American Repertory Ballet

Event Type: Princeton Ballet School

PBS Open House

Discover Princeton Ballet School at our Open House!

Join us on Friday, September 18th, from 5:00-8:00pm at our Princeton location for a special afternoon celebrating dance, our school, and the dancers who make our community so wonderful.

During our Open House, visitors can peek into classes in session, explore the history of Princeton Ballet School through performance posters and photography displayed throughout our studios, and meet members of our school leadership to learn more about our programs and approach to dance education.

Princeton Ballet School is a place for dancers of all ages and experience levels. We welcome dancers ages 2.5 and older-from those taking their very first steps into the world of dance, to experienced dancers, to those returning to the studio after time away.

Our philosophy is centered on nurturing each dancer in a safe, supportive, and progressive environment. 

And the journey doesn’t end in the studio. Princeton Ballet School dancers have opportunities to perform with American Repertory Ballet, allowing students to experience the excitement, discipline, and joy of performing on stage.

Come see for yourself what makes Princeton Ballet School a special place to learn, grow, and discover a lifelong love of dance.

The Nutcracker

*Performances at State Theatre New Jersey Feature a Live Orchestra and Choir!

American Repertory Ballet invites audiences to celebrate the season with The Nutcracker, a timeless story filled with magic, beauty, and holiday spirit. For more than 60 years, this timeless production has delighted generations, captivating newcomers while remaining a beloved tradition for longtime fans. 

With exhilarating choreography set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, and gorgeous sets and costumes, American Repertory Ballet’s The Nutcracker showcases the company’s professional artists alongside over 100 talented students from Princeton Ballet School, the official school of American Repertory Ballet. Together they tell the beloved story of a young girl named Clara, who receives a mysterious holiday gift and embarks on a wondrous adventure. Guided by her Nutcracker Prince, Clara faces an epic battle against mischievous mice, glides through a snow-filled forest, and arrives in the radiant Land of Sweets. There, the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier welcome her with a series of dazzling dances before she awakens, uncertain whether her magical journey was real or just a dream.

Audio Description Available on December 18 at 7PM and December 19 at 2PM, supported in-part by funding through the NJEDA’s A.R.T. – Phase II Grant Program.

Enhance your Nutcracker experience with our Cookies and Cocoa pre-show event at 12:00 PM! For a $30 add-on per person to the Saturday, November 28 1:00 PM performance at McCarter Theatre, enjoy fresh cookies and hot cocoa while spending time with the enchanting Sugar Plum Fairy and the mischievous Rat King. Delight in festive activities, magical moments, and family fun before the curtain rises on this holiday classic.

Princeton Ballet School Summer Dance 2023

Princeton Ballet School, the official school of American Repertory Ballet, presents its highly anticipated, annual Summer Intensive performance. Students from across the United States and around the world have come to Princeton Ballet School to train with our exceptional faculty, and will showcase their technical and artistic progress. The performance program is a culmination of their hard work and will feature the re-staging of a traditional classical ballet along with several other pieces created specifically for this year’s summer students.

Running time is about 1 hour 30 minutes with one intermission. Seating is general admission. 

Princeton Ballet School’s 2022 Summer Dance

Princeton Ballet School, the official school of American Repertory Ballet, presents its highly anticipated, annual Summer Intensive performance. Students from across the United States and around the world have spent the last five weeks in serious dance study, under world-class faculty, in a warm and companionable atmosphere under caring and careful instruction conducive to technical and artistic progress. The program will feature the re-staging of a traditional classical work along with several others created specifically for this year’s Summer Intensive students.