Nooga Nutcracker
Welcome to Chattanooga Dance Theatre's 10th annual Nooga Nutcracker!
A delightful twist on the classic ballet, Nooga Nutcracker is set in present-day Chattanooga. As the story goes, Clara after receiving her Nutcracker, goes to sleep and is awakened by a sassy mouse queen. With the help of the Chattanooga Mocs and Clara, the Nutcracker defeats the mouse queen and her posse. To thank Clara for her assistance, the Nutcracker prince takes Clara, out into Chattanooga for a magical night on the town.
The performance involves a variety of dance including, ballet, modern dance, jazz dance, and acrobatics.
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Nooga Nutcracker 2023 is returning to the stage! Catch these Performances at UTC's Fine Arts Center on Saturday, December 16th at 2pm and 7pm. Tickets go on sale October 17th and can be purchased through the UTC Fine Arts Center box office.
We can't wait to see you there!
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Nooga Nutcracker 2023
At the Theater
Nooga Nutcracker 2023
At UTC Fine Arts Center
Chattanooga Dance Theatre is excited to bring their annual Christmas production to the newly renovated Roland Hayes Theatre at UTC Fine Arts Center this December. With the full cast and guest dancers for the role of Sugar Plum and Cavalier.
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Performances will take place at UTC's Fine Arts Center on December 16h at 2pm and 7pm. Tickets go on sale October16th.
Guest Dancers
Cavalier
Fabio Mariano
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So ecstatic to welcome our Sugar Plum Cavalier, Fabio Mariano of Collage Dance to Chattanooga and the Nooga Nutcracker! Fabio Mariano was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and started dancing when he was 14 years old. He trained at Maria Olenewa Dance School and performed in big productions of ballet and opera at Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro such as The Nutcracker, The Rite of Spring, Aida and Marguerite & Armand. Taught by renowned Brazilian and Russian teachers from Kirov Ballet, he graduated in 2014. In Brazil he performed classical and contemporary works by different choreographers with Caetano Cia. De Dança, directed by Thiago Caetano and Companhia Jovem de Ballet do Rio de Janeiro, directed by Dalal Achcar and Marisa Estrella. Fábio joined Corpo de Baile Campos dos Goytacazes in 2014, where he performed classical and contemporary works. He also choreographed a contemporary ballet for the company. In 2016, he moved to the USA to join Atlantic City Ballet (NJ) and performed soloist and leading roles in full length productions of The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Dracula and Carmen. Aside from dancing, Mr. Mariano has been a ballet teacher for more than 10 years. In 2020, he co-founded the online platform Blacks in Ballet alongside Ingrid Silva and Ruan Galdino to highlight ballet dancers of color. Fábio Mariano has been an artist with Collage Dance since 2017.
Sugar Plum Fairy
Lauren Huynh
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We are so excited to bring guest dancer, Lauren Huynh, of Collage Dance Collective to our stage on December 18th for the role of Sugar Plum Fairy! Lauren Huynh, born and raised in Plano, Texas, began her training at the Hathaway Academy of Ballet. She was later awarded the Nordan Fine Arts Scholarship at Texas Christian University, where she graduated with a BFA in Ballet and Modern Dance, as well as a minor in General Business. She has performed choreography by George Balanchine, August Bournonville, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Francesca Harper, Jennifer Archibald, Gabrielle Lamb, LeeWei Chao, Adam Barruch, among others. Lauren has attended summer programs at BalletX, Oregon Ballet Theatre, and Joffrey Ballet as well as Alonzo King LINES Ballet and Dance Theatre of Harlem on full scholarships. During the spring of 2021, Lauren joined Bruce Wood Dance as an Apprentice. Ms. Huynh is currently in her first season as a company artist with Collage Dance Collective.