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.
2022 Featured guest Artists
NARDIA BOODOO
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, of Indo-Trinidadian heritage, Ms. Boodoo is in her fourth season with The Washington Ballet, after dancing with The Pennsylvania Ballet as an apprentice. Ms. Boodoo is a proud alumnus of Dance Theater of Harlem and the Baltimore School for the Arts and has participated in Cultural Exchange Gala’s in Jamaica and in Montana. She was also the original lead for the piece Black Iris by Jeremy McQueen and was selected to perform for Martin Luther King Day Performance at The National Cathedral.
Ms. Boodoo is also a signed model with one of the world’s top modeling agencies, Wilhelmina Models. She has starred in commercials and ads for Tory Sport by Tory Burch, Chanel, Estee Lauder, Beyond Yoga, Reebok, Nike, Yumiko, Eleve, Free People, Banana Republic, and So Danca, to name a few. She has graced the cover of Dance Spirit Magazine, VIP Alexandria, the Village Voice, has had multiple features in Pointe Magazine, and was featured in The Ballerina Project book.
Ms. Boodoo hopes that her presence on stage helps the ballet world to be a more inclusive and equitable place and hopes to continue to inspire young dancers of all colors and races.
RAFAEL BEJARANO
Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, Mr. Bejarano began dance training at the age of 11 at the Royal Academy of Dance in Mexico with Ana Torquemada. He has studied intensively throughout the world at Miami Arts Ballet Theater and in Denmark, Germany, and New York in programs affiliated with The Royal Academy of Dance.
At the YAGP competition in Mexico, he placed top three best male dancers in all of Mexico and was awarded a scholarship to The Washington Ballet School. In 2016, he was also awarded the Louis Vuitton Scholarship and the Rory Schwartz Scholarship.
Currently a member of The Washington Ballet, Mr. Bejarano has danced roles in Giselle, Raymonda, Paquita, Swan Lake, Le Corsaire, Harlequinade, Kermess in Bruges, Romeo and Juliet, The Concert, Les Sylphides, as well as in George Balanchine’s The Prodigal Son and Serenade and Merce Cunningham’s Duets.
Highlights
visiting artist program
Our visiting artist program is made possible by funding from Kansas Creative Arts Industries 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 (11 am – 6 pm M-F) or online via Ticketmaster.
Cast members can access rehearsal schedules here
