An Update on "The Nutcracker"

You may have heard that, due to financial considerations, Milwaukee Ballet initially made the difficult decision to forgo live music during this year's production of The Nutcracker. However, we are now thrilled to share that thanks to the contribution of a first-time, anonymous donor, the Orchestra has been fully funded to play every public performance of The Nutcracker this season!

We are deeply grateful for this incredibly generous donation and overjoyed to have the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra with us for the holidays. We also thank all of our dedicated subscribers, donors, and ballet enthusiasts for their continued patronage and support throughout challenging times.

Even as we celebrate this unexpected gift, we ask audiences to be aware that the difficulty of rising operational costs outpacing revenue growth remains. This one-time full-coverage donation has provided relief for The Nutcracker's live music during the 2025-26 Season ahead, but we continue to face financial obstacles in the coming year.

With this in mind, we encourage you to consider ways you can help sustain our artistry. Subscribing, donating, and encouraging others to do the same all make a noticeable impact on our organization. It is your most generous and consistent support that stabilizes us through highs and lows so that we can remain your world-class Milwaukee Ballet for decades to come.

If you are so moved, we would deeply appreciate gifts made to our ongoing Season-End Appeal here. Every dollar makes a difference in keeping our art form thriving.

Please also trust that, despite current challenges, your Milwaukee Ballet is strong and resilient, with dedicated staff and thoughtful Board leadership propelling us forward. While certain elements of our operations may shift in order to sustain our company, after 55 years bringing the joy of ballet to this city, you can rely upon us to continue dancing well into the future.

On behalf of the entire Milwaukee Ballet Company—thank you. We hope to see you at The Nutcracker (and much more!) this season and beyond.