cfb professional productions 

CFB’s professional company entertains the community with professional performances where audiences gain culture and appreciation for the art form. By engaging international stars, audiences view the world’s top dance artists who maintain the highest caliber of dancing and most of whom have never danced in Orlando.

Photo Credits: Virgina Trudeau &  Deedee Sherman

The Annual “Nutcracker” at the Orange County Convention Center

The “Nutcracker” ballet is a classic holiday tradition performed all over the world. The story is based on a fairytale in which the Nutcracker doll comes to life as an enchanted prince who saves the pretty young maiden Maria, from distress.  Prince “Nikita” then takes her through a magical journey to his kingdom “The Land of Sweets” where they are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. The Prince tells them about their daring battle with the army of mice and she rewards them with a celebration of dances from all around the world.

Every year, Central Florida Ballet brings international ballet stars to perform the leading roles of “Sugar Plum Fairy” and her “Cavalier.” Guests artists have included principal dancers: Larissa Ponomarenko and Roman Rykine of Boston Ballet, Irina Dvorovenko and Maxim Beloserkovsky of Amercian Ballet Theatre, and Sascha Radetsky from the major motion picture, “Center Stage” and of American Ballet Theatre. In addition, CFB has engaged all time local favorites Heather Sanders and Israel Rodriguez both formerly principal dancers of Orlando Ballet.

In 2003, CFB earned recognition in USA Today as “The Pyrotechnic Nutcracker” for its use of state-of-the-art pyrotechnics and fiber optics props. In addition, CNN Headline News highlighted Central Florida Ballet’s Nutcracker production as one of five outstanding productions in the entire nation.  In 2007, the Southeast Tourism Society marked CFB’s “The Nutcracker” as one of the top 20 events in the southeast region.