The Baltimore School for the Arts has performed “The Nutcracker” every holiday season for the last four decades. The historic arts high school sets this holiday classic in the Mount Vernon neighborhood. 

These photos, shot by Baltimore School for the Arts students Rose Jean-Gilles and Lotus Pryor, feature images taken during show rehearsals and performances. 

Artist Amy Hall Garner choreographed the show, which ran from December 6 through the 14. 

Baltimore School for the Arts students performed alongside younger dancers from TWIGS, a free after school program for students in the second through the eighth grades.

A dancer with her back to the camera. Red stage curtains open in the distance.
The Baltimore School for The Arts set this year’s version of The Nutcracker in the Mount Vernon Neighborhood. The school has performed the Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky ballet for over 40 years. Photo credit: Lotus Pryor.
A student smiles at the camera from the stage. Other students stand in the background.
Baltimore School For the Arts and TWIGS students wait in the wings during a rehersal of the school’s annual Nutcracker performance. Credit: Rose Jean-Gilles.
The Rat King dances while he fights The Nutcracker.
Photo credit: Lotus Pryor.
Students dressed as soldiers wait backstage during rehearsal for The Nutcracker. You can see their shoulders and plumed top hats.
Baltimore School For the Arts and TWIGS students wait in the wings during a rehersal of the school’s annual Nutcracker performance. Credit: Rose Jean-Gilles.
A dancer strikes a pose as snow falls on stage.
Dance Valentina Flores-Briggs as the Snow Princess in the Baltimore School for The Arts’ production of The Nutcracker. Photo credit: Lotus Pryor.
Costumes hang on a rack.
Sparkling rainbow sequins adorn the ‘fireworks’ costumes, hanging waiting to be worn in the dressing room at Baltimore School for the Arts. Credit: Rose Jean-Gilles.
Dancers on stage dressed all in white.
Photo credit: Lotus Pryor.
Dancers on stage dressed in black, white, and red.
Photo credit: Lotus Pryor.
A photo of a sketch of a costume.
Sketch and fabric swatches for the Snow Prince costume were made by stage design senior Isabel. Credit: Rose Jean-Gilles.
Dancers strike a pose on stage.
Photo credit: Lotus Pryor.
Dancers strike a pose on stage.
Batimore School for the Arts dance students perform on the stage for the annual performance of Nutcracker. Photo credit: Rose Jean-Gilles.
Photo credit: Lotus Pryor.
Three adults look off into the distance.
Dance teachers, Samantha Christensen, Amy Hall Garner and Iris Andersen direct students from the audience during the dress rehearsal of Nutcracker. Credit: Rose Jean-Gilles.