The Heartbeat of a Holiday Tradition: The Story of Jacksonville’s Community Nutcracker

For more information or to purchase tickets www.jaxnutcracker.org

The Community Nutcracker is a holiday performance that blends artistry, volunteerism, and compassion into one enduring tradition. For more than three decades, this locally produced ballet has brought The Nutcracker’s timeless story to life while transforming its proceeds into tangible good for the community.

Its origin story reads like a Christmas fable. In 1991, five local dance directors, suddenly separated from a symphony partnership, stood together on a downtown street corner and refused to let their vision fade. “We left the office downtown in May of 1991,” recalls Founding Artistic Director Beth Marks, “and there on the street corner we decided we wanted to create a new Nutcracker production utilizing the newly renovated Florida Theatre as our home.” With each donating $100, they formed a nonprofit built entirely on passion and purpose. The first performance took the stage in 1992, what Marks calls “a true Christmas miracle.”
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From the beginning, the Community Nutcracker has stood apart. It’s one of the only nonprofit, volunteer-run Nutcrackers in Northeast Florida, created not just to perform but to give back. “The Leukemia Society was the first foundation to team with us,” says Marks. “Since 2014, Dreams Come True has been our partner and major benefactor. So many of their ‘Dreamers’ have fulfilled their dreams thanks to the Community Nutcracker.” Over the years, the production has donated nearly $1 million to local charities, an extraordinary achievement powered entirely by volunteers.

That spirit of generosity extends to the artistry itself. In the early years, sets were simple, built and painted by local artists like Virginia Fox, whose backdrops first appeared in Jacksonville’s 1972 Nutcracker benefiting the Children’s Museum (now MOSH). Today, audiences are transported by breathtaking production elements: a growing Christmas tree, swirling snow, and a dazzling Land of Sweets castle. “This timeless story, music, and dance continue to mesmerize and delight families,” says Marks.
Each December, more than 200 local dancers, from age 9 to adult, bring Clara’s world to life. “Auditions are open to everyone,” explains Crystal Ponder, 2025 President of the Community Nutcracker’s Board of Directors. “It’s a professional process, but the real magic is in the friendships and growth that happen along the way.”
Behind the scenes, hundreds of volunteers fuel the production’s heart. “It’s not just going to watch a show,” says Angie Kindler, 2025 Costume Mistress. “Knowing we’re helping kids achieve their dreams, that we’re part of something bigger than ourselves”.
More than 30 years later, what began with five choreographers and $500 has become a Jacksonville holiday tradition unlike any other. The Community Nutcracker continues to prove that when creativity meets compassion, magic truly follows, turning every pirouette, every note, and every snowfall into a celebration of community at its best.

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“It’s not just going to watch a show... Knowing we’re helping kids achieve their dreams, that we’re part of something bigger than ourselves”.


—Angie Kindler,
2025 Costume Mistress ​

Honoring Dr. George Trotter

Audiences knew him best as Drosselmeyer, the mysterious godfather whose gift sets The Nutcracker’s story in motion. With a twinkle in his eye and a commanding stage presence, Dr. George Trotter brought warmth, wonder, and gravitas to the role, leaving an indelible mark on the Community Nutcracker’s history. But Dr. Trotter’s legacy went far beyond the stage. He saw the Community Nutcracker as a gift to the community, a way to share the joy of live performance with everyone.
“When Dr. Trotter walked on stage as Drosselmeyer, you knew you were about to witness magic. He embodied the spirit of the show, part mystery, part generosity, and all heart.”


Former Cast Member
In his honor, the George Trotter Community Service Night Sponsorship continues his vision of accessibility and inclusion. This cherished evening invites local nonprofit organizations and families who might not otherwise experience live theater to enjoy the magic together—one of the most meaningful traditions of the season.
“George’s dream was to make The Nutcracker something for everyone. Community Service Night is the purest expression of that dream.”


Board Member
A highlight of the evening is the recognition of a Dreamer from Dreams Come True, Northeast Florida’s only locally based dream-granting nonprofit for children battling life-threatening illnesses. Each year, one child’s dream is celebrated on stage, an unforgettable moment of joy, hope, and unity shared by dancers and audience alike.
Through his artistry and compassion, Dr. Trotter captured the very essence of the Community Nutcracker: the joy of giving, the hope of the holidays, and the enduring power of community.