Celebrating the Season: Barrington Youth Dance Ensemble's 19th Annual Production of The Nutcracker

Barrington, IL, December 2013 –– The Barrington Youth Dance Ensemble (BYDE) performed its 19th annual production of The Nutcracker at the Richard C. Johnson Auditorium in the Barrington High School on December 6-8th.  Choreographed by Gregory Merriman and directed by BYDE’s Founder and Artistic Director Mary Brennan, more than 2,200 ballet enthusiasts delighted in one of the Barrington area’s most loved holiday traditions. This year’s performance boasted glittering sets and costumes, world-class dancing, and all the flair of a holiday spectacular. 

Set to the score of Tchaikovsky, the audience was lost in the story of Clara’s magical gift, an exciting battle between soldiers and mice, and the dreamy Land of Sweets. Acclaimed guest artists from National and Chicago regional dance companies including, River North Dance Chicago, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and The San Francisco Ballet performed lead soloist roles and were joined by 75 student dancers from BYDE, the Barrington Dance Academy and other local dance studios in the Northwest Chicago suburbs.

“The Barrington Youth Dance Ensemble’s Nutcracker performance is a Barrington holiday tradition. An annual must-see for children and adults alike. The choreography, the set, the music, and the costumes are sure to delight and prepare everyone for the holiday season. Thank you to all of the dancers, volunteers, donors, staff, and loyal audience members who made it another successful production,” says Mary Brennan, Founder and Artistic Director of BYDE.

BYDE is dedicated to preserving the art and integrity of high caliber classical ballet and dance for the enjoyment and cultural enrichment of Barrington and all Chicagoland residents. Students are coached by international dance artists, and are exposed to professional set, lighting, costume, and production crews during The Nutcracker and all performances

The Barrington Youth Dance Ensemble is celebrating 25 years of dancing.  Save the Date for BYDE 25th Anniversary Concert. The festivities will take place on June 13-14, 2014 in The Barrington High School Auditorium and feature excerpts from Swan Lake, original works by Winifred Haun, Eddy Ocampo, and Guillermo Leyva, and Mary Brennan’s L’Art des Enfants.

About BYDE

Barrington Youth Dance Ensemble (BYDE) is a 501©3  non-profit charitable arts organization that promotes artistic integrity, involvement, and awareness through exceptional dance training and performance in the Chicagoland area. For more information, please visit www.BYDE.org or call 847.382.6333. Follow us on Facebook.

Our Sponsors

The Nutcracker was made possible by: The Roberts Family Foundation, The Benson Foundation, The Sanfilippo Family Foundation, The Wamberg Family Charitable Fund, Rose Packing Company, Barrington Area Community Foundation, Barrington Junior Women’s Club, The Duchossois Family Foundation, The Target Corporation, Barrington Children’s Charities, The DEMAR Foundation. BYDE’s 2013 production of The Nutcracker is partially supported by a grant from The Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.