The Columbus Ballet is excited to announce the dates for the 27th production of The Nutcracker! Join us on Saturday, December 16th at 7:30 PM and Sunday, December 17th at 2:30 PM. We invite the whole family to experience the wonder of The Columbus Ballet's rendition of The Nutcracker as it is truly a family affair. We can’t wait to see you there!
2023 Artistic Director– Toya Willingham
Performance Times: Saturday, December 16th at 7:30 PM and Sunday, December 17th at 2:30 PM
Location: RiverCenter for the Performing Arts
TICKETS ON SALE NOW–Click the button below to purchase tickets online or visit the RiverCenter box office at 900 Broadway
Official Trailer for The Columbus Ballet’s 2022 Production of The Nutcracker
2023 Trailer Coming Soon!
Meet our 2023 Artistic Director
Toya Willingham
Toya started her dance training at age three and came to Decatur School of Ballet at age 13. She has been a company dancer with Decatur City Dance since 1992. She is a graduate of the DeKalb Center for the Performing Arts. In the summer of 1995, she participated in the Governor’s Honors Dance program. Toya trained as a demonstrator, an assistant teacher, and a substitute teacher in younger children’s classes at the school before her long record of teaching and choreography. She currently serves as Assistant Director of the Junior and Apprentice Companies and is Director of AboutFace, the professional ensemble of Decatur City Dance. She has a strong foundation in classical ballet and pointe, and has also trained in modern dance, jazz, and tap. Toya has also taught for Cartersville School of Ballet (Cartersville, GA) and the Royal Academy of Ballet (Decatur, GA).
Board of Directors
Mary Roddenberry (Treasurer)
Community Supporter
3-year Board Member
Columbus/Muscogee
Dr. Wanda Ebright
Dean, College of the Arts, Columbus State University
2-year Board Member
Columbus/Muscogee
Helen Reinking
Registered Nurse/Community Supporter
2-year Board Member
Columbus/Muscogee
Mary Maurice Young
Deputy General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Synovus Financial Corp
1-year Board Member
Columbus/Muscogee
Dawn Steves
Community Supporter
2-year Board Member
Columbus/Muscogee
Lindsey Shockley
Community Supporter
1-year Board Member
Columbus/Muscogee
Kern Wadkins
Executive Director, Columbus Symphony Orchestra
1-year Board Member
Columbus/Muscogee
Jennifer Joyner (President)
Assistant Vp, Alumni Engagement & Special Events, Columbus State University
3-year Board Member
Columbus/Muscogee
Ed Sutherland (Past-President)
Director, KPMG LLP
4-year Board Member
Columbus/Muscogee
Dr. Billy Kendall
Director of Community Relations, Greystone Properties
10+year Board Member
Columbus/Muscogee
Marjorie Newman
Community Supporter
10+year Board Member
Columbus/Muscogee
April Russell
Lawyer, Private Practice
2-year Board Member
Phenix City/Russell County
Connie Fink
Community Supporter
1-year Board Member
Ft. Moore, Georgia
Sam Gurski
Director, Continuing Education at CSU YDC Representative
Columbus/Muscogee
Ashley Schley
Community Supporter
1-year Board Member
Columbus/Muscogee