A Singapore First: The Nutcracker Returns — Reimagined for Our Time and Our Place
This December, Project ARIZE Dance presents The Nutcracker – MORE Than a Ballet, a landmark Singapore production that brings together dancers from multiple studios, cultural guest artists, and multidisciplinary choreographers to reimagine a beloved classic through a distinctly Singaporean artistic lens.
Instead of recreating tradition, this production asks a bold question:
What if The Nutcracker were told as a meeting of cultures, communities, and dance languages — a story that belongs to all of us?
The result is The Nutcracker – MORE Than a Ballet …. where Classical Ballet meets Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Demi-Character, Acrobatics, Hip Hop, and the movement vocabularies of Chinese, Indian, and Malay dance traditions.
This is not fusion for novelty’s sake.
It is a reflection of who we are.
A city where multiple traditions breathe side by side.
A stage where the next generation of dancers learn to rise together.
Featuring more than 70 dancers from some of Singapore’s most respected studios including Crestar School of Dance , Dance Thrilogy, Jitterbugs Swingapore, Lighthouse Dance, Stellar School of Dance and Taneo Dance Academy, performing alongside cultural guest artists including:
- Shahrin Johry - Trained in Bharathanatyam and Indonesian dance, he is widely respected for advancing Asian Fusion movement and dynamics in his practice.
- Tung Ka Wai - An interdisciplinary artist whose work emphasizes the beauty of diverse bodies and their unique movement vocabularies, challenging traditional ideas of bodily perfection in dance.
- Under The Bridge - This dance collective’s weaving together of diverse dance forms has been re-shaping local perceptions of traditional dance, and has inspired appreciation for cultural diversity amongst dancers and audiences.
- The Dance Ensemble of Singapore - One of Singapore’s longest-standing Chinese dance institutions, known for preserving and elevating traditional Chinese aesthetics.
- FKF x The Boys - A youth Hip Hop ensemble celebrated for raw performance presence, musicality, and unity in movement.
Each group contributes not only choreography, but heritage, perspective, and voice — intentionally honoured and given space.
International Artistic Leadership
This production is guided by internationally acclaimed choreographers whose work spans stage, screen, and global touring:
- Laura Webb (Australia) CREATIVE PRODUCER / DIRECTOR
Performer and educator with professional credits across Opera Australia, The Voice, X-Factor, So You Think You Can Dance Australia, The Man From Snowy River Arena Spectacular, Sydney Showboats, and national musical theatre touring productions. Her industry experience includes collaborations with Baz Luhrmann (The Great Gatsby) and Jeffery Walker (Dance Academy: The Movie); performance work alongside Jessie J, Kelly Rowland, and Brian McFadden.
- Amé Delves (Australia) CHOREOGRAPHER
Creative/Choreographic Director with 30 years’ experience directing large-scale performances for global luxury brands and entertainment houses. Credits include staging work for BVLGARI, Jean Paul Gaultier, Balmain, DISNEY, So You Think You Can Dance, Vogue, BMW, Nike, Tourism Australia, TEDx, Planet Hollywood Las Vegas, and A-list artists like George Michael, Lady Gaga, and Lily Allen. Her artistic direction has shaped high- impact shows across fashion weeks, arena spectacles, and major cultural events in Australia, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the US.
- Jason Winters (Australia & USA) CHOREOGRAPHER
His professional credits include work with Cirque du Soleil, Radio City Music Hall, Walt Disney World, and choreographic contributions for So You Think You Can Dance and the television series Dance Academy; danced with and assisted the legendary Mia Michaels, notably in her company RAW, performing at the Jazz Dance World Congress and New York Summer Dance Festival. As a visionary dance educator, he is the founder & creator of the Jason Winters Contemporary Syllabus taught in studios worldwide
- Rebecca Costantini, Josh Wadley, Shelyse Wadley (Australia)
CHOREOGRAPHERS
Up & coming choreographers recognised for their work as dance educators & outstanding performers in various different dance genres.
- Ben Montague (Australia)
Sydney-based Director of Photography and filmmaker Ben Montague is known for his cinematic eye and ability to capture movement with authenticity and depth. Through his production brand MonteeMadeIt, he has worked with Lady Gaga, Cotton On, Nude by Nature, Adore Beauty, and Universal Music.
Their involvement means that the dancers are not only performing, but training and creating at a globally professional standard.
Why This Matters
This production is part of a wider movement to:
- Present Singapore talent
- Expand pathways for dancers beyond exams and competitions
- Encourage large-scale, locally produced performance work
- Celebrate the cultural voices already present in our community
“This is about showing young dancers that their artistry belongs on a large, beautiful, professional stage — together,” shares Lim Ju Li, founder of Project ARIZE Dance “.. and celebrating the high quality of the talent & training we have here in Singapore.”
For families. For dancers. For courage. For the love of performing.
When
09 December, 18:30
10 December, 14:00 & 18:30.
Age
3+
Price
from: 30 SGD
Address
SingaporeNational Library — Drama Centre Theatre