The Asheville Ballet’s Nutcracker has been a holiday tradition in Asheville for half a century. Children and adults will be charmed yet again by ballet’s greatest classic. This all-time favorite story of Clara’s magical midnight trip to the Land of Sweets is classical ballet at its best. Snow will fall in the Snow Queen’s kingdom, scary rats will frighten and good soldiers will rescue Clara, the exquisite Sugar Plum Fairy and her handsome Cavalier will dance their eternally lovely pas de deux, and beautiful flowers will waltz, and waltz, and waltz.

There is an historical line behind our production, from Petipa and Vaganova in 19th century Russia, to their pupil and dancer George Balanchine in 20th century New York, to his pupil Ann Dunn in 21st century Asheville. This year’s production features new choreography for several dances, including Tea, Peppermint, Chocolate, and the elegant Snow Queen. The creative team that has built on original choreography by Marius Petipa and Ann Dunn includes Fleming Lomax, Allison Hertzberg, Marcelo Martinez, Megan Jones Medford, Tricia Renshaw, and Jacob Walas.

With great excitement, we announce the return of featured artist, Marcelo Martinez, as the Cavalier. He will once again partner our own Megan Jones Medford’s Sugar Plum Fairy. Mr. Martinez appears courtesy of Carolina Ballet, and we are thrilled to welcome him back to Asheville. In addition, we are pleased to welcome guest artist and beloved Asheville local, Rob Bowen, in the roles of Drosselmeyer and Mother Ginger.

Marcelo Martinez was born in Paraguay where he began his training at the former Academia de danza Bettina Ramos. He then continued his training in Brazil at the Centro de Dança Rio under the instruction of Maria Angelica Fiorani. At age 17 he was accepted into the Companhia Jovem do Teatro Municipal do Rio De Janeiro where he danced under the directions of Dalal Aschar and Mariza Estrella. Mr. Martinez accepted a position with The Washington Ballet where he danced lead roles including Cavalier in The Nutcracker, Stravinsky Violin Concerto by Balanchine, and The Rite of Spring by Trey MacIntyre. In 2007, he joined Carolina Ballet, where he has danced many principal roles. Mr. Martinez has also appeared as a guest artist with Greensboro Ballet, Susan Farrell Ballet, Arka Ballet, The Raleigh Dance Theater, and The Asheville Ballet. 

Megan Jones Medford received a BA in Dance Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She spent six years in NYC as a professional dancer and teacher. Along with freelance work Megan was a company member with Periapsis Music & Dance, LiNK! the movement, and Shauna Sorensen and Dancers. Her performances include SummerStage, Jazz at the Lincoln Center, American Dance Guild Festival, Symphony Space, New York Moves, Carnival, and Choreographers Canvas. Megan trained with Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Martha Graham School, and American Dance Festival. She was on faculty for the Children & Teen Program at Broadway Dance Center and at All Star Studios in NYC. She has guest taught and choreographed for studios and conventions around the States. Megan and her family moved back to her hometown of Asheville, NC, where she performed with Lindsey Kelley Dance and currently performs with The Asheville Ballet and with Stewart/Owen Dance. She is thrilled to be able to share her love of dance by teaching students throughout the area.

Rob Bowen has a MFA in theatre technology with an emphasis on lighting from the University of Texas in Austin. He just retired as a full professor from UNC-Asheville after 30 years of teaching. He has designed many sets and lights professionally and has directed plays as well. Currently he is on the Board of Directors for Asheville Community Theatre. Although he has acted and designed for many dance and ice companies, this is his first time performing with a dance company. Since retiring, he gets to spend more time with his wife of 43 years, his children, and grandchildren who all have a deep appreciation for the performing arts.