When Hannah Adamczak says there’s something inherently special about Flint’s production of The Nutcracker, it is coming from a place of deep experience.
Not only was Adamczak a performer in the production at the Flint Institute of Music’s (FIM) Whiting Auditorium as a kid beginning in 2008 all the way through high school, she also has the perspective of a current professional dancer.
Like many former Flint School of Performing Arts (FSPA) students, Adamczak has gone on to achieve professional success in the arts after getting her start in Flint. She graduated from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music (CCM) in 2023. She’s danced with Springfield Ballet Company in Ohio, Dissonance Dance Theatre in Maryland, and Charlottesville Ballet in Virginia.
“Flint Nutcracker, it is just very energetic from the start,” Adamczak said. “I think the party scene in some other productions is not as vibrant or as dynamic as ours, and that kicks off the show. There’s something in it for everyone, there’s the battle scene, there’s snow, there’s the live orchestra, it’s just so magical. And it’s a family tradition, it jumpstarts the holiday season (in Flint) I feel like.”
The milestone performances are this weekend, December 6 at 7:30 p.m. and December and December 7 at 3 p.m., at the Whiting. Both performances are sold out, however people interested in being added to a waitlist in case tickets become available can call the box office at (810) 237-7333. Recordings of the performance will also be broadcast on ABC 12 later this month, at noon on December 14 and at 9 a.m. on December 25.
The story, a two-act ballet set to Russian composer Tchaikovsky’s score, begins on Christmas Eve as Herr Drosselmeyer presents his goddaughter Clara with a magical nutcracker doll. The Nutcracker comes to life and defeats the evil Mouse King, transforming into a prince. Together, they journey through a snow-covered forest to the enchanting Land of Sweets, where they are welcomed by the Sugar Plum Fairy and dazzled by dances from around the world.
The cast features FSPA ballet dancers along with guest performers from professional dance companies. Adamczak said that, when she was a young student dancer, the opportunity to perform alongside professionals in The Nutcracker was invaluable.
“It’s so special because we have guest artists coming from Dance Theatre of Harlem, we have an alumni coming back from Pacific Northwest Ballet come in,” she said. “Seeing people from Flint come back is really important for the other children in Flint to see that you can train here and you can come from this small town and you can make it and have your dreams come true.”
FIM is planning to honor the milestone production, which has become a staple tradition for many families in Flint and Genesee County during the holiday season. A special program will be available at the performances and there will be a series of alumni events on December 6, including a dinner before the show and reception afterward, sponsored by the Serra Foundation.
“For The Nutcracker 50th, we have created a commemorative program book that will be available for purchase at the performances,” said Tara Gragg, FSPA dance department chair and artistic director of The Nutcracker. “The Waltz of the Flowers, Dew Drop, Mother Ginger and Polichinelle costumes are brand new this year, created by long-time Nutcracker designer Ann Kessler. We’re thankful to sponsor Laura Kenworthy Bowers Foundation for helping us bring these to this especially joyous performance. There is a Nutcracker Community Case exhibit at the Sloan Museum of Discovery, and a ‘companion case’ at the FIM Dort Music Center for people who want to see more of the show’s 50-year history.”
The greatest testament to what the production has provided to the community over the years, though, is simply what people will see on stage. FSPA creates incredible opportunities for young dancers, artists, and other performers, and seeing a collection of professionals returning to Flint and dancing alongside students chasing similar dreams is powerful.
“It (her experience as a student at FSPA) was perfect, honestly,” Adamczak said. “It let me focus into something and it was somewhat of an escape from your life and jumping into stories and exploring characters. There are days where it’s hard, you’re exhausted, but you keep doing it because you love it so much and I think Flint instilled a lot of that in me. It’s honestly an honor to come back.”
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