Studio for the Dance Arts
The Dance Annex
NOVEMBER 29-DECEMBER 1 & DECEMBER 7-8
STAR THEATRE, KITTERY, ME
Beginning Thanksgiving weekend, The Dance Annex returns to the STAR Theatre in Kittery, Maine with The Nutcracker, celebrating their eighth annual presentation of this timeless holiday favorite. Follow Clara on her magical journey to the Land of the Sweets in this enchanting production that features members of Annex Contemporary Dance Company, special guest artists, and more than 50 local students. This beloved ballet is sure to delight audiences of all ages. Begin your holiday season with The Nutcracker at the STAR!
Naomi Sawyer (Sugar Plum Fairy) received her early training in ballet, tap and jazz under Kay Welch in Lyndonville, Vermont, with summer intensives at Broadway Dance Center, the Joffrey ballet in NYC and the Boston Ballet School. As a student in Boston Ballet’s training program, she performed in Boston ballet’s Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty, and went on to perform with the Orchesis Dance troupe while attending her physical therapy studies at the University of Vermont. Naomi has been performing with the Northeastern Ballet Theatre since 2013 under the direction of Edra Toth with soloist roles in Le Corsaire, Sleeping Beauty, and Nutcracker, and several lead roles including Wilhelmina in Dracula, Anna in The Snow Queen, Katrina in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Sugar Plum Fairy, Maria in The Sound of Music, and Odette/Odile in Swan Lake. She had made guest appearances as Sugar Plum Fairy, including with Dance Annex. She is a homeschooling mother of two, and works as a licensed physical therapist providing neuro and vestibular rehab, as well as physical therapy specialized for the needs of dancers, including per diem for the Boston Ballet company. Naomi is passionate about injury prevention, bringing together her knowledge as a therapist with her experience as a dancer to help other dancers fulfill their potential and “dance longer, dance stronger!”
Assaf Benchetrit (Cavalier) began his dance and music studies at the Rubin Academy for Music and Dance in Jerusalem, Israel. Upon graduation, he danced with the Jerusalem Dance Theater, the Panov Ballet, and later with The Israeli National Ballet Company. During his military service, Assaf received the “Remarkable Dancer” prize from the Israeli government which allowed him to continue dancing while serving. After completing his military service, he arrived to United States to dance with companies such as The Joffrey, Metropolitan Classical Ballet, Alabama Ballet, Connecticut Ballet, Portland Ballet and Gelsey Kirkland Ballet. Throughout his career, Assaf toured through England, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and numerous other countries. Assaf holds a joint B.S in computer science and B.F.A in dance degrees with academic honors from Montclair State University, and an M.F.A degree in dance from Hollins/ADF/Frankfurt. He is currently an Associate Professor of Theatre and Dance at the University of New Hampshire, and was a faculty member at Yale University, Columbia University (Barnard College), Rutgers University, Montclair State University, and Raritan Valley Community College.
a special thank you to oUR 2024 nutcracker SPONSORS
Support the NUTCRACKER
TICKETS and Performance information
The Nutcracker wouldn't be possible without the generous support of our community. Your contributions go directly to costumes, equipment rentals, artist fees, and production materials. All donations made through December 15, 2024 will go directly toward the 2024 Nutcracker production costs.
To make your tax-deductible donation via our fiscal sponsor Fractured Atlas, please click here. Your name or company name will be listed in our playbill (with your approval). We thank you for your support!
The Dance Annex's The Nutcracker, 2019. Photo Credit: Jennifer Del Deo-Barry
Performance Dates & Times
Friday, November 29, 6pm
Saturday, November 30, 1pm & 6pm
Sunday, December 1, 1pm
Saturday, December 7, 1pm & 6pm
Sunday, December 8, 1pm
Tickets
$34 Adult
$26 Seniors & Children (12 & under)
Lap-sitters are free. Prices do not include fees.
Receive a Special Group Discount when you purchase 5 or more!
Use Promocode: Group24 to receive 5% off the regular ticket price.
Tickets are available only through the Kittery Community Center box office (207.439.3800) at 120 Rogers Rd Kittery, ME 03904 or online at Portsmouth NH Tickets: HERE
Interested in Advertising in our Playbill?
Contact Janelle at tdanutcracker@gmail.com
2024 Guest Artists
Thank you to OUR 2024 CORPORATE SPONSORS & in-kind CONTRIBUTORS
Benefactors
Pepin Associates, Inc
Brett and Megan Patten
Patrons
Loco Cocos Tacos
Black Cat Cleaning, LLC
Ava Wharton
Friends
The Flaherty Family
The Nutcracker performance images by Jasmine Inglesmith Photography