Crooked Tree Arts Center School of Ballet presents “The Nutcracker” featuring stars of the Miami City Ballet

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 8, 2025

Crooked Tree Arts Center School of Ballet presents “The Nutcracker” featuring stars of the Miami City Ballet
Beloved holiday tradition returns to the Great Lakes Center for the Arts Dec. 20–21

PETOSKEY, Mich. — This December, the Crooked Tree Arts Center (CTAC) School of Ballet returns to the Great Lakes Center for the Arts to share the holiday tradition of The Nutcracker with the Northern Michigan community. Performances will take place Saturday, Dec. 20, at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 21, at 3 p.m.

The School of Ballet’s 16th annual production of The Nutcracker will feature stars of the Miami City Ballet, Taylor Naturkas and Alexander Peters. Naturkas, a CTAC School of Ballet alumna, has been a company member with the Miami City Ballet since 2020 and now serves as a principal soloist. She and Peters will also perform the Sugar Plum pas de deux with the company in Miami before and after their performances in Bay Harbor this December.

“I’m thrilled to be invited back home where I first discovered my love for ballet,” Naturkas said. “It is so special for me to share the stage with the up-and-coming CTAC School of Ballet dancers and share what I love with my Northern Michigan community, friends, and family.”

This year’s production will feature new choreography and set designs. All choreography, sets, and costumes are original to the School’s production of The Nutcracker and are crafted by local talent. Dancers range in age from 4 to 54 and include beginners through professionals, performing in styles from classical ballet to ballroom and contemporary dance.

Tickets are priced at $50 for adults, $15 for students, and $100 for box seats. A $150 “Friends of the School of Ballet” ticket option is also available to support the program further. All tickets are reserved seating only; no general admission seats are available. Tickets are available through the Great Lakes Center for the Arts by calling 231-439-2100 or visiting www.greatlakescfa.org.

This production of The Nutcracker is made possible by Patricia M. Kaine. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit the CTAC Dance Scholarship Fund.

For more information about The Nutcracker or the CTAC School of Ballet, contact the Crooked Tree Arts Center at 231-347-4337 or visit www.crookedtree.org/ballet.

Youth dancers in white leotards and tutus pose against a black backdrop — Dancers from Crooked Tree Arts Center School of Ballet's The Nutcracker, credit Dave Harrell

Picture of a young brunette woman with bare shoulders and blue eyes wearing a white top and hoop earrings — Taylor Naturkas, principal solist from Miami City Ballet, will guest star as the Sugar Plum Fairy in this year's The Nutcracker performance put on by the Crooked Tree Arts Center School of Ballet.

Black and white image of young man resting his forehead on his fist, facing the camera. — Alex Peters of the Miami City Ballet will perform as the Cavalier in this year's The Nutcracker performance put on by the Crooked Tree Arts Center School of Ballet.

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About Crooked Tree Arts Center School of Ballet: Founded in 2003 by Artistic Director Heather Raue, the CTAC School of Ballet trains young people for professional careers in dance. The School of Ballet has a long legacy of outstanding training in ballet as well as serious contemporary styles and the emerging field of dance film. Former students have danced professionally in major American companies, attended prestigious BFA and MFA programs and excelled in other dance-related careers.

Media Contact:
Keely Bomee Platte, Marketing & Communications Manager
Crooked Tree Arts Center
231-550-6868 | keely@crookedtree.org

Crooked Tree Arts Center
461 E. Mitchell St.
Petoskey, MI 49770
231-347-4337
www.crookedtree.org