Academy Registration
2026-2027
Class Enrollment is now open!
Important Dates
November 2 - Nutcracker Tickets Go On Sale
November 2-14 - Parent Observation
November 22 - Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Fundraiser
November 23-29 - Thanksgiving Break
December 19-20 - The Nutcracker Performances
December 21 - Jan 3 - Christmas Break
41st Annual The Nutcracker
Saturday, December 19 at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 20 at 2:00 p.m.
Artistic Director, Jared Mesa, leads the cast that brings the classic holiday ballet journeying to the Land of Sweets to life. The cast includes over 125 local children and adults, this year’s production also welcomes professional dancers Whitney Woods as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Casey Kelley as her Cavalier, both professional dancers with American Midwest Ballet in Omaha, Nebraska. The Sugar Plum Fairy, the benevolent ruler of the Kingdom of Sweets, greets Clara and the Nutcracker Prince upon their entry during Act II of the ballet. She and her Cavalier perform the grand pas de deux, the culmination of this holiday ballet. The Nutcracker proves to be a magical event for all who attend; get your tickets today!
The talented dancers and cast of Western Arkansas Ballet perform The Nutcracker Saturday, December 19 at 7:00 PM and Sunday, December 20 at 2:00 P.M., Performances take place at the ArcBest Corporation Performing Arts Center at 55 South 7th Street, Fort Smith. Adult tickets are available for $35. Child and student tickets (with a valid student ID) are available for $20.
Please call 479.785.0152 for more information.
Join the Sugar Plum Fairy for her annual Sugar Plum Fairy Tea on Sunday, November 22, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at the Riverfront Glass Pavilion in Fort Smith!
Meet your favorite Nutcracker characters, enjoy delicious sweet and savory treats, sip hot cocoa and coffee provided by Sweet Bay Coffee Company and specialty tea by HTeaO. Take part in magical activities throughout the Land of Sweets.
Want the royal treatment? Grab a limited Sugar Plum Royalty VIP Pass for $40 per person! VIP perks include:
Reserved seating at the Sugar Plum Fairy’s tables
A specialty cookie from The Cookie Lady
A personalized flower arrangement
Front-of-the-line access to activities
An exclusive VIP craft station
General Admission: $30 for children | $20 for adults An adult with a ticket must accompany each child.
This event often sells out, so don't delay!
Tickets must be purchased in advance—no tickets will be sold at the door.
Western Arkansas Ballet is a nonprofit dance Academy and Regional Ballet Company located in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and dedicated to providing quality dance education and training in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, hip-hop, modern, creative movement as well as adult classes in ballet & tap. Our focus on dance education and performance includes the whole community in two full-length performances each season.
