Tradition is an essential component of the Cumberland County Playhouse. Each year the Playhouse offers the tradition of a Christmas show and every two or three years the Playhouse tradition includes hosting the holiday classic production of the Nutcracker Ballet.

This year, for the fifth Nutcracker production at CCP, the Playhouse will pair a Russian professional dancer, Evgueny Tourdiev, as The Prince, and advanced dance student, Aven Chadwell, who has trained with native Russian dancers Eldar Valiev and Lilia Valieva in the Playhouse Dance Education program, as Princess Clara.

The Playhouse dancer directors, Eldar and Lilia, who have recently become proud American citizens, trained at the original home of the first Nutcracker, The Kirov Ballet in St. Petersburg, Russia, at the Vaganova Academy.

The Nutcracker and the Playhouse’s entire Education Program is sponsored by Tracey and Jeff Hughes and Hughes Real Estate Services.

A senior at Stone Memorial High School, Chadwell has trained in dance at CCP for 11 years. She is the daughter of Kenneth and Carol Ann Chadwell.

"This is like a dream come true for me to dance pincess," Chadwell said.

In previous Nutcrackers, Chadwell danced in the party scene, the Pas de Trois, Sowflake Dance and Waltz of the Flowers. She played Young Clara in the 2004 CCP Nutcracker.

“The thrill of dancing solo changed me forever. I went on to be a snow soloist, waltz soloist, Arabian soloist and young matron," Chadwell said.

She is in the advanced level of ballet, pointe, modern, tap and jazz at CCP, and teaches pre-ballet, intro to tap and modern dance classes. She recently attended a summer intensive at the Nashville School of Ballet and has trained in New York.

Tourdiev, appearing as The Prince, trained at the Perm Academy of Ballet and the Samara State Academy in Samara, Russia. Tourdiev is currently a teacher/choreographer in the department of dance at the University of South Carolina. He performs as a guest artist with dance companies and schools throughout the United States.

Tourdiev has lived in the USA since 2001, has won two National Ballet Competitions and has participated in several International Ballet competitions. He has danced this role numerous time, including at the Playhouse in 2006, and has performed major roles in Giselle, Swan Lake, Cinderella, Don Quixote, Romeo and Juliet, Sleeping Beauty and many others.

Chadwell said, "It is such an honor to get to dance with such a professional as Evgueny Tourdiev. It is the chance of a lifetime to dance with someone of his caliber at my young age."

The CCP’s Nutcracker is rooted in the great Russian tradition of composer

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and St. Petersburg's Kirov Ballet, where the Nutcracker was born. Eldar Valiev and his wife, Lilia Valieva, grew up and trained at the Kirov. They assure that CCP’s Nutcracker incorporates the history, beauty, joy, laughter and tradition of the classic Christmas tale.

"We are pleased to have and offer this to the community. This is not just for the parents of the students performing in the ballet, but for all who want to see a quality performance of the Nutcracker," Valiev said.

Chadwell also appreciates the dance program offered at CCP.

"Mr. Eldar and Mrs. Lilia are two of the most respected people in the dance world. They are my teachers, and mentors. My family moved to Crossville the same year they did. I have grown up with them. I very much feel like Mr. Eldar and Mrs. Lilia are my second set of parents. They provide me with superior training as well as life lessons and guidance. I am eternally grateful for everything they have taught me. They are such a blessing not only to myself, but the Cumberland County Playhouse and the community," Chadwell said.

The Playhouse offers top-notch dance classes in ballet, pointe, jazz, tap and modern styles and many students at various levels of performance will also be participating in the Playhouse's Nutcracker Ballet production.

"There are 100 children or students involved in this production. Our program is growing more and more here. They are working hard and have been working on this production since September. We are bringing it all together. We want to thank all who are involved in helping make this possible. All the parents and volunteers helping with costumes and backstage help — we couldn't do it without everyone coming together. We are so very proud of our program, this show, and all the students who are working in a fully professional context and production.”

The program will feature many dancers from beginners to other advanced students who have trained at the Playhouse for years.

The scenic production is by nationally prominent designer Frank Ludwig, executed in the theater’s professional shops with supervision by Tech Director John Paryka. Costumes are by Tara Johnson with coordination and additional costumes by Carol Ann Chadwell, mother of Aven and first vice chair of the Playhouse board of directors.

Nutcracker performances at the Playhouse will be on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 5, at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.; Saturday, Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 7 at 2:30 p.m.; and Monday, Dec. 8, at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. The show is sponsored by Hughes Real Estate Services, Playhouse Education sponsor.

To purchase tickets or for more information, call the Cumberland County Playhouse box office at (931) 484-5000.