TOPEKA’S PREMIER PRODUCTION OF THE NUTCRACKER
With Topeka Symphony Orchestra
Join Clara’s adventures with the Nutcracker Prince, his army of toy soldiers, and their plan to defeat the evil Mouse King! Enjoy this dazzling holiday classic, performed with live musical accompaniment by Topeka Symphony Orchestra. Each year, we are proud to feature student dancers from Kansas Ballet Academy along with visiting guest artists from renowned companies such as Joffrey Ballet, Boston Ballet, and Ballet West.
2025 Featured guest Artists
WAN TING ZHAO
Wan Ting Zhao began her training at Beijing Dance Academy and continued her studies at The Rock School for Dance Education and San Francisco Ballet School. She joined San Francisco Ballet in 2011 and was promoted to principal dancer in 2019. Zhao joined Boston Ballet as a principal dancer in 2025. Her vast repertoire includes principal roles in the major classical ballets as well as in works by the most celebrated choreographers of our time.
Additionally, Zhao performed the role of Rosaline in the 2015 film of Tomasson’s Romeo and Juliet as part of Lincoln Center at the Movies: Great American Dance. Her guest performances include Tahoe Dance Camp, Montana Ballet, and A&A Ballet in Chicago. She has been featured in several modeling, television, and advertising campaigns including Amazon Prime’s Étoile and campaigns by Calvin Klein, Banana Republic, Wolford, Disney, Athleta, and Apple Watch x Hermes.
YUE SHI
Yue Shi began his early ballet training at the Liaoning Ballet School. Shi was invited to join the Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) School Aspirant Program when he competed at the Jackson International Ballet Competition, where RWB Artistic Director André Lewis was a member of the Jury. Shi joined the RWB Company as an Apprentice in 2015 and was promoted to principal dancer in 2021. In 2017, he was a guest artist with Sofia National Opera Ballet, performing the Prince in The Sleeping Beauty. Shi joined Boston Ballet in 2023 as a principal dancer.
Shi has been recognized at numerous international competitions, including the 2018 Shanghai International Ballet Competition (Gold Medal, Senior), 2017 Beijing International Ballet and Choreography Competition (Gold Medal, Senior), Varna International Ballet Competition (Silver Medal, Senior, 2016; Gold Medal, Junior, 2014), Jackson International Ballet Competition (Jury Special Award, Junior, 2014), Moscow International Ballet Competition (Silver Medal, Junior, 2013), and Seoul International Ballet Dance Competition (Gold, Junior, 2013). In 2025, he was invited to serve as a judge at the international Elite Arts Festival.
Highlights
visiting artist program
Our visiting artist program is made possible by funding from the Kansas Arts Commission in partnership with
the National Endowment for the Arts
Topeka Performing Arts Center
Tickets are available through the Topeka Performing Arts Center box office (10am – 4:30pm Tues-Fri) or online via Ticketmaster.
Cast members can access rehearsal schedules here