Photos by Michelle Findlay
Monterey Peninsula Ballet Theatre (MPBT), a local nonprofit hosted at The Dance Center in Carmelby-the-Sea, presented its third Nutcracker at the Sunset Center in December with three sold-out shows and a cast of 152 local performers.
In keeping with the organization’s mission is to “foster the passion and development of local youth through the performing arts, where talents and life skills may grow in an inspiring and nurturing environment,” students from Greenfield, Soledad, and Salinas were bused in to see the full-length ballet, experience an open curtain, and to learn about careers outside of performing in theater arts.
MPBT, co-founded by Carmel’s The Dance Center co-owners Laura Jeselnick and Tia Brown Rosenblum, is artistically directed by Tia Brown. The local ballet has also partnered with other local nonprofits for community and arts outreach and education, including Community Partnership for Youth (CPY), Monterey County Youth Museum (My Museum), Rancho Cielo, Jacob’s Heart, and AIM Youth Mental Health.
MPBT was awarded the 2018 Excellence in Dance, Music, and Art by the Carmel Chamber of Commerce.
