GREENSBORO, N.C. — The University of North Carolina School of the Arts performed "The Nutcracker" at the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts in Greensboro this month and made history with the amount of tickets it sold.

What You Need To Know

  • University of North Carolina School of the Arts presented its annual "The Nutcracker" performance at the Steven Tanger Center in Greensboro for the first time

  • More than 100 students performed at the larger venue

  • The production sold 16,742 tickets, setting a new record for attendance

"The Nutcracker" was performed five times, grossing $752,612. UNCSA says a total of 16,742 tickets were sold, setting an attendance record. 

The production usually takes place at the Stevens Center in Winston-Salem, which is undergoing a multi-year-long renovation. 

Organizers said the Stevens Center seats about 1,400 while the Tanger Center seats close to 3,000. 

UNCSA Dean of the School of Dance Endalyn Taylor Outlaw said that means this year more families than ever came together for the experience.

"It's a way for intergenerational family members to come together and see something that is family friendly that shows an amazing skillset in the dancers also is just fun and loving," Outlaw said. 

The show stars 110 dancers from the college and dance preparatory program. 

UNCSA sophomore Amanda Ovitt danced the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

She said she was thrilled to share the production they had been practicing since September with a wider audience. 

"It's so exciting to be at the Steven Tanger Center in Greensboro. Everything is bigger and better, and I’m so excited to perform here," Ovitt said.

The university's symphony orchestra also accompanied the ballet.

The money will be used to fund student scholarships at UNCSA.