Phoenix (STN) – The Nutcracker returned to Phoenix this holiday season with more than magic and music. It arrived with a new commitment to inclusion.
Ballet Arizona artistic director Daniela Cardim joined the December 2025 episode of ‘It Happens at STN’ to share how the iconic holiday ballet was not only returning with the Phoenix Symphony, but expanding who gets to experience it. For Cardim, the performance carries deep meaning.
“The Nutcracker for most dancers, certainly for me as a child, was our first contact with dance,” Cardim said. “You go, you watch Nutcracker, and that inspires you to dance, to learn more about dance, to appreciate the performing arts.”
WATCH: Ballet Arizona turns a holiday tradition into an experience for everyone
This season, that sense of wonder was intentionally opened to more families than ever before. For the first time, Ballet Arizona introduced a sensory-adapted performance designed for audience members with sensory sensitivities, including individuals on the autism spectrum.
“Some people are sensitive to loud sounds, darkness, or sudden movement,” Cardim explained. “So we keep the house lights low but on, adjust the sound levels, and make it okay for people to move, step out, and come back in.”
Calming spaces and flexible seating helped create a more welcoming environment—transforming what is traditionally a formal theater experience into something more accessible and humane.
But inclusion did not stop there. Through its Angel Night program, Ballet Arizona also opened its doors to families and individuals who would not typically be able to attend a full ballet performance.
“Because of the support of our donors, we are able to offer free tickets to groups who otherwise would not experience the arts,” Cardim said. “We work with nonprofits, shelters, veterans’ groups, and family organizations to bring them to The Nutcracker.”
Ballet Arizona’s sensory-adapted performance is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 17. Click here for more information.
