UNC-TV to broadcast all new "The Nutcracker" film created by UNCSA beginning Dec. 22

“The Nutcracker,” presented by the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), will air on UNC-TV Public Media North Carolina beginning Dec. 22 and repeating five times on UNC-TV, the North Carolina Channel and the Explorer Channel, as well as on UNC-TV’s streaming platform. (See complete schedule below or visit unctv.org/schedule for more information). The hourlong special will include both the all-new 30-minute film as well as behind-the-scenes features and interviews.

“The Nutcracker” film will also be shown in a special presentation at RED Cinemas in Greensboro (1305 Battleground Ave.). For information, please visit www.redcinemas.com.

This reimagined ‘Nutcracker’ is an example of how our unique arts conservatory is continuing to bring art and creative expression into the world at a time when it is so desperately needed. We are so honored that UNC-TV and RED Cinemas will help share this magical new film during the holiday season, and we hope viewers will enjoy it as much as our students and faculty enjoyed bringing it to life.

Chancellor Brian Cole

"This semester at UNCSA has been like no other in our history,” said Chancellor Brian Cole. “This reimagined ‘Nutcracker’ is an example of how our unique arts conservatory is continuing to bring art and creative expression into the world at a time when it is so desperately needed. We are so honored that UNC-TV and RED Cinemas will help share this magical new film during the holiday season, and we hope viewers will enjoy it as much as our students and faculty enjoyed bringing it to life.”

Alumnus Anthony Santos of the Dance Theater of Harlem dances the newly expanded role of Drosselmeyer in the holiday family favorite. Rosemary Harris, award-winning actor and widow of UNCSA founder John Ehle, narrates while a cast of student dancers interprets the classic tale with all-new choreography by Assistant Professor Ilya Kozadayev of the UNCSA School of Dance.

The timeless tale of “The Nutcracker” steps into the present with this historic UNCSA reimagining, conceived and created safely for the COVID-19 era. Leveraging the institution’s unique position as a conservatory with five nationally recognized arts schools, the classic work has been adapted specifically for film through the imagination and expertise of the schools of Dance, Design & Production, Filmmaking, and Music. Interim Dean Jared Redick of the School of Dance directs with Kozadayev while acclaimed conductor Karin Hendrickson conducts an abridged version of Tchaikovsky’s score performed by the UNCSA Symphony Orchestra, recorded on UNCSA’s film scoring stage in socially distanced sections and edited together by students and faculty in the film music composition program.

Visual effects created by the nationally ranked School of Filmmaking, under the direction of faculty member Bob Keen (“The Empire Strikes Back,” “Superman,” “Alien”), and with cinematography directed by faculty member Thomas Ackerman A.S.C. (“Beetlejuice,” “Christmas Vacation,” “Jumanji”) bring the story to life and create a magical world only possible on the screen.

Though the film is a cinematic reimagining, Redick said audiences will find favorite scenes and characters from the traditional stage production. “Through the battle between the Nutcracker Prince and the Mouse King, across the Land of the Snowflakes, and into the Sugar Plum Fairy’s Kingdom of the Sweets, viewers are transported through this boundless story of optimism and revelry,” he said.

UNCSA premiered the all new “Nutcracker” —  the 55th annual presentation of the beloved holiday tradition and the first-ever version for film — on Dec. 12 at an online benefit for student scholarships, and will release the film for free on demand beginning Dec. 17 on the UNCSA website, YouTube and Facebook. 

Broadcast Schedule

Visit unctv.org/schedule for more information and schedule changes.

PREMIERE: Tuesday, Dec. 22
8 p.m. on UNC-TV

Wednesday, Dec. 23
2 a.m. on UNC-TV
9 p.m. on the NC Channel

Thursday, Dec. 24
2 a.m. on the NC Channel
10 a.m. on the NC Channel
7 p.m. on the Explorer Channel
9 p.m. on UNC-TV

Friday Dec. 25
2:30 a.m. on UNC-TV

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