Reimagining Tchaikovsky’s ballet, The Nutcracker, has become almost as much of a holiday tradition as the original itself.
In the Bay Area alone, this year we have Hip-Hop Nutcrackers, a Wicked Dance-Along Nutcracker, a Nightmare Nutcracker Fantasy and Nutcracker Birds. In past years, we’ve also had Mark Morris’ Hard Nut, a San José Nutcracker and Guggenheim Entertainment’s Meshuga Nutcracker.
But it doesn’t appear that the Bay Area has ever had a Nutcracker speaking to Silicon Valley’s central preoccupation: Technology.
This year, Center Stage Dance Company (CSDC) of San Jose remedies that with a technology-infused confection set in the 1990s: the Bit-Cracker, which takes the stage for two shows on Dec. 13, 2025, at SCU’s Mayer Theater.
The principal character, Clara, receives her first computer for her birthday. She falls asleep investigating the new gadget and dreams herself into a magical digital world. Fittingly, the show was inspired by a visit to Mountain View’s Computer History Museum.
Since 2016, CSDC has been reimagining Tchaikovsky’s ballet with creative twists. Past shows include The Tooth-Cracker, The Space-Cracker, The Cheese-Cracker and The Egg-Cracker. Students also create their own themed Nutcracker set design boxes, some of which become the basis of productions.
“We wanted to create a tradition for our winter show, but disliked elements of the traditional Nutcracker story,” said Stephanie Munz, CSDC director. “We wanted something that would be more versatile in who the main characters can be and didn’t have elements of racism in its history.”*
For the dancers, it comes down to something more basic.
“It’s fun doing a different show every year,” said Lowen, 15.
Performances include dancers from preschoolers to high school students, fostering a strong sense of collective achievement. And students note that’s an important part of why they enjoy being part of CSDC.
“I find it very rewarding to see improvement as a group,” said Nicky, 16, who’s been a student since he was five.
Sadera,14, says she likes the school “because of the community here and everyone pushes to be their best. Everyone is supportive and if you mess up, other people are there to have your back.”
“Everyone is really supportive,” said Jillian, 11. “When we’re learning, and you don’t get some of the steps, other people help you until you do.”
Lowen sums up the connection between the company’s youngest and its oldest dancers.
“I remember when I was little, I wanted to be like the older kids, and now I’m one of the older kids,” said Lowen.
The community atmosphere continues beyond what happens on stage. Students get involved in costume-making, set design and construction, and learn stage presence and even public speaking. All ensuring they’re well-prepared when the curtain rises.
“We don’t just dance,” said Kaila, 12. “We do other kinds of performing skills. There’s so much else you can learn.”
“I like how we do different things and explore all kinds of dance,” said Sarah, 12. “During the summer, we work on other [aspects of] theater. We get into all parts of the show, learn what it takes to put on a show.”
Part of that education is problem-solving.
“When we run into problems, we figure out how to address them on our own,” said Lori, 14. We learn to be creative.”
Founded in 1963 as Rea’s School of Dance, sisters Stephanie and Melissa Munz followed in the steps of their mother, Mary Munz, who took over the school in 1988 from its founder, Ronnie Rea.
In addition to multiple generations of directors at CSDC, multiple generations of students have studied dance at the school, like Kimberly Carvallison. She danced with the company “decades ago,” and now her teenage daughter is one of the school’s advanced dancers.
The curtain rises on the Bit-Cracker on Dec. 13, 2025, for two shows: 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. at the Mayer Theater on the Santa Clara University Campus. In June, CSDC will have its June Portfolio production, also at the Mayer Theater. For more information, visit www.centerstagewillowglen.com/performances.html.
*Munz is referring to the stereotyped caricatures portrayed in the Chinese, Arabian, Spanish, and Russian sections of traditional Nutcracker productions. Many companies have modified them or changed the theme entirely.
Carolyn Schuk can be reached at carolyn@santaclaraweekly.com.
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