Every holiday season, generations of families gather to experience a tradition that began more than 40 years ago. For some audience members, The Nutcracker is a yearly tradition; for others, it is a first introduction to the magic of the holidays. For a growing number of dancers onstage, it is something even more personal: a legacy passed from parent to child, built on shared memories and a love of dance.
For more than four decades, Lincoln Midwest Ballet Company (LMBC) has brought The Nutcracker to life for the Lincoln community, under the direction of Shari True. The show has created countless memories as dancers have come and gone and the production has continued to flourish. Yet, its legacy is measured in more than performances. It lives in the love of ballet, the memories made onstage, and the special experience of watching the next generation follow in their parents’ footsteps.
At 14, Izzy Tesch is carrying on a tradition that began with her mother. She performed in The Nutcracker at the same age Izzy is now. “It makes me feel really special to continue something my mom did when she was my age,” Izzy shared. Through the production, mothers and daughters have built shared experiences, exchanging memories from their own years onstage.
Sixteen-year-old Blythe Meranda has participated in the production for more than a decade. The Nutcracker has become a way to connect with her mother’s past while creating a legacy of her own. “It has really brought my mom and me together, bonding through The Nutcracker,” she said.
Their conversations about the roles they have shared—and those that have differed—help keep both generations’ experiences alive.
For 18-year-old Ada Rawlings, the tradition extends beyond the stage and into her entire family. “It is a holiday tradition I’ve shared not only with my sisters, but my cousins and entire family,” she said.
Her grandparents attend the performance every year, remembering when her mother danced in the production. “It is so special to know that people support something I care about so much!”
With her mother cheering her on, 17-year-old Laila Cardenas is continuing a tradition she hopes will last for generations. Sharing a passion for dance has made the experience especially meaningful, and knowing her mother is in the audience supporting her makes each performance even more special. For Laila, the connection represents something worth preserving. “I don’t want that shared passion to just end with one generation,” she said.
As one generation passes its memories to the next, the legacy of LMBC’s The Nutcracker continues—not only through its familiar music and choreography, but through every family story, every new dancer, and every step taken toward the future. It has become a living tradition.
The Nutcracker
December 12-13 at the Lied
For tickets call 402-472-4747