December 12–13, 2026 @ East Providence High School
Be a part of a magical Holiday Tradition...THE NUTCRACKER! This is a wonderful performance opportunity for young dancers afforded by Dance For Art Inc. (DFA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Our Nutcracker "For Kids, By Kids" is open to all Preschool, Primary, Level 1–5, and Company dancers!

Participation & Registration

• Students must be enrolled in a 2026–2027 Season class by October 1 to participate in this performance.
• Participation for students who enroll after October 1 is TBD pending costume availability and amount of choreography missed.
• Spots and costumes are limited. Enroll ASAP!
• All eligible dancers are automatically enrolled in The Nutcracker. No separate registration is needed.
• If your dancer cannot participate, please let us know by September 30.
• An $18 registration fee will be charged to the primary card on file on October 18. Proceeds go to DFA.
• Students borrow DFA costumes at no additional cost.
• Recreational classes learn choreography in class with no additional rehearsals.
• This performance is mandatory for Company. Company has additional weekend rehearsals and the registration fee is included in DFA Dues.

Performances

• Each studio class dancer performs in one show. Once the schedule is finalized, we will send your dancer's performance day and time.
• Company & Party Scene Guests perform in all 3 shows. Company rehearsal and weekend timeline will be shared separately.
• Show run time is approximately 80 minutes.

Performance Day Info

• Recreational dancers arrive 30 minutes before showtime in camisole, pink tights, red CDDS T-shirt, ballet shoes, hair in a low bun with center part, and stage makeup. Levels 2–5 wear black leggings, too.
• Dancers receive their borrowed DFA costume at the show.
• One parent picks up their dancer at the end of the show after the parade of dancers.

Tickets

• Tickets go on sale in November! Performance times and ticket information will be shared as we get closer.

Dance For Art

• Dance For Art (DFA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that sponsors and supports the entire production. DFA's mission is to provide youth with affordable dance and performance opportunities.
• DFA funds the show—including costumes, scenery, props, choreographers, rehearsals, and more!
• Please support our Dance For Art fundraisers so we can continue providing affordable performance opportunities, quality costumes and productions, and more!
• Tax-deductible donations are always welcome and go directly toward supporting our dancers.

We can't wait for another great Nutcracker!

Testimonial:
Dear Studio Staff and Teachers,
I just wanted to write to say how amazing, beautiful, and fun the Nutcracker was! I was so impressed with the artistry, choreography, and execution by the dancers. It was truly amazing! Each year, it gets better and better (and each time I think there is no way it could improve!)
Thank you for all you have done for my daughters. We have had such a difficult year and the dance studio (and teachers) have been one of the stable, safe, and happy places/people for all of us. Without the studio in our lives, we would have been lost!
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Dear Miss Carolyn,

I am a dad of three dancers at the Greenville studio.  This is the third year of dance for the twins and the first for Mackenzie.  All of them participated in the Nutcracker performance this weekend.

To say that I am happy with their experience in your studio is an understatement.  I am overjoyed, thrilled, ecstatic that my girls are a part of your studio.  Each weekly rehearsal, dress rehearsal, and performance that I experience further reinforces that my wife and I chose the best studio possible for our girls to learn the art of dance.  I am impressed by the high caliber of dancing at all levels.  Even more importantly, I am impressed at the values, dedication, and nurturing that you instill in the staff (both the teaching staff and the older girls that help out each week in class).  As I am sure you realize, these are the skills that will mean the most to the young girls as they grow older.  Learning dance, and any art for that matter, is not only about the steps, the expression, and the intrinsic thrill that the dancers experience, but also about dedication, perseverance, and a lifelong drive for learning.  It is clear to me that your work and dedication to this is instilled in all the teachers and staff at Carolyn Dutra.
My wife and I are musicians and teachers, so the arts and teaching are very much passions for us.  We have both experienced directors and teachers who are self-serving, relentless, and nasty.  We are all familiar with the infamous Abby Lee Miller, as well.  These kinds of directors may produce a good product, but at what price?  You are the antithesis of this; a model of patience, kindness, and a devotion to the art of dance and the students you work with.

After the dress rehearsal yesterday and the performance today, all my girls could do was talk about it.  The costumes, the characters, Clara, the death scene of the mouse King (Queen?).  They reenacted that several times.  Mackenzie kept talking about the different colored jammies of the girls at the party.  These little things that they remember are sweet, and they will forget about them eventually.  But, they have taken away much more than this from the performance; a good attitude about working hard, a desire to grow, and enthusiasm for dance that will last for many years to come.

I cannot wait to see my girls grow as part of your studio.  I look forward to many more performances in the future.  If there is ever anything my wife or I can do to help support you and the studio, please do not hesitate to let us know.  Please feel free to share this email with any one at the studio that would want to read it.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Sincerely,
Anthony & Lauren Amitrano