Productions & Tickets
North Shore School of Dance produces a variety of shows every year to provide our dancers with a venue to display their growth, dedication, and performance qualities in formal and informal settings.
NSSD produces 6 shows including: The Nutcracker, The Peanut Cracker, Winter Showcase, Spring Performance Company Showcases, Pre-Dance Showcase/Spring Ballet & Spring Concerts of Dance
Overview of NSSD Productions
Spring Concert | Spring Ballet | Spring Company Showcase | Pre-Dance Showcase
The Nutcracker | The Peanut Cracker | Winter Company Showcase
Spring Concert of Dance
Performances:
Times:
North Shore Center for the Performing Arts
The annual Spring Concert of Dance is a wonderful performance opportunity for all Student Division dancers. This performance displays the dancers’ growth, which is a result of classroom discipline, and consistent proper training. Each dancer gains performance experience, which promotes a higher self esteem and confidence within themselves. The Spring Concert of Dance is an optional performance and is annually held at the end of the school year.
Spring Ballet:
Performances: Saturday, May 6th & Sunday, May 7th
Lake forest Academy, Lake Forest
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Our North Shore Ballet Theatre performance group produces a Spring Ballet perfect for all ages. Originating in 2010, NSSD has produced a short 1 act ballet to showcase the talented NSBT dancers. Ballet Theatre dancers are cast as various characters to perform a popular Children's Story. Past performances include Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Alice in Wonderland, and The Little Mermaid. The Spring Ballet has been featured in the Pre-Dance Showcase and NSSD’s Spring Concert.
Performance Company Spring Showcase
Performances: Sunday, April 23rd 2023
Gorton Community Center, Lake Forest, IL
Gorton Community
The Performance Company Spring Showcase serves to provide young dancers with performance opportunities that meet professional standards of artistic development, performance values and production qualities. Founded in 2008, the North Shore Repertory Dance Ensemble continues to integrate ballet, jazz and modern into its repertoire. Several “new works” and repertoire from each of the Ensemble groups are presented during this celebration of dance. This annual performance is popular within the community and clearly showcases the professionalism and hard work of all its dancers.
Pre-Dance Showcase
Performances: Saturday, May 6, 2023
Lake Forest Academy, Lake Forest, IL
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Our showcase for our Pre-Dance Division students (ages 2.5 - 6) is a very exciting, yet comfortable experience for our youngest dancers. It is an optional performance opportunity for all dancers enrolled in the 2nd session. This on-stage production gives dancers the opportunity to showcase what they have learned in an informal stage setting. Dancers are provided with simple costumes and headpieces. Our Pre-Dance Classes pair with our North Shore Ballet Theatre to present a classic Children's Story. Past productions include: "The Little Mermaid", "Little Red Riding Hood", & "Alice in Wonderland". These productions are fun and exciting for all; it will certainly put a smile on your face!
The Nutcracker
Performances: December 10 & 11, 2022
Children and adults have been fascinated with the tradition and fantasy of The Nutcracker for decades. Since 1989, North Shore School of Dance has been presenting its annual December production. Each year, our sold out productions include performing guest artists and dancers from the North Shore and surrounding suburbs. Over 75 dancers are cast, including students, adults, and professional dancers.
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This hour long ballet is appropriate for children of all ages and continues to be a family tradition on the North Shore. The NSSD’s production of the Nutcracker has been highlighted in the Holiday Shopping night by the Highland Park Alliance, and Ravinia and Highland Park’s Winter Wonderland.
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The NSSD’s Nutcracker is a giving Nutcracker. A portion of our proceeds have been donated to various organizations and charity groups over the years. In the years past, our cast has made goody bags and sent donations to our troops overseas, collected and donated items for Toys for Tots and Save-A-Pet in Grayslake, IL. We also offer a discount to the performance for all military personnel.

The Peanut Cracker
Performances: December 3, 2023
Pre-Dance Division students (ages 2.5 - 6) have the opportunity to help tell the story of a holiday favorite: The Nutcracker. We create a very comfortable experience for our youngest dancers and offer this as an optional performance opportunity for all dancers enrolled in the 1st session. This on-stage production gives dancers the opportunity to showcase what they have learned so far in class in an informal stage setting. Dancers are provided with simple costumes and a fun headpiece. These productions are colorful and fun for all; it will surely put you in the holiday spirit!
Winter Company Showcase
January 22, 2023 at 4:00pm
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This annual performance features our North Shore Dance Companies and North Shore Repertory Dance Ensemble. It is a great way to view all the different styles of dance on all different ages of our performance companies. This performance continues in the holiday traditions of Nutcracker, by giving back to the community.
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