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Ballet Embody is Maryland’s premiere contemporary ballet company located in Carroll County. Co-founded in 2019 by Emily Runkle and Melissa Lineburg, Ballet Embody produces original classical and contemporary works.
Performance Notes
NOTES ON BALLET EMBODY’S THE MARYLAND NUTCRACKER BALLET
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The magic and tradition of The Nutcracker has brought joy and whimsy to American audiences during the holiday season for nearly a century. Its music and fantastical story keeps the familiarity in our hearts as different ballet companies have changed choreography and occasionally added their own “twist” or flavor to their production. As a Baltimore girl and Maryland native, I started dreaming up a version of The Nutcracker that Marylanders could find especially fun and unique as our own diverse and quirky Maryland culture. May we all fully experience the magic of each Maryland season, grateful for what each brings to our lives.
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Enjoy the holidays this year, and cherish the time with your loved ones. May your days be merry and bright,
Emily Runkle
Artistic Director | Ballet Embody
The Story of The Maryland Nutcracker
Act 1 opens with Clara, her brother Fritz, and her parents preparing for their Christmas Eve party. When her friends and relatives arrive, the party commences and they find themselves busy with hugs, gift giving, and dancing…until they are interrupted by the arrival of a shadowy and mysterious figure. Clara calms everyone when she announces that it’s just her godfather, Edgar Allan Poe!
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Poe tries to entertain the children with some of his current musings, such as the haunting Raven, the sickly Annabel Lee, and the terrifying Masque of the Red Death, but the children are frightened. Clara interrupts and reminds him that they are at a Christmas party, and that it’s a time for lovely, happy, Christmas-y things. Poe then uses his imagination and magic to conjure up a beloved holiday toy for her, a magical Nutcracker!
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After the party, the magic of the Nutcracker creates whimsical adventures in Clara’s dreams. She steps outside her home in Baltimore and meets the Queens of Snow and Ice, and they summon the Wintry Mix.
Act 2 continues Clara’s dream. Her magical Nutcracker brings in the changing of seasons, from a cold Maryland winter to a hot Maryland summer. Clara meets the Sugarplum fairy, who promises to show Clara the wonderful things that Maryland has to offer.
From crabs, to Baltimore peppermint twists, from the beloved Maryland flag, to an Ocean City beach scene and beyond, Clara’s dream takes her from the Western Maryland Mountains into the City and “downy oshun”!
The sugarplum fairy is a magical character, a vision of who Clara may grow up to be one day. The Sugarplum’s presence draws in a holiday feel no matter the weather. Here, she and Clara dance together, reminding each other to enjoy each season and welcome the holiday spirit in that present moment. Clara finally awakens from her dream, thankful to be home and thrilled about the memories she’s made with her new magical Nutcracker.
The Maryland Nutcracker
Choreography by Emily Runkle
Music: Tchaikovsky
Act I
Clara
Olivia
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Fritz
Elyza
Parents
Melissa + Glenn
Maid
Lacee
Party Children
Ainsley
Aubrey
Daliah
Esmae
Guinevere
Laila
Lolah
Madilyn
Piper
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Party Parents
Emily + David
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Nurse
Kristen
Grandmother
Jessica
Edgar Allan Poe
Stephen
The Raven Heather
Annabel Lee Madilyn
Masque of the Red Death Blair
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Queens of Snow + Ice
Madison + Melissa
Wintry Mix Waltz
Blair
Esmae
Heather
Jessica
Kristen
Lacee
Lolah
Madilyn
Kayla (Understudy)
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** 10 Minute Pause **
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Act II
Welcome to Maryland
Rebecca
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Crab + Spice
Lolah (Sat)
Esmae (Sat)
Kristen (Sun)
Madilyn (Sun)
The Raven
Blair
Heather
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Orioles + Cat
Jessica + Madilyn (Sat), Ainsley (Sun)
Esmae
Lacee
Kristen (Understudy)
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Little Italy and Boh
Melissa
Ainsley
Daliah
Elyza
Laila
Blair + Glenn
Emily + David
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Maryland Pride
Lacee
Kristen
Kayla (Sat)
Madison (Sun)
Madilyn (Understudy)
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Peppalemons
Heather (Sat)
Lolah (Sun)
Aubrey
Guinevere
Piper
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Beach Waltz
Blair
Heather
Jessica
Kristen
Lacee
Madison
Melissa
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Finale
Entire Company
We'll see you in March 2026 for our latest premiere + Greatest Hits!
This mainstage performance features Ballet Embody’s Professional Company, Student Company, Performance Ensemble, and musical artists.
Meet the Company
EMILY RUNKLE, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR + COMPANY ARTIST
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Message from Emily -
Now that this is our fifth year of The Maryland Nutcracker, it's most certainly an official "tradition”! Thanks to ALL who have made this possible. Our community at Ballet Embody is bigger than anyone can imagine, and stretches from anyone who's praised us by word of mouth or donated an empty box to be used for our prop department. We see you and we appreciate you.
I'd like to thank:
My Synergy fam- Our amazing teachers and collaborators for providing and maintaining such a wonderful home for Ballet Embody. To Katy Love especially, for your never ending energy and work ethic that makes all things around Synergy possible.
Pam and Dave Runkle- if you see them, give them a hug! They're a huge reason I have the courage and drive to choreograph and run a dance company.
My husband- for putting props and sets on wheels, for occasionally being my dance partner and for all of his support and brainstorming sessions and intellectual property since 2019. ;)
My students- teaching you and watching you perform is a joy. May you always give light to the world the same way that you are tonight.
Our ProCo dancers- working with you is fulfilling, uplifting, and an adventure. You all contribute so much to each rehearsal, and I hope you know how much you inspire your fellow dancers and audience members. I'm truly honored that you've chosen to dance with Ballet Embody.
Melissa- thanks for sharing a brain, and putting up with me getting ahead of myself on practically a daily basis. I love being able to reflect with you on Mondays and share the pride that we feel for our group. This year your grace and strength has been exemplified to the nth degree as we’ve had to shift our work lives around a bit to make room for BE’s two newest little company members. ;) Thank you for your never ending support. We did it! Again!
MELISSA LINEBURG, MANAGING DIRECTOR + COMPANY ARTIST
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Message from Melissa -
I cannot believe we're celebrating our FIFTH annual production of The Maryland Nutcracker this year. It seems like it was just yesterday (but actually over 12 years ago) when Emily first mentioned her "crazy" Nutcracker idea to me in the dressing room while we got ready for class... And look at us now.
I’m so proud to present our latest and most updated version of the show alongside a fantastic company of dancers - professional and student, alike. The Nutcracker will always hold a special place in my heart. I didn’t first perform this holiday classic until I was 15. And, at that age, the only role I was cast in was a mouse; a 15-year-old mouse required to understudy all of the Act II roles but not able to dance those roles until the following year. I share my experience because every single role in a production is just as vital and important as the next and I cannot emphasize enough just how much I value every single role and character within this and every Ballet Embody production. Rehearsals are long and tedious and our dancers astound me with the commitment, passion, and dedication they bring the roles to life.
There are so many people I am incredibly grateful to this season, and I know I’ll accidentally miss some of you - without you, Ballet Embody would not be where we are today. Thank you!
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I’d also like to thank:
Emily, my partner in creativity, laughs, and love of ballet. For our early morning talks, constant support, and Energizer bunny energy - I am so grateful for all of it and cannot wait to see what comes from our continued thinking, creating, presenting, and dancing together.
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Josh, my literal partner in love and this thing called life. For being that annoyingly calm human who’s there for me at the end of long, fulfilling days and your never wavering level of support of my dancing, management, and ignoring my lack of completing chores when needed - thank you.
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My family, Mom, Dad, and Kels - The people who brought me up in life, dealt with my inability to sit still, and taught me to use resources and ask all of the questions. You have always been and continue to be so supportive of my creativity and the oddities that make me, me.
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I am constantly awed and inspired by the amazing things our company of artists are capable of. Your curiosity to push boundaries and to see where your technique, artistry, and intuition can take you - just wow. Without each of our past, future, and current dancers, the company would not be what it has become nor where it is today. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for trusting us on this journey.
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Our audiences, donors, volunteers, supporters, followers, anyone I have absent-mindedly left out - Thank you so much and please enjoy the show!​
Professional Company
Madison
Bonvissuto Ryan
Kristen
Faraclas
Lacee
Buckholz
Heather
Leitner
Blair
D'Amico
Melissa
Lineburg
Rebecca
Dunphy
Jessica
Markiewicz
Student Company
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Madilyn
Conroy
Lailah
Fisher
Lolah
Peters
Performance Ensemble
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Esmae
Performance Ensemble III
Elyza
Performance Ensemble II
Piper
Performance Ensemble I
Kayla
Performance Ensemble III
Olivia
Performance Ensemble II
David
Performance Ensemble I
Ainsley
Performance Ensemble II
Aubrey
Performance Ensemble I
Glenn
Performance Ensemble I
Daliah
Performance Ensemble II
Guinevere
Performance Ensemble I
Stephen
Performance Ensemble I
Playbill Advertisements
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Season Sponsors
Ballet Embody is grateful to many for helping to make The Maryland Nutcracker a possibility. This production would not have been possible without support from:
Our dancers
Our donors
Our volunteers
Our stage crew
Matt Ryan for managing the archival video recording of The Maryland Nutcracker.
Click here to see Ballet Embody’s Season Sponsors.
Costumes + Headpieces Curated and Provided by
Bluebird Dancewear, Emily Runkle, Melissa Lineburg, Jessica Markiewicz, Kayla Gray, Company Dancers
Please consider making a tax-deductible donation online through our fiscal sponsor Fractured Atlas.