"Nutcracker" Social Media Dance Challenge

Performances

"Nutcracker" Social Media Dance Challenge

The 2021 challenge has ended, but we encourage you to continue sharing your "Nutcracker" dance videos on social media as we celebrate the return of this magical ballet.

Beloved characters from "The Nutcracker" have a challenge for you: make a video re-creating one of their holiday-inspired dances. Then, share it on TikTok or Instagram Reels with the hashtags #UNCSAnutcracker and #nutz for an opportunity to win tickets to this year's production! The challenge runs Nov. 1 through Nov. 29, with a winner announced each week. Winners will receive their choice of two (2) individual tickets to either the Dec. 15 or 16 evening performance or one (1) household ticket to the "Nutcracker" On-Demand Experience.

Choose from a sweet and simple routine from Clara and her Nutcracker Prince, or a fun and flexible dance from two of our favorite mice! Watch their original videos below, then scroll down for instructions to enter the challenge:

Choreographed by Emma LeBlanc and Majerle Loy.
Danced by Daria Proknitski and Julian Pecoraro.

Choreographed and danced by
Stephen Gunter and Karl Pil.

How to enter the challenge

STEP 1: Watch the videos above, and select one to re-create. Solo videos are encouraged! You do not need a partner to enter the challenge.

STEP 2: Film your video using a cell phone (make sure it's in a vertical orientation). Have fun, and be creative with costumes and props. You can use our original "Nutcracker" audio (TikTok instructions; Reels instructions) or use your own. See selection criteria below, under "Review of entries."

STEP 3: Publish your video to either TikTok or Instagram Reels. Your caption must include the hashtags #UNCSAnutcracker and #nutz, and you must also tag the UNCSA School of Dance account (@UNCSAdance). Entries without these hashtags and account tag will not be considered. Your TikTok/Instagram account must be public for your entry to be reviewed. By entering the challenge, you agree that you have read the terms and conditions below.

Review of entries

All entries will be judged by a panel of UNCSA School of Dance students and the Dean of Dance. Judges will use the following categories to select winners: execution, originality and creativity, character and personality, and style.

Announcement of winners

One winner will be announced each week of the challenge, on the following dates: November 8, November 15, November 22, November 29. Announcements will be made on the UNCSA School of Dance TikTok and Instagram accounts, and on this webpage before 1 p.m. (ET) on each announcement date.

Week 1 winner: Claire Thompson (@clairifications_ on TikTok) is our week 1 winner!
Week 2 winner: Kelly McCallum (@old_enough_to_be_president on Instagram) is our week 2 winner!
Week 3 winner: @dancerains on TikTok is our week 3 winner!
Week 4 winner: @jaexoffivial on TikTok is our week 4 winner!
Week 5 winner: Jacob Miller (@acobja on TikTok) is our week 5 winner!

Complete Contest Rules

Entry Period: Entries will be collected beginning Monday, November 1, 2021, at 10 a.m. (ET) until Friday, November 26, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. (ET). Entry period has been extended one week, with a final winner announced on December 6.

Submissions: A complete submission must include a video and caption that includes hashtags #UNCSAnutcracker and #nutz, along with a tag to the UNCSA School of Dance account (@UNCSAdance). Your video must be posted to a public TikTok or Instagram account during the entry period. Multiple submissions are allowed. By submitting a video, you give University of North Carolina School of the Arts permission to share your partial or full work on social media, on UNCSA.edu and in paid digital advertising, including your name and your social media account.

Eligibility: This challenge is open to entrants worldwide. UNCSA faculty, staff and students are not eligible to win. Minors must have consent of a parent/guardian to publish videos.

Selection: Eligible entries will be judged by a panel of UNCSA School of Dance students and the Dean of Dance, Endalyn Taylor. Judges will use the following categories to select winners: execution, originality and creativity, character and personality, and style. All videos submitted by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on a Friday are eligible to be judged for the following Monday's announcement (Example: Any eligible video submitted by Friday, November 12, at 11:59 p.m. (ET) will be judged for the Monday, November 15, announcement.)

Winner: The "winner" is defined as the individual who owns the TikTok/Instagram account that publishes the winning video. In a video with multiple participants, only the TikTok/Instagram account owner is awarded the prize.

Announcement: Winners will be announced on the following dates — November 8, November 15, November 22, November 29 — before 1 p.m. (ET). Announcements will be made on the UNCSA Dance TikTok and Instagram accounts, as well as on this webpage, then winners will be privately messaged through their social media account to coordinate prize redemption. Entry period has been extended one week, with a final winner announced on December 6.

Prize: A total of four (4) winners will be announced during the challenge. Winners will select a prize of two (2) tickets to a performance at the Stevens Center or one (1) household ticket to "The Nutcracker" On-Demand Experience. If in-person prize is redeemed, winner will be assigned two (2) tickets for the Wednesday, December 15, or Thursday, December 16, evening shows of "The Nutcracker." Seats will be in ticketing Zone 2, with a value of $110. Tickets cannot be refunded or transferred to other shows or seats. If virtual prize is redeemed, winner will be assigned one (1) household ticket for “The Nutcracker” On-Demand Experience, valued at $75.

This challenge is managed by University of North Carolina School of the Arts. It is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with TikTok or Instagram.

Challenge Winners

WEEK 1: @clairifications_

@clairifications_
just two girls that love the Nutcracker and Christmas ! 🎄#UNCSAnutcracker #nutz @remy.in.raleighwood @uncsadance
♬ original sound - uncsadance

WEEK 2: @old_enough_to_be_president

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kelly McCallum (@old_enough_to_be_president)

WEEK 3: @dancerains

@dancerains
#uncsa #uncsadance #uncsanutcrakcer #uncsanutcracker2021 #nutz #hopefulfuturedancingpickle @uncsadance
♬ original sound - dancerains

WEEK 4: @jaexoffivial

@jaexoffivial @uncsadance #uncsanutcracker #nutz ♬ original sound - uncsadance