IN THE SPOTLIGHT

‘Cascanueces’

WHAT: Flamenco del Sol dance company puts a rhythmic twist on perennial holiday favorite “The Nutcracker” — “Cascanueces” in Spanish — the story of a little girl’s adventures in a fairytale land on Christmas Eve. In this version, the audience joins Clarita on an enchanted expedition through some of sunny Spain’s most iconic places. The production uses Tchaikovsky’s classic score — but also expect snapping fans and clicking castanets.
WHEN: Nov. 29-30
WHERE: Pugh Theater at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando.
INFO: drphillipscenter.org or flamencodelsol.org

YOUR SEASON PLANNER

Schedules are subject to change, so always double-check before heading to an event.

CENTRAL FLORIDA BALLET

The organization, which hosts the annual World Ballet Competition, performs in Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando. The World Ballet Competition & All Stars of Dance venue has not yet been confirmed. More information: centralfloridaballet.com

A CHRISTMAS NUTCRACKER TALE: Nov. 21-22. Pyrotechnics, fiber-optic technology and twirling aerialists add to the pizazz of the classic holiday story of a little girl who visits a magical land.

WORLD BALLET COMPETITION: June 16-19, 2026. Watch more than 200 competitors from 25 countries in their daily performances as they vie for scholarships and cash prizes. An Olympics-style system reveals their scores from the five judges. It’s free to attend, though a $10 donation is suggested.

WORLD BALLET COMPETITION ALL-STARS PERFORMANCE FINALE: June 20, 2026. This one-night-only evening of dance stars competition winners and international guest performers.

CNC PRODUCTIONS

The company presents dance and other events at various locations. Information: Corsetsandcuties.com

THE AMATEUR CONTEST: Sept. 14 at The Abbey, 100 S. Eola Drive in Orlando. 10th installment of the showcase for amateurs to try the art of burlesque for the first time; the audience decides the winner.

DR. PHILLIPS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

See the Central Florida Ballet, Flamenco del Sol and Orlando Ballet listings for other dance events at the downtown arts center. The Dr. Phillips Center is at 445 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando. More information: drphillipscenter.org

ZAMPOÑA — WHISPER OF THE WINDS: Sept. 13. Young Wayra finds a magical zampoña, a traditional Andean wind instrument, which leads him on a mystical journey through ancestral music, dance and Andean spirits in this production from Raymi Dance School.

CINDERELLA: Oct. 22. The World Ballet’s 40 dancers from around the globe bring the fairy tale to life.

SARAH REICH — TAP INTO RHYTHM: Nov. 8. A leading figure in tap dancing, Reich incorporates her tapping with live instrumentation.

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY: Jan. 2, 2026. Classical Arts Entertainment presents the story, set to Tchaikovsky’s memorable score.

EMOTIONS DANCE

The professional contemporary-dance company, led by artistic director Larissa Humiston, performs at the ME Theatre, 1300 La Quinta Drive, No. 3, in Orlando. It plans to revive its Orlando Fringe Festival hit “7 Deadly Sins” in the spring of 2026, but details were not confirmed at press time. More information: 407-788-1659 or EmotionsDance.org

UNTOLD STORIES: Nov. 8-9. An exploration of the human experience, addressing themes of grief, addiction, and discrimination while highlighting courage, resilience, and hope.

ELEMENT EARTH: March 28-29, 2026. Contemporary dance and ballet blend to celebrate the natural beauty of our world while reflecting on our evolving relationship with it.

Emotions Dance is a Central Florida contemporary dance troupe. (Courtesy Emotions Dance)

FLAMENCO DEL SOL

The dance company celebrates the Spanish dance form. Performances are at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando or the Ritz Theater at 201 Magnolia Ave. in Sanford. More information: flamencodelsol.com

AIRE Y TIERRA: Sept. 27 at the Dr. Phillips Center. Experience the traditions of Spanish dance in this celebration of Spanish culture through movement, rhythm and story.

CASCANUECES: Nov. 29-30 at the Dr. Phillips Center. A flamenco-infused telling of “The Nutcracker.”

FLAMENCO DEL SOL SHOWCASE: May 31, 2026, at the Ritz Theater. Flamenco, classical and stylized Spanish dance

ORLANDO BALLET

Mainstage performances are at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando. More information: Orlandoballet.org

Mainstage

SWAN LAKE: Oct. 16-19. Guest choreographer Christopher Stowell directs the production of the classic ballet, with live music from the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra.

THE NUTCRACKER: Dec. 5-24. Artistic director Jorden Morris’s whimsical version of the perennial holiday favorite.

CARMEN: Feb. 12-15, 2026. Choreographer Kenneth Tindall’s interpretation of Bizet’s masterpiece.

BALANCHINE, GODDEN, GILL: March 26-29, 2026. A collection of George Balanchine’s “Allegro Brillante,”  Mark Godden’s “Angels in the Architecture” and Heath Gill’s “Confronting Genius.”

THE GREAT GATSBY: April 30-May 3, 2026. Jorden Morris’s interpretation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s tragic love story that takes place in the glamorous, roaring 1920s.

Orlando Ballet will revive Jorden Morris’s “The Great Gatsby,” pictured in its 2022 production, in the spring. (Courtesy Michael Cairns via Orlando Ballet)

Other events

UNCORKED: Sept. 25, 2025, and Jan. 15, 2026, and May 8, 2026, at Harriett’s Orlando Ballet Centre, 600. N Lake Formosa Drive in Orlando. “Uncorked” evenings provide a relaxed, behind-the-scenes look at ballet and the creative process.

ORLANDO COMMUNITY ARTS

The organization presents its holiday show at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando. More information: clareandthechocolatenutcracker.com

CLARE AND THE CHOCOLATE NUTCRACKER: Nov. 22. The traditional “Nutcracker” gets an African-American twist from Beverly Page in this bold and multicultural reimagining that incorporates jazz, soul and contemporary music and dance.

RITZ THEATER

The theater, at 201 S. Magnolia Ave. in Sanford, hosts touring concerts, children’s productions, plays and other events. See other dance events at the theater under the Flamenco del Sol listing above. More information: 407-321-8111 or ritztheatersanford.com

SLEEPING BEAUTY: Sept. 19. We Call It Ballet presents a mix of ballet and lights in a glow-in-the-dark presentation of the fairy tale.

ORLANDO’S CARAVAN OF DANCERS: Nov. 8. Dancers Mohamed El Sayed, Melissa Gamal, Faell Rabelo, Amara Sayid and Zizi Zabaneh join Central Florida performers in a cultural exploration of Middle Eastern dance.

THE NUTTY NUTCRACKER: Dec. 12-13. Children from Xtreme Dance Studio perform a twist on the holiday tale to raise money for Base Camp Children’s Cancer Foundation, a local organization.

ROLLINS COLLEGE

Dance productions take place in the Annie Russell Theatre on the Rollins campus, 1000 Holt Ave. in Winter Park.

EXPRESSIONS DANCE CONCERT: Dec. 5-6. Tap, jazz, contemporary and more with student, faculty and guest choreographers directing more than 50 dancers. More information: rollins.edu/annie-russell-theatre/expressions-dance-concert/

VALENCIA COLLEGE

Performances take place at the Valencia College East Campus Performing Arts Center, 701 N. Econlockhatchee Trail in Orlando. More information: 407-582-2900 or valenciacollege.edu/arts

CHOREOGRAPHERS’ SHOWCASE: Nov. 7-8. A student choreography showcase.

4 IN MOTION: Jan. 10, 2026. The event includes dance performances by the Dr. Phillips High School Magnet Program, projectALCHEMY, Yow Dance and Valencia College’s Valencia Dance Theatre.

VALENCIA SPRING DANCE CONCERT: March 6-7, 2026.

VALENCIA DANCE SUMMER REPERTORY CONCERT: July 10-11, 2026.

— Listings compiled by Matthew J. Palm

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/08/27/orlando-sentinel-2025-26-arts-season-preview-dance/