The winter holiday season would not be complete without a local production of “The Nutcracker.” Westside Ballet of Santa Monica, in association with the Santa Monica College Symphony, presents its 40th Anniversary Nutcracker performances at the Broad Stage this weekend on Saturday and Sunday.

However, strong word of mouth in the lead-up to these two shows has led to a sellout of tickets already. The Westside Ballet and SMC partnership is part of a broader initiative to support the arts in education and make the performances accessible to Santa Monica’s youth and underserved community members. Twenty-four of the dancers are high school students concurrently enrolled at Santa Monica College. The production will earn the students three units of college credit through a course listed as Dance 59a – a production class with a curriculum based on what it takes to put a production together. The partnership represents SMC’s commitment to developing pathways from the arts to education. Dr. James Martin, Conductor and SMC Department of Music Chair, said he was thrilled for the partnership…read more at: Westside Ballet’s Production Of “The Nutcracker” Sold Out | Santa Monica Mirror.