Photo by Richard Hurd
Madison Ballet Partners with United Way of Dane County to Offer Free Tickets for The Nutcracker to Families in Need
MADISON – (Tuesday, December 14, 2021) Madison Ballet’s annual production of The Nutcracker returns to Overture Hall this holiday season! And, this year, Madison Ballet wanted to spread the joy by offering free tickets to families who might not otherwise have the means to attend. So, they reached out to United Way of Dane County, who were thrilled at the opportunity and turned to their network of local nonprofit partners to identify families in need and distribute tickets.
A favorite of audiences of all ages, The Nutcracker is the perfect show to help raise spirits across our community after a tough couple of years. Following young Clara as she dreams of traveling one winter’s night with her beloved Nutcracker doll, this year’s performance seamlessly blends Tchaikovsky’s famous score, played by the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, with all-new choreography in celebration of Madison Ballet’s 40th Anniversary season.
“No one should be denied the joys of art,” said Jonathan Solari, CEO of Madison Ballet. “Partnering with United Way to provide free tickets to The Nutcracker helps us break down financial barriers to families and children who may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience the magic of ballet.”
Through this collaborative effort, we are able to gift over 70 tickets – truly helping to make the season more joyous for many families across Dane County.
“We are so grateful to Madison Ballet for thinking of local families this holiday season,” said Renee Moe, President & CEO of United Way of Dane County. “Support for the basics – like food, housing and healthcare – is critically important, but these tickets provide new arts experiences that are additional nourishment for the soul, so often unavailable when resources are tight. It’s a gift to be able to offer a joyous experience like this to the families and nonprofits we serve, especially during the holiday season!”
While the process of providing free tickets to local families in need is now closed, there is still time to support Madison Ballet by attending a performance of The Nutcracker! This show runs from December 17-December 26. Visit their website to learn more and get tickets today.
For additional questions and media inquiries, please contact Karen Burch, VP of Community Engagement and Marketing, United Way of Dane County at (941) 713-0850 or karen.burch@uwdc.org.
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About United Way of Dane County:
United Way of Dane County has been tackling Dane County’s toughest challenges for nearly 100 years. With a mission to unite the community to achieve measurable results that change lives, we are committed to building a Dane County where everyone can succeed in school, work and life. Through strategic partnerships and collaborative work, United Way brings the many voices of Dane County together to find common ground and develop a strategic architecture for change, while engaging businesses and individuals to give, advocate and volunteer in Dane County. Together, we are The Power of Many. Working for All.
About Madison Ballet:
As the resident ballet company of the Overture Center for the Arts and Wisconsin’s second-largest dance organization, we bring world-class ballet to the greater Madison area. We are training the next generation of world-class dancers and inspiring all generations of audiences. We create opportunities to experience the power of dance, on and off the stage, for all ages, genders and races. We pioneer change within our community. We don’t just lift the curtain, we exist to work towards eliminating the boundary completely.