Victoria Stawnyczyj as a Carter Sister and Paul Blizzard as Mother Maybelle (Photo by Richard Mink)
Bristol Ballet, now in its 77th season continues a holiday tradition by performing “The Nutcracker” in historic downtown Bristol. Bristol Ballet’s interpretation of this timeless classic takes place at the Paramount Center for the Arts, Bristol, Tennessee, stage for three performances. They are Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 13 at 12 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
In partnership with the Sullivan County Animal Shelter, Saturday’s noon performance includes a pet adoption event in the lobby of the Paramount. A few furry friends will also take part in the party scene for Paramount performances. In addition, Tiny Miracle Kitten Rescue is at the Saturday evening performance to help adopt kittens. The groups have renamed both adoptions as Bristol Ballet’s “Animal Cracker.”
The Bristol Ballet interpretation of the Tchaikovsky classic Christmas story tips a hat to our region’s Appalachian music history and the 1927 Bristol Sessions with Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters standing in for Mother Ginger and the Polichinelles. Bristol Ballet is the only studio in our community that performs the full production of “The Nutcracker” and has done so for over 50 years.
Experience the wonder of Clara’s adventure as she helps break the spell of the evil Rat Queen and goes on a journey through the Land of Snow and onward to the Land of Sweets. Principal dancer Erin Ginn reprises her role as the Sugar Plum Fairy and welcomes Benji Pearson as the Sugarplum Cavalier and the Nutcracker.
Ginn, a Kingsport, Tennessee, native who resides in New York City, teaches classical ballet and is a certified Pilates instructor. She began her ballet training at a young age under Karen Gibbons-Brown and attended the Walnut Hill School of Performing Arts, receiving Honors for Outstanding Achievement in Ballet. She began her professional career as an apprentice with the Cincinnati Ballet and graduated with High Distinction from Indiana University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Ballet Performance. She has danced nationally and internationally with a number of ballet companies across the country. This will be her 14th year as Sugar Plum.
New to the stage is guest dancer Benji Pearson, who will be playing the roles of Sugar Plum Cavalier and the Nutcracker. Pearson is a freelance ballet dancer based in New York City. He was previously with the San Francisco Ballet and the Boston Ballet where he performed in a variety of classical ballets, like “Sleeping Beauty” and “Swan Lake,” and neoclassical works including Balanchine’s “Agon” and Robbins’ “Glass Pieces.” Pearson also worked closely with choreographer William Forsythe on the premieres of three of his latest ballets.
Kate Arnson-Lauer joins Bristol Ballet for the first time as a guest artist. She performs the role of Snow Queen. She is originally from San Diego, California. She began dancing at City Ballet of San Diego and then went on to work with Kathryn Irey at Stage 7 School of Dance, where she spent the majority of her training. After two seasons as an apprentice with City Ballet of San Diego and one season with Ballet Tucson, she re-joined City Ballet of San Diego as a company member. In 2017, she joined Charlottesville Ballet, performing in “The Nutcracker,” “Cinderella,” “Snow White” and other original works. After retiring from Charlottesville Ballet’s professional company in 2023, she manages Charlottesville Ballet Academy’s Pre-Professional Program. She taught Bristol Ballet’s Intermediate and Advanced Summer Intensive in July of 2025 and is excited to join Bristol Ballet again.
Derek Lauer joins Bristol Ballet for the first time as a guest artist. He dances the role of Snow King. Lauer first began dancing at his mother’s studio in Flagstaff, Arizona. After graduating from the Virginia School of the Arts in Lynchburg, Virginia, he joined Milwaukee Ballet II. Lauer then danced with New York Theatre Ballet. From 2010 to 2013, he danced with Ballet Tucson in Arizona. After that, for the next five seasons, he danced with City Ballet of San Diego. He joined Charlottesville Ballet in 2017 and performed leading roles throughout his career while also teaching on CBA faculty. He retired from the stage in 2023, and he continues to design costumes, develop our Boys Ballet program, and teach in the academy. He also taught Bristol Ballet’s Intermediate and Advanced Summer Intensive in July of 2025 and is excited to join Bristol Ballet again.
Kielyn Minton returns to the stage to be the lead Marzipan. A former Senior Company member at Bristol Ballet, Minton is attending University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music as a Ballet Major. Last year, Minton performed as Snow Queen. Bristol Ballet is excited to have her back on stage.
Josie Stockner, a senior at John S Battle High School performs the lead role of Dew Drop in addition to several other roles. Stockner is the recipient of the Teresangela Schiano Memorial Scholarship. The Teresangela Schiano Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to dancers at the intermediate/advanced level of ballet who are also part of Bristol Ballet’s performing company. The chosen dancer must be active in performing and exhibit skill and dedication to excellence. He or she must possess a desire to progress and grow within the art form. The scholarship provides for all fees for the 2025-2026 season.
For tickets and more information about Bristol Ballet, visit BristolBallet.org; tickets can also be purchased at www.paramountbristol.org.
