BMO Harris Bank to celebrate sponsorship of Milwaukee Ballet’s The Nutcracker with children’s auditions, traveling nutcracker

MILWAUKEE -- BMO Harris Bank announced Wednesday, September 9th their third annual sponsorship of the Milwaukee Ballet’s The Nutcracker, a holiday tradition in its 38th year, as well as a series of community celebrations to commemorate the milestone.

Widely anticipated year after year as the premier, family-friendly holiday tradition in Milwaukee, The Nutcracker will open on Saturday, Dec. 12 and run through Dec. 27.

At the same time as celebrating the sponsorship, the Milwaukee Ballet is hosting children’s auditions, presented by BMO Harris Bank, on Sunday, Sept. 13 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Milwaukee Ballet, 504 W. National Ave. Hundreds of children from Milwaukee Ballet School & Academy will audition for coveted roles in this year’s performance.

Auditions which will include opening remarks by Michael Pink, Milwaukee Ballet artistic director, and Jud Snyder, president of BMO Harris Equipment Finance Company and Chairman of Milwaukee Ballet board of directors.

The Nutcracker involves Milwaukee Ballet Company, its School & Academy, the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra, the Milwaukee Children’s Choir, 145 costumes, special effects and 20 pounds of snow per performance, and is seen by nearly 25,000 people each year.

"We’re thrilled to be given the opportunity to sponsor the Milwaukee Ballet’s The Nutcracker for a third year and be able to partner with such a great organization to offer a world-renowned classic in our community,” said Snyder. “We feel it’s important to continue to provide family-friendly art performances in Milwaukee and we’re excited for another great season.”

This announcement comes just in time before the Milwaukee Ballet’s annual Nutcracker 3-Day Sale, running Sept. 14 - 16, during which the public is invited to enjoy a buy one, get one 50% off special offer.

To kickoff the celebration, BMO Harris Bank will place a 16-foot Nutcracker in Red Arrow Park on Tuesday, Sept. 8 for eager Milwaukee residents to take pictures with and post their photos on social media using the hashtag #BMOnutcracker. The giant nutcracker will remain in Red Arrow Park until Saturday, Sept. 12.

“I am so grateful for the continued support of BMO Harris Bank,” says Pink. “Thanks to their generosity to us, and Milwaukee’s arts community as a whole, BMO Harris Bank is helping ensure our arts scene remains vibrant and accessible to families in Southeastern Wisconsin.”

To order tickets, and for detailed show dates and times call (414) 902-2103 or visit www.milwaukeeballet.org.