5-7 & 12-14, 2025
Ballet San Antonio Presents: The Nutcracker
Dear Friends,
Welcome to Ballet San Antonio’s annual holiday classic, The Nutcracker!
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our season sponsors, Carla and John Brozovich; our Lead Corporate Sponsor of The Nutcracker, H-E-B and the H-E-B Tournament of Champions; our Premiere Sponsor, The Tobin Endowment, in honor of J. Bruce Bugg, Jr.; as well as Valero, the City of San Antonio Department of Arts and Culture, and Bexar County.
This year’s production, co-choreographed by Haley and Easton Smith, features a children’s cast of talented students from across Bexar County, performing alongside dancers from our official school, the School of Ballet San Antonio. We are delighted to present live music by The Orchestra San Antonio under the direction of conductor Leonardo Pineda, and to welcome cherished community members in the beloved role of Mother Ginger.
We hope you will join us later this season for the final production of our 40th Anniversary Season—Cinderella—February 20–22 here at the Tobin Center. Your continued support—through your attendance, enthusiasm, and generosity—makes it possible for us to do what we love most: perform for you.
If you are able, please consider making a gift today. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a meaningful impact and helps ensure that ballet continues to flourish in San Antonio.
Thank you for celebrating this milestone season with us. We are deeply grateful for your presence and hope you enjoy the performance.
Evin Eubanks Rose Rafael Ferreras
Chief Executive Officer Artistic Director
A holiday tradition for the whole family.
Meet The Artists
CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM
Artistic Director: Rafael Ferreras
Rehearsal Director: Jacob Bush
This years Nutcracker performance is choreographed by Haley and Easton Smith.
Friday December 5th at 7:30 PM
Saturday December 13th at 7:30 PM
Saturday December 6th at 2:00 PM
Sunday December 14th at 2:00 PM
Act I Cast
Clara: Alexa Horwath
Fritz: BSA Student
Mrs. Stahlbaum: Haley Blackwelder
Mr. Stahlbaum: Zach Bennett
Couple #1: Man Zane Snyder
Couple #1: Woman Emily Johnson
Couple #2: Man Aidan Carrasquel
Couple #2: Woman Macy Richter
Couple #3: Man Alberto Andrade
Couple #3: Woman Alexandra Carey
Single Guest # 1: Emilie Geib
Drosselmeyer: Jacob Bush
Dross' Nephew: Aiden Moss
Grandmother: Buse Babadag
Grandfather: Michael Agudelo
Nurse: Isabella Long
Godmother: Brenna Mulligan
Gertrude: Elaine Blank
Maid: Mikaela Stewart
Butler: Zane Tahvildaran-Jesswein
Harlequin Doll: Will Robichaud
Colombine Doll: Andrea Huynh
Russian Doll: Luciano Perotto
Rat Queen: Sofie Bertolini
Nutcracker Soldier: Aiden Moss
Rat #1: Alberto Andrade
Rat #2: Zane Tahvildaran-Jesswein
Rat #3: Zane Snyder
Rat #4: Aidan Carrasquel
Snow Queen: Vianca Palacios
Snow King: Zach Bennett
Snowflake #1: Sofia Marquez
Snowflake #2: Logan Acker
Snowflake #3: Mikaela Stewart
Snowflake #4: Emilie Geib
Snowflake #5: Emily Johnson
Snowflake #6: Isabella Long
Snowflake #7: Andrea Huynh
Snowflake #8: Buse Babadag
Snowflake #9: Elaine Blank
Snowflake #10: Alexandra Carey
Snowflake #11: J.ulia Davies
Snowflake #12: Haley Blackwelder
Leonardo Pineda, Conductor
Instrumentation
Act I Cast
Clara: Brenna Mulligan
Fritz: BSA Student
Mrs. Stahlbaum: Julia Davies
Mr. Stahlbaum: Zane Snyder
Couple #1: Zach Bennett
Couple #1: Emily Johnson
Couple #2: Will Robichaud
Couple #2: Macy Richter
Couple #3: Alberto Andrade
Couple #3: Elaine Blank
Single Guest #1: Sofia Marquez
Drosselmeyer: Jacob Bush
Dross’ Nephew: Michael Agudelo
Grandmother: Vianca Palacios
Grandfather: Aidan Carrasquel
Nurse: Isabella Long
Godmother: Buse Babadag
Gertrude: Alexandra Carey
Maid: Mikaela Stewart
Butler: Zane Tahviladaran-Jesswein
Harlequin Doll: Luciano Perotto
Colombine Doll: Logan Acker
Russian Doll: Aiden Moss
Rat Queen: Haley Blackwelder
Nutcracker: Michael Agudelo
Rat #1: Alberto Andrade
Rat #2: Zane Tahviladaran-Jesswein
Rat #3: Zane Snyder
Rat #4: Zach Bennett
Snow Queen: Sofie Bertolini
Snow King: Will Robichaud
Snowflake #1: Sofie Marquez
Snowflake #2: Logan Acker
Snowflake #3:Mikaela Stewart
Snowflake #4: Emilie Geib
Snowflake #5: Emily Johnson
Snowflake #6: Haley Blackwelder
Snowflake #7: Andrea Huynh
Snowflake #8: Vianca Palacios
Snowflake #9: Elaine Blank
Snowflake #10: Alexandra Carey
Snowflake #11: Julia Davies
Snowflake #12: Isabella Long
The Orchestra San Antonio
The Nutcracker
Flute/piccolo: Catherine Gregory
Oboe/English horn: Lucian Avalon
Clarinet I: Viktor Toth
Clarinet II/bass clarinet: Rodrigo Orviz
Bassoon: Nik Hooks
Horn I: Arlet Tabares
Horn II: Gabriella Ibarra
Assistant principal horn: Mauricio Martinez
Trumpet: Alexander Ramazanov
Tenor/bass trombone: Cole Davis
Timpani: Matthew kibort
Percussion: Juan mora
Harp: Julie Woolfolk
Celesta: Wayne Ching
Violin I
Stand I: Henry lang, concertmaster
Mark Chein, associate concertmaster
Stand 2: Liana Branscome & Rita wang
Stand 3: Brendan Speltz & Luis Cuevas
Stand 4: Yuanmiao Li & Ronald Villabona
Violin II
Stand 1: Sami Merdinian & Imanuel Sandoval
Stand 2: Daniela Diaz
Stand 3: Brenda Rengel & Ryan zarmbinski
Stand 4: Eliezer Anteliz
Viola
Stand 1: Kevin Hsu & Seyoun Park
Stand 2: Luke Fleming & Tal McGee
Stand 3: Kyle Davis & Nelsy Badia
Cello
Stand 1: Andrew Janss
Stand 2: Abby Monroe & Laura Andrade
Stand 3: Denise Ro & Julia Henderson
Double pass
Stand 1: Luis Primera & Kurt Riecken
Stand 2: Marian Castro
Soloist Julia Davies. Photo by Em Watson.
Saturday December 6th at 7:30 PM
Sunday December 7th at 2:00 PM
Friday December 12th at 7:30 PM
Saturday December 13th at 2:00 PM
Act II Cast
Sugarplum Fairy: Brenna Mulligan
Cavalier: Michael Agudelo
Spanish Woman: Julia Davies
Spanish Man #1: Zach Bennett
Spanish Man #2: Alberto Andrade
Arabian Woman: Sofie Bertolini
Arabian Man: Will Robichaud
Tea Woman: Buse Babadag
Tea Man: Aidan Carrasquel
Mirliton Soloist: Elaine Blank
Mirliton Corp #1: Alexandra Carey
Miriton Corp #2: Emily Johnson
Mirliton Corp #3: Haley Blackwelder
Mirliton Corp #4: Isabella Long
Russian Soloist: Luciano Perotto
Russian Corp #1: Zach Bennett
Russian Corp #2: Zane Snyder
Flower Lead Woman: Alexa Horwath
Flower Lead Man: Aiden Moss
Act II Cast
Sugarplum Fairy: Buse Babadag
Cavalier: Aidan Carrasquel
Spanish Woman: Alexandra Carey
Spanish Man #1: Zane Snyder
Spanish Man #2 Zane Tahvildaran-Jesswein
Arabian Women: Vianca Palacios
Arabian Man: Zach Bennett
Tea Woman: Andrea Huynh
Tea Man: Luciano Perotto
Mirliton Soloist: Julia Davies
Mirliton Corp #1: Sofia Marquez
Mirliton Corp #2: Emilie Geib
Mirliton Corp #3: Logan Acker
Mirliton Corp #4: Alexa Horwath
Russian Soloist: Aiden Moss
Russian Corp #1: Luciano Perotto
Russian Corp #2: Zane Snyder
Flower Lead Woman: Brenna Mulligan
Flower Lead Man: Michael Agudelo
A Special Thank You To Our Sponsors This Season!
Season Sponsors Carla & John Brozovich
Lead Corporate Sponsor
Premier Sponsor
Please Note: tickets are only valid if purchased directly through the Tobin Center Box Office. No third-party seller tickets will be accepted for this show.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2025
7:30 PM
TOBIN CENTER | H-E-B PERFORMANCE HALL
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2025
2:00 PM
TOBIN CENTER | H-E-B PERFORMANCE HALL
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2025
7:30 PM
TOBIN CENTER | H-E-B PERFORMANCE HALL
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2025
2:00 PM
TOBIN CENTER | H-E-B PERFORMANCE HALL
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2025
7:30 PM
TOBIN CENTER | H-E-B PERFORMANCE HALL
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2025
2:00 PM
TOBIN CENTER | H-E-B PERFORMANCE HALL
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2025
7:30 PM
TOBIN CENTER | H-E-B PERFORMANCE HALL
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2025
2:00 PM
TOBIN CENTER | H-E-B PERFORMANCE HALL
Run Time: Aproximately 1 hour and 50 minutes, including one 20-minute intermission
Know Before You Go!
LOCATION
H-E-B Performance Hall
Tobin Center For The Performing Arts
100 Auditorium Circle, San Antonio TX 78205
PARKING
The Tobin Center Parking Garage is located at:
227 4th Street, San Antonio, TX 78205.
You can purchase your parking in advance or pay upon arrival.
Dropping off? The patrons’ drop off area is on Auditorium Circle, located to the left of the Tobin Center’s front steps. To access the drop-off location, drive north on Jefferson Street and turn left on Auditorium Circle.
ADMISSION
Feel free to present your tickets digitally on your mobile device.
If you prefer a printed version: Log into your account to view your order. You can reprint your tickets from the Order History tab under My Account.
If you are picking your tickets up at will call or need the box office to reprint your tickets, please be prepared to present ID matching the name on the ticket order.
SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE
Posting about the show on your socials? We want to see! Tag @tobincentersa and @balletsa for a chance to be featured on our social media,
PROHIBITED ITEMS
The Tobin Center is committed to creating a safe and enjoyable environment. The following items are NOT allowed:
Weapons of any kind: firearms, knives, tasers, mace, etc.
Vapes or vape pens
Professional cameras, audio/video recorders
Laser pointers, glow sticks, flashlights
Backpacks
Large bags (no larger than 12” x 12” 12”)
Illicit substances
Outside food or beverages
Posters or signs
Any items or apparel deemed a potential danger to others, at Tobin Management’s discretion
PRE-SHOW DINING
Taste Fine Dining! Conviently located in the McLaughlin Rotunda, TASTE Fine Dining offers a delicious chef-driven seasonal buffet curated to each specific performance along with an assortment of delightful desserts. Each dining experience will begin 2 hours prior to showtime.
View the TASTE menu here
STOUTS SIGNATURE AT THE TOBIN
Stout's Signature is conveniently located on the street level of the Tobin Center parking garage and features upscale plates from filets to risottos backed by a full bar of handcrafted cocktails.
Click here for reservations
PRE-ORDER CONCESSIONS
Have your drinks ready for you when you arrive! Skip the bar line and order directly from your phone!
The Tobin Center is please to offer a new way to order your drinks with Noble. Say goodbye to long lines this season!
MORE INFORMATION
For additional questions, please contact the Tobin Center Box Office at 210-223-8624.
“On behalf of all of us at Ballet San Antonio, thank you for joining us for The Nutcracker. Your patronage not only supports our performances here at the Tobin Center, but also our San Antonio community programs such as Learning That Moves You, Send the Kids to the Ballet and our ability to offer The Nutcracker Film, free of charge, to students across the state of Texas.”
- Evin Eubanks, CEO
MEET THE CHARACTERS
Thank you to our generous donors for helping Ballet San Antonio keep the art of dance alive and thriving
Rachel and Ricardo Reyna
Champion
Mimi Yu & John Frederick
Benefactor
Marissa Mata Fogarty
Supporter
L'effet Papillon
Crystale Cruz
Partner
Christina Varela Mayer
Benefactor
Kelsie Westmoreland
Supporter
Corinna Richter
Supporter
Lisa & Jason Westmoreland
Steward
Whitney & William Bonner
Supporter
Karen Lee Zachry
Supporter
Claire Cavender McNab
Supporter
Rebecca & Scott Nathan
Benefactor
Ruth Storrie
Supporter
Cynthia Rubsamen
Supporter
Cheryl Burroughs
Supporter
Upcoming Events
Families are invited to experience a special narrated performance of The Nutcracker - a storybook favorite brought to life onstage, but the fun doesn’t stop there! Kids and parents alike can dive into festive arts and crafts, colorful face painting and other hands-on activities to make the afternoon merry and bright.
Follow The Mouse Queen and her Mice on a backstage adventure and be sure to stop by for an exclusive photo opportunity with some of your favorite characters like The Sugar Plum Fairy, Clara, The Nutcracker and The Mouse Queen herself!
It’s an afternoon full of sparkle, laughter and sweets for the whole family. This party is not to be missed!
Cinderella returns to the stage February 20-22, with all the beauty and grace of classical ballet — and a playful spirit that makes it perfect for all ages. Follow the kind-hearted young Cinderella as she navigates a household of comical chaos, a royal invitation, and a life-changing night at the palace. With the help of her Guardian Angel, Cinderella is transformed for the ball, where she and the Prince share a fleeting connection. But when the clock strikes midnight, the magic disappears, leaving only a glass slipper behind.
Featuring exquisite dancing, whimsical characters, and Prokofiev’s rich, romantic score, Cinderella is a joyful escape into a world where kindness wins and dreams really do come true.
Join us as we celebrate artistry, community, and the power of dance at Ballet San Antonio’s 8th Annual Luncheon — one of our most anticipated events of the year.
This inspiring afternoon brings together supporters, patrons, and arts enthusiasts for an elegant gathering in support of Ballet San Antonio’s mission to enrich our community through the beauty of ballet. Guests will enjoy a delicious luncheon, engaging speakers, exclusive company highlights, and heartfelt performances by our talented dancers.
Your presence helps sustain our work both on and off the stage — from breathtaking productions to outreach programs that bring the magic of ballet to audiences of all ages. Together, we celebrate the impact of the arts and the community that makes it possible.
The School of Ballet San Antonio
From First Steps to Center Stage
The School of Ballet San Antonio (SBSA) offers high-quality, joyful dance training for students ages 2–18, with additional classes for adults of all ages. Whether your child dreams of a professional ballet career or simply loves to move, SBSA provides a welcoming, empowering environment grounded in expert instruction and artistic excellence.
Pointe Shoe Fund
Our dancers spend countless hours each day training and performing in pointe shoes, pushing their artistry to the highest level.
With your support, Ballet San Antonio can continue providing the shoes that allow our ballerinas to bring timeless stories to life on stage.
Every step, every leap, every moment of magic is made possible by you.
A Special Thanks To Our Partners
Community
Each season, through our Send the Kids to the Ballet program, we provide free tickets and transportation to children from schools and community groups who would otherwise not have access, considering their personal, economic and geographic challenges. Many of these children are attending a ballet for the very first time.
Established in partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Antonio in 2012, Ballet San Antonio’s Learning That Moves You (LTMY) program is an innovative arts education program offering dance/creative movement classes for underserved children ages 6-12.
SPECIAL THANKS TO SEASON SPONSORS JOHN AND CARLA BROZOVICH
John R. and Greli N. Less Charitable Trust
Myra Stafford Pryor
Charitable Trust