Page 37 - South Mississippi Living - November, 2026

Clara still dreams of the Nutcracker. The Sugar
Plum Fairy still waits in the Land of Sweets. But
this holiday season, the Southern Arts Alliance
is giving the cherished holiday ballet a distinctly
South Mississippi flair.
Think plaid dresses, big bows, magnolias, peach
iced tea, and even pusharatas—familiar Southern
touches woven into the elegance and tradition of
“The Nutcracker.”
“We wanted to do something a little different,”
said Lisa Hendrickson, president and artistic
director of the Southern Arts Alliance. “I started
thinking, what could a Southern Nutcracker be
without taking away from the traditional ballet?”
The answer became “A Southern Nutcracker,”
the young nonprofit performing arts
organization’s signature holiday production. The
show returns Nov. 28 for performances at 2 and
7 p.m. at Studio A inside IP Casino Resort Spa in
Biloxi.
But Clara kicks off the holiday festivities a few
weeks early.
On November 7, Southern Arts Alliance will
host Clara’s Southern Nutcracker Party: An
Afternoon in the Land of Sweets at 2 p.m. at the
Ocean Springs Civic Center. The family-friendly
event will feature a mini performance, sweet
treats, crafts and activities, photo opportunities,
a chance to meet Clara and her friends, a special
visit from Santa, and a Toys for Tots collection.
The party gives families an early look into the
whimsical world audiences will see fully brought
to life on stage later in the month.
For Hendrickson, the goal has always been
to preserve the recognizable beauty of “The
Nutcracker” while making the production feel at
home on the Gulf Coast.
Clara wears plaid. The traditional tea variation
becomes peach iced tea. Magnolias take the place
of more familiar flowers, while other Southern-
inspired details are sprinkled throughout Clara’s
journey.
Equally important, Hendrickson emphasized, is
the teamwork.
About 120 performers are involved this year,
representing 14 dance schools and communities
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living | www.smliving.net from the Coast, Mobile, and Hattiesburg.
Because the Southern Arts Alliance operates
independently rather than through a single dance
studio, performers from across the region can
come together for the production.
This approach has also created opportunities
for dancers with different strengths and
backgrounds. The snow scene, for instance,
incorporates lyrical and contemporary dance
styles, offering performers outside traditional
ballet other ways to participate while the overall
production stays rooted in classical technique.
Young dancers also have the chance to share
the stage with pre-professional and professional
artists. This year’s performances will feature
guest dancers Mari Takayama as the Sugar
Plum Fairy, Louis DeFelice as Cavalier, Olivia
Townsend as Clara, and Pace Litton as the
Nutcracker.
Live music will add another layer to the
production, with the Biloxi Civic Orchestra and a
live choir accompanying the dancers.
Behind the scenes, teachers, costume makers,
families, and volunteers have spent months
preparing costumes, rehearsing, and managing
production details—all part of building what
Hendrickson hopes will become a lasting holiday
tradition on the Coast.
While the Southern Arts Alliance plans to grow
into other performing arts projects, Hendrickson
said “A Southern Nutcracker” will remain its
flagship production.
And with magnolias blooming, peach iced tea
awaiting in the Land of Sweets, and performers
from across the Coast sharing one stage, Clara’s
Christmas dream is beginning to feel very much
at home in South Mississippi.
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