Each year, the Jefferson Parish Performing Arts Society puts on a show-stopping production of The Nutcracker by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky based on the book by E. T. A. Hoffmann. JPAS invited families to take part in this tradition by offering them a chance to “travel to the Land of Sweets with Clara as she befriends a nutcracker who comes to life on Christmas Eve to wage a battle against the evil Mouse King.”

The event is a collaboration between Jefferson Ballet Theatre and JPAS.

Forging forward despite limitations imposed by COVID-19, this year’s iteration of the Jefferson Parish tradition was supported by a host of Jesuit alumni and students. The first major live performing arts event of this scale in Jefferson Parish since March 2020, the production was directed by Jesuit alumnus Kenny Beck ’79, who has often lent his talents to the Jesuit Philelectic Society as a former member of the student group.

The following members of the Jesuit community contributed their time and talent to make the event possible.

Carlo Barrera ’20 – Performer

Kenny Beck ’79 – Director/Choreographer

Bo Bell ’18 – Performer

Talon Comeaux ’18 – Performer

D.J. Galiano ’07 – Lighting/Sound Design

Stephen Kernion ’01 – Performer

Carter Morris, Current Senior – Follow Spot Operator

David Walker ’20 – Performer

The following trailer features scenes from the 2019 performance of The Nutcracker at JPAS. Please note that all performances for this year are already sold out.