Iron City Circus Arts presents
The Nutcracker
Directed by:
Jenly Deiter & Kelsey Keller
Performed by:
Students and faculty from Iron City Circus Arts
Tonight, we invite you to the Stahlbaum’s house, where the family is busily preparing for their annual Christmas Eve Party. This year, Clara is feeling nostalgic. She has received a nutcracker doll from her favorite Uncle Drosselmeyer every year on Christmas Eve since she was a child. Now that she is grown, this year may be the last doll she receives. Perhaps it will be the most magical.
A Note from the Directors
Dear Friends,
Thank you for joining us for Pittsburgh’s very own circus Nutcracker! Growing up as dancers, we both loved the story of Clara as told through ballet. When I (Jenly) began my circus adventure in 2010, I dreamed of creating a circus version of the holiday classic, and thanks to the help of many wonderful people, we brought that vision to life! This year, the first circus Nutcracker since 2019, we’ve returned with even more acrobatics, aerial antics, and circus mischief. We hope our modernized and circus-ified version of this classic tale leaves you feeling inspired and full of Christmas joy.
Many thanks, first, to the talented aerialists, acrobats, choreographers, dancers, and movers who have devoted many hours and much energy to realizing this vision.
Thank you also to:
Our original costumers, Joanna Becker and Kristin McLain; our 2026 seamstresses, Angela Anderson, Jenly Deiter, Lexi Ferguson, Lena Fritsch, Leah Klocko, Amrit Moore and Nikki Lesinkski; The original team tree, Janet Peters, Amrit Moore, Kellie McKillop, Lindsay Surmacz, Stephanie Marasti-Georg, Nicole Batestilli Angela Merlino, Ziggy Sheynin, Terri Ferguson; Website & graphic design mistresses, Liz Seip and Kate Lundy; Stage director Andrea Weinstein; Assistant stage director Elizabeth Crummy; our tech booth: Autumn Chan, Juergen Fritsch, and Ted Larsen; Youth Director Ziggy Sheynin; and last but not least, thank you to our neighbors Velum Fermentation for providing festive libations for the show!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays,
Jenly & Kelsey
Cast and Crew
(in order of appearance)
Act I
Herr Stahlbaum: Andy Hickly
Frau Stahlbaum: Janet Peters
Clara Stahlbaum: Zephy Fleenor
Fritz Stahlbaum: Lorelai Billiter
The Stahlbaum House Maid: Kelsey Keller
Party Guests: Elizabeth Crummy, Isabella Demyan, Gracie Foster, Emily Hendrickson, Shannon Jones, Piper Keller, Miriam Parent, Louise Schultz, Marlena Renée Shea, Cara Stewart, Adalyn Trax, Andrea Weinstein, Skylar Weinstein, Addie Williams
Professor Drosselmeyer: Ayne Terceira
Toy Soldiers: Djuna Gulliver, Stephanie Geletko
Toy Doll: Amrit Moore
Mice: Sarah Moslen, Shelby Shingle
Rat Queen: Angela Anderson
The Nutcracker: Tim Verstynen
The Soldiers: Elyse Kardos, Meghan Strickhouser
Snow Queen: Sarah Moslen
Snowflakes: Jenly Deiter, Lexi Ferguson, Lena Fritsch, Nikki Lesinkski, Angela Merlino, Kelsey Walls
Act II
Sweet Attendants: Elizabeth Crummy, Isabella Demyan, Emily Hendrickson, Shannon Jones, Louise Schultz, Marlena Renée Shea, Cara Stewart, Andrea Weinstein
Hot Chocolate Aerialists: Lexi Ferguson, Nikki Lesinkski, Moriah Moldanado
Coffee Aerialists: Angela Anderson, Lena Fritsch, Kelsey Walls
Tea Aerialists: Stephanie Geletko, Shelby Shingle
Candy Cane Aerialists: Djuna Gulliver, Elyse Kardos, Angela Merlino, Emily Murphy, Emma Patarcity, Meghan Strighhouser
Marzipan Aerialist: Justice Williams
Mother Ginger: Ayne Terceira
Mother Ginger’s Bonbons: Gracie Foster, Piper Keller, Miriam Parent, Adalyn Trax, Skylar Weinstein, Addie Williams
Sugar Plum Fairies: Jenly Deiter, Sarah Moslen
Scenes and Music
The music is all from or inspired by the following soundtrack of Tchaikovsky’s originals: George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker – Music From the Original Soundtrack. Tchaikovsky/David Zinman – Conductor; New York City Ballet Orchestra. Released December 6, 2005, Label: Nonesuch/WBR, Copyright: 2005 Rhino Entertainment
ACT I
Scene 1: The Stahlbaum Home 🏠
A CHRISTMAS EVE PARTY
🎊
Behind the Scenes
Choreographers:
Performers:
Lorelai Billiter, Zephy Fleenor, Andy Hickly, Kelsey Keller, Janet Peters
Music:
“Overture”
The Guests’ Arrival
Choreographer:
Performers:
Music:
“Act I: Marie and Fritz Awake / Guests Arrive / Unveiling of the Christmas Tree”
Professor Drosselmeyer’s Arrival
Choreographer:
Performer:
Music:
“Act I: Gifts / Herr Drosselmeier’s Arrival with his Nephew / Toy Dolls / Toy Soldier”
The Gifts: The Toy Soldiers and The Doll
Choreographers:
Djuna Gulliver, Stephanie Geletko, Amrit Moore
Performers:
Djuna Gulliver, Stephanie Geletko, Amrit Moore
Music:
“Act I: The March" and "Act I: Gifts / Herr Drosselmeier’s Arrival with his Nephew / Toy Dolls / Toy Soldier”
The Gifts: The Nutcracker
Choreographer:
Performer:
Music:
“Act I: Herr Drosselmeier’s Gifts: Hobby Hourse, The Nutcracker”
INTO THE NIGHT
🌙⭐️
Clara’s Dream
Choreographers:
Sarah Moslen, Shelby Shingle, Jenly Deiter, Kelsey Keller
Performers:
Music:
“Act I: Marie’s Dream”
The Battle
Choreographers:
Performers:
Angela Anderson, Elyse Kardos, Sarah Moslen, Shelby Shingle, Meghan Strickhouser, Tim Verstynen
Music:
“Act I: The Battle”
🌳 Scene 2: A Pine Forest 🌳
JOURNEY TO THE NUTCRACKER KINGDOM
🧭
The Departure
Choreographer:
Jenly Deiter with participation of the performers
Performers:
Music:
“Act I: Nutcracker and Marie Depart for the Pine Forest”
Waltz of the Snowflakes
Choreographers:
Performers:
Jenly Deiter, Lexi Ferguson, Lena Fritsch, Nikki Lesinkski, Angela Merlino, Kelsey Walls
Music:
“Act I: Waltz of the Snowflakes” with additions by Jordan Kolar
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
INTERMISSION
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
ACT II
Scene 1: The Nutcracker Kingdom 🏰
THE LAND OF SWEETS
🍭🍬
The Welcome
Choreographers:
Jenly Deiter, Kelsey Keller, Tim Verstynen
Performers:
Music:
“Clock” by Jordan Kolar and Reuel
Hot Chocolate
Choreographers:
Lexi Ferguson, Nikki Lesinkski, Moriah Moldanado
Performers:
Lexi Ferguson, Nikki Lesinkski, Moriah Moldanado
Music:
“Act II: Hot Chocolate” re-imagined by Roscoe Wikki and TJ Harris (scheme god beats)
Coffee
Choreographer:
Performers:
Angela Anderson, Lena Fritsch, Kelsey Walls
Music:
“Act II: Coffee” re-imagined by Jordan Kolar
Tea
Choreographers:
Shelby Shingle, Stephanie Geletko
Performers:
Stephanie Geletko, Shelby Shingle
Music:
“Act II: Tea” re-imagined by Jordan Kolar
Candy Canes
Choreographer:
Performers:
Djuna Gulliver, Angela Merlino, Emma Patarcity, Elyse Kardos, Penelope Murphy, Meghan Strickhouser
Music:
“Act II: Candy Cane” re-imagined by Jordan Kolar
Marzipan
Choreographer:
Performer:
Music:
“Act II: Marzipan” re-imagined by Jordan Kolar
Mother Ginger & Her Bonbons
Choreographer:
Performers:
Music:
“Act II: Mother Ginger and her Polichinelles“ re-imagined by Roscoe Wikki and TJ Harris (scheme god beats)
Sugar Plum Fairies
Choreographers:
Performers:
Music:
“Act II: Sugarplum Fairy and Cavalier Pas de Deux” re-imagined by Roscoe Wikki and TJ Harris (scheme god beats)
Apotheosis/Finale
Choreographers:
Performers:
Act II Cast
Music:
“Act II: Waltz of the Flowers” re-imagined by Jordan Kolar
About ICCA and ICA
About Iron City Circus Arts
Iron City Circus Arts (ICCA) is a small, women-owned business in the heart of Pittsburgh’s South Side. They are a school that teaches circus arts as a movement that fosters community, artistry, fitness, and joy in anyone adventurous enough to give it a try. In the former brewhouse facility, ICCA offers classes for all ages and levels as well as student showcases and in-house productions. Their space is also available as an event venue.
Visit www.ironcitycircusarts.com or check us out on IG @ironcitycircusarts to learn more. Check out our Classes page to sign-up for a class!
About Iron City Aerialists
ICCA is also home to Iron City Aerial (ICA), a professional performance troupe based out of Pittsburgh. Under the direction of local aerial artists and Iron City Circus Arts owners Kelsey Keller and Jenly Deiter, ICA offers breathtaking performances on aerial silks, hoop, lollipop, and more for any event or venue. Contact ICA at info@ironcityaerial.com or @iron.city.aerial on IG to customize the perfect entertainment for your event and venue.