Nutcracker Donation

For 59 magical years, San Jose Dance Theatre (SJDT) has brought the timeless beauty of The Nutcracker to life, creating a cherished holiday tradition for families across Silicon Valley. Since 1965, generations of dancers, families, and audience members have made The Nutcracker a part of their lives, celebrating its elegance, joy, and the enchantment of the holiday season.
As we approach our 60th anniversary, we find ourselves reflecting on the legacy left by our founders, Paul E. Curtis and Shawn Stuart, and their unwavering vision for this incredible production. It is with immense pride that we continue to uphold their original choreography and artistic integrity, preserving the magic that has captivated audiences for nearly six decades. Now, we are looking ahead-both to honor our history and to ensure that The Nutcracker remains a beloved tradition for future generations of dancers and audiences alike.
But, we need your help to continue this legacy and make it to the 60th jubilee. As a nonprofit organization, the financial challenges we face in producing a show of this caliber-especially amid rising costs and recovering from the effects of the pandemic-are substantial. This year, the cost of our theater rental alone has risen from $161,000 to $175,000, with an additional $44,000 needed for our live orchestra and $24,000 for our guest artists. Despite these challenges, we are committed to maintaining the high-quality production that our community has come to love and expect.
To ensure The Nutcracker continues to inspire and delight for years to come, we have launched a special fundraising campaign. Your generous donation will directly support the costs of this year's production and help us reach the monumental milestone of our 60th Nutcracker jubilee. By contributing, you will not only help us honor the legacy of our founders but also secure the future of this extraordinary production for the next generation of dancers and audiences.
Here’s how your donation can make an impact:
Sustaining Tradition: Your support will help us uphold the artistic quality and integrity of The Nutcracker, from the stunning costumes and sets to the live orchestra that brings Tchaikovsky’s beloved score to life.
Preserving History for Future Generations: With your contribution, we can continue to pass down our rich traditions and offer young dancers the opportunity to take the stage in this iconic production, just as countless students have done over the past five decades.
Celebrating 60 Years of Magic: Your donation will help us create a truly spectacular 60th anniversary production-an event that will not only honor our founders and their vision but also celebrate the legacy they’ve left behind for our community.
Please join us in making the 59th and 60th Nutcracker productions extraordinary and in securing the future of San Jose Dance Theatre for the next generation. With your help, we can continue to inspire wonder, joy, and lasting memories through the beauty of ballet.
Thank you for being a vital part of our Nutcracker family.
San Jose Dance Theatre is a registered 501(c)(3) charity that promotes the positive impact of dance in Silicon Valley through accessible performances, excellent training, creative outreach, and collaboration across the arts. Tax ID: #94-2233859