A holiday mash-up for the whole family, The Hip Hop Nutcracker returns for another spectacular tour. Directed and choreographed by Tony and Olivier Award-nominated Jennifer Weber, this contemporary dance spectacle is a re-mixed and re-imagined version of the classic, smashing hip-hop dance and Tchaikovsky’s timeless music together into a heart-stirring and inspirational holiday event.

Just like the original, in The Hip Hop Nutcracker, Maria-Clara and the Nutcracker Prince go on a dream adventure battling a gang of mice, visiting the land of sweets and learning the lessons of the holiday season.

Innovative digital graffiti and visuals transform the landscape of E.T.A. Hoffmann’s beloved story from traditional 19th Century Germany to the vibrant, diverse sights and sounds of contemporary New York City.

Jazmyn Thomas

Portland native Jazmyn Thomas discovered her love for movement at age 13 while watching her first live performance—goodbye to those two left feet! With a BFA in Dance from AMDA College and Conservatory, she’s danced and acted her way through New York and Los Angeles. During the pandemic, Jazmyn embraced the opportunity to reconnect with her Portland roots, dedicating herself to building community and nurturing aspiring dancers in her hometown. Now back in LA, Jazmyn is ready to dive into her next chapter, fueled by passion and a dash of hometown charm!

Ryan Nebreja

Ryan Nebreja (He/Him) His credits include Tate Gyoji in SUMO (Ma-Yi/La Jolla Playhouse); Tanner in God Will Do the Rest (LATC/Artists at Play), Lance Graham in Mama Mama Can’t You See (Coin&Ghost); Larry Itliong in Sama Sama (East West Players); Roberto Zucco in Roberto Zucco (CalArts); Ensemble in Augustine Machine (Conservatoire National Supérieur d’Art Dramatique Paris/Center of New Performance); He holds an MFA from California Institute of the Arts.

Shantel Ureña

Shantel Ureña is a dancer, choreographer, filmmaker, and teacher from Tampa, Fl based in Los Angeles. She focuses on concert, commercial, and freestyle dance. Beginning in her grandparents' home, dancing to Merengue, she soon journeyed into Ballet, Modern and Contemporary. Later, falling in love with Street +Club styles such as; House, Hip Hop, Animation and Waving. Shantel has toured with Contra Tiempo, actively Battles and performed with artists like; Dua Lipa, Xtina, Ozuna and Google.

Angel “Staccato” Guzman

Angel Guzman is a Hip Hop freestyle dancer with a background as a percussionist from Tampa Florida and currently based out of Orlando. Dancer and choreographer for projects featuring Ravi Drums, Meg Donnelly wand Tyra Banks. 2024 KOD Hip Hop world runner up, and Red Bull Dance Your Style 2 v 2 champion. Core member of Funky Wunks who was featured on the World Of Dance TV show.

Jaelyn Heath

Hi, my name is Jaelyn Heath.  I am originally from Kansas City, Kansas; but I am currently living in Los Angeles, California.  Go Chiefs!  I began dancing at the age of 3 and happy to say that 18 years later; I am currently a senior majoring in Commercial Dance Theater.  I am currently enrolled at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy.  Whenever I am not busy with school I am assisting Tricia Miranda on the weekends at the state of the art dance convention "Radix" as a pro-assistant.

Jaylin Sanders

Jaylin Sanders is a versatile performing artist who started dancing at six. Although he played various sports, he fully committed to dance after moving to Tennessee in 2016, enhancing his choreography and freestyle skills. By 14, he began working professionally and later moved to Los Angeles. He has since collaborated with renowned artists and brands like Dolly Parton, Marvel, and many more! He also achieved a Top 6 finish on Season 18 of So You Think You Can Dance.

Trent Jeray

Trent Jeray raised in Memphis TN a master of the style Memphis Jookin. He was first casted as a soloist in the Cirque Du Soleil shows The Beatles Love and Michael Jackson One on the Las Vegas Strip. He enjoys traveling the world sharing his gifts to inspire and motivate others. Credits:Aerosmith,Pharrell,Justin Timberlake, Bad Buny, Louis Vuitton and more. Instagram: @Trentjeray

Baptista Kawa

Baptista Kawa is originally from Democratic Republic of Congo. He’s thrilled to do his second tour with HHN. Credits include:  Performances with 50 Cent, The Lion King at The Hollywood Bowl, FIFA World Cup Reveal, and an editorial video for Vogue with Lil Nas X. Music videos for Damiano David, Feid and Arman Hovhannisyan. Commercials for Purple Mattress, Samsung and XFinity in collaboration with Bboy Victor. He’s a member of contemporary company Jacob Jonas The Company.

Ethan Evaro

Ethan started his journey as a dancer at age 8, training as a B-boy  and performing and battling at local showcases and battles. Ethan’s professional career started during high school dancing on tour with artists such as Janet Jackson. After high school, Ethan moved to Los Angeles to pursue a BFA in commercial dance, graduating from Hussain College In Studio Los Angeles in 2021. Since graduating, Ethan’s career as a performer has taken off, performing in movies, on tours, and live on television for the Oscars. Through Ethan’s career, he strives to blend different movement styles, expanding the boundaries of what movement is and can be.

Vuokko

VUOKKO performs across North America, the U.K., Europe and Asia. She has toured and recorded with the Baltimore Symphony, The Knights and A Far Cry. Theater credits include Concertmaster positions in the first U.S. national tour of Hamilton and its opening residency in Asia. Festivals include Tanglewood, Ravinia, Naumburg, Newport, Caramoor, Rockport, BBC Proms and Edinburgh International.

Kurtis Blow

Kurtis Blow is one of the founders and creators of recorded rap. A hip hop legend, Kurtis blazed the trail for early hip hop artists and continues to carry the torch for hip hop music in new arenas. Kurtis was the first rapper to be signed to a major label, release a certified gold rap album, tour the US and Europe, record a national commercial, use the drum machine, release a rap music video, and become a millionaire. Kurtis has scored, produced, and acted overseas, becoming an activist, radio personality, and an ordained minister and leader of the Hip Hop Church.

Cadence Blackful

Cadence spent the first half of her childhood training in gymnastics, track & field and basketball. She took her first dance class at age 12 and knew she’d found her calling. She’s honored to be mentored by Phil Wright, JoJo Gomez, JR Taylor, Free Boogie, Phlex, and others. At age 13 Cadence began her professional career with the WNBA Sparks, she’s a dancer and choreographer of the NBA Clippers Spirit dance team, and she considers herself blessed to now be working full-time as a dancer, choreographer, teacher, model, and actor, performing in films, commercials, music videos, and live stage shows

Tomoe “Beasty” Carr

Born in New York, Tomoe grew up in Japan for 10 years. She started her dance training in Japan and she is the first graduate of KiNEXtionS™ from NXGN Studios Japan. Tomoe was chosen as an honorable mention for YoungArts in 2019. She has also danced behind artists Alicia Keys, Swaelee, Jidenna, Freddie Gibbs and has made an impact in the street style battle scene winning Red Bull Dance Ya Style Boston, Jacob’s Pillow, Ladies Of Hip Hop Festival and Step Ya Game Up. Since 2021, she has been traveling the country to battle, do commercial work, and learn from various dancers.

Philip Svirshch

Originally born in Ukraine, now living in Los Angeles, Philip Svirshch traveled since birth in the Russian circus touring the world with his acrobatic family, after many years of gymnastics and circus his life transitioned into bboying in high school. Philip is now apart of legendary crews such as Phaze 2 crosstown crew and The Squadron which he represents all around the world battling, judging and teaching all around the world showcasing his dynamic style.

Vicki “La Vix” Chang

Vicki “La Vix” Chang is a b-girl from San Jose, CA and started breaking at the age of 18. Influenced by the diverse music and dance culture of the Bay Area, Vicki’s dance style has been described as creative and intricate. She enjoys the innovative freedom of breaking and is deeply inspired by her friends and mentors. Vicki is a member of Team USA and has recently collaborated with the Golden State Warriors, Nike, and Jack in the Box.

Janaè Valentine

Born and Raised in Philadelphia PA, Janaè is a professional dancer with 7 years of dance experience and has performed with major artists and award shows. Specializing in Hip Hop and Krump, her dance style focuses more on storytelling and high engery. Janaè has received rigorous training from American Dramatic Academy of LA learning from major choreographers. Janaè is forever inspired by her peers and loves to educate and give back to the dance community.

Teofilo “Boo” Recitas

Boo is a Fil-Am DJ based in NY who has shared the stage with the likes of Snoop Dogg, Ghostface Killah, The Juggaknots, Common, KRS-1, and Kurtis Blow. His talent as a turntablist has enabled him the privilege of rocking stages in cities from Chicago and Cape Verde to Madrid and Kathmandu. He’s been the DJ for The Hip Hop Nutcracker since inception and is responsible for the remixes heard throughout the show.

Jennifer Weber

(Director, Choreographer) Broadway/West End: & Juliet (Olivier & Tony Nominations, Best Choreography); Broadway/Off-Broadway KPOP (Tony Nomination, Best Choreography), Teenage Dick (The Public), Cruel Intentions (LPR/US Tour). Film: Disney Zombies 2, While You Were Gone (Emmy, Win, short-form entertainment) Commissions: Tulsa Ballet, LA Music Center, Baryshnikov Arts Center, NY City Center. Weber is the co-creator, director, and choreographer of The Hip Hop Nutcracker, featuring rap legend Kurtis Blow, touring annually across the U.S. and recorded for an Emmy-winning PBS All Arts special. In 2022, she collaborated with Disney as Executive Producer/ Choreographer on a new film version of The Hip Hop Nutcracker for Disney+.

@jenniferwebernyc

RANDI "RASCAL" FREITAS

(Associate Choreographer) Randi "Rascal" Freitas is a versatile dancer, choreographer, and educator based in Los Angeles, CA. With a valued presence in both the industry and community, Randi's talent is influential and sought after in multiple arenas within the dance world. Randi has performed with Justin Timberlake, SZA, Travis Scott, Karol G and Kaytranada, and danced in commercials for AT&T, Toyota and Target. She has performed on The Ellen Show, The American Music Awards, The Kid's Choice Awards, The Grammy's and more. Randi toured the nation as Associate Director/Choreographer of the "The Hip Hop Nutcracker", and can be seen in "Spirited", Apple's musical starring Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds. In the underground scene Randi was not only the 2021 RedBull BC One Boston Winner, but also a RedBull BC One US National Finalist. Recently she placed as a Bronze Metalist in both the Arizona and Los Angeles Olympic Qualifiers. As an educator, Randi taught Hip Hop at USC and CalArts, has taught throughout the US and internationally. In addition to her work in the industry, community, and institution, she is currently in partnership with NIKE as a consultant for specialty shoe building. Randi most recently is the Founder of OMEGA Flow Floorwork, a training program, company, and curriculum for dancers worldwide. While her training program is not exclusive to womxn, it stands as a space of integrity for them to learn and grow.

MIKE FITELSON

(Writer/Co-Creator) is the executive producer at the United Palace, the 91-year-old Wonder Theatre in Washington Heights, Manhattan’s 4th largest theatre. In 2014 as the executive director of the nonprofit United Palace of Cultural Arts (UPCA) he co-created The Hip Hop Nutcracker with Jennifer Weber, adapting the story and supplying the images for the scenery, and produced its premiere. Fitelson has worked to build the Northern Manhattan arts community for 18 years. He co-founded the annual arts festival, the Uptown Arts Stroll, in 2003; served in every capacity of the Manhattan Times, the bilingual community newspaper of Washington Heights and Inwood, from 2002-2011; and helped found the nonprofit Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance in 2006. He is thrilled the show is returning to the Paramount Theatre in his hometown of Oakland, CA, where he watched his first Nutcracker in the early 1980s.

KATY FREEMAN

(Costume Designer) Katy started her journey with Hip Hop Nutcracker in 2021 as wardrobe supervisor and is thrilled to be back with the crew as costume designer. She serves as the Costume Director for The Dance Theatre of Harlem. Her costumes have been seen on stages across the US & internationally including, New York City Center, Kennedy Center & Lincoln Center. Noted collaborations have been with Christopher Wheeldon, William Forsyth and Virgina Johnson. George Balanchine’s “Allegro Brillante” is her most recent design for the company. She studied costume design at SUNY Purchase and has a costume studio in Brooklyn where she designs and creates custom one of a kind looks for nightlife personalities, burlesque and drag performers. Her designs can be seen often on RuPaul’s Drag Race.

BRANDON STIRLING BAKER

(Lighting Designer) is an award-winning lighting designer working internationally in the areas of dance, opera, and theater. His work can be seen on stages throughout the US and abroad including Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, Hollywood Bowl, Walt Disney Concert Hall, New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Australian Ballet, Hong Kong Ballet, American Ballet Theater, Opera Philadelphia, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Miami City Ballet, Boston Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Houston Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, Semperoper Dresden, Staatsballett Berlin and many others. Since 2010, Baker has designed over 30 world premieres for choreographer Justin Peck. Additional collaborations include new works by Savion Glover, Sufjan Stevens, William Forsythe, Jamar Roberts, Lauren Lovette, Anthony Roth Costanzo, and many others. Baker is the resident lighting designer of Boston Ballet and recipient of the Knight of Illumination Award.

www.stirlingbaker.com

HANA S. KIM

(Projection Designer) Broadway: The Old Man And The Pool (Lincoln Center), Summer 1976 (MTC) Off-Broadway/New York: The Harder They Come (The Public Theater) The Visitor (The Public Theater, Lucile Lortel Nom), Eve's Song (The Public Theater), Everything Rises (BAM), Magdalene (Prototype Festival) New music/opera: L’Orfeo (Santa Fe Opera), Sweet Land (The Industry), The Anonymous Lover (LA Opera) Regional: Geffen Playhouse, OSF, South Coast Rep, Magic Theatre, A.C.T, among others. Awards: Princess Grace Award, Sherwood Award from CTG, Helen Hayes Award, LA Drama Critics Circle Distinguished Achievement Award among others.

www.hananow.com

JOHN N. FORTUNATO

(Production Supervisor) is thrilled to be joining the Hip Hop Nutcracker team! Broadway: Mr. Saturday Night, Off-Broadway: Exception To The Rule, National Tour: Cats, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, How The Grinch Stole Christmas: The Musical, Disney's The Lion King, Bat Out of Hell: The Musical and others. Other Credits include Rodgers and Hammerstein: A Broadway Celebration with The Transport Group, Mamma Mia! at Skylight Music Theatre, Productions with Nevada Ballet Theatre, and Syracuse Opera. Thank you to my family for their endless support. Ithaca College Alum.

MEP

(General Manager) is a producing, developing and management company founded by Avram Freedberg, Mary Beth Dale and Eva Price, and is joined by Managing Director/General Manager Carl Flanigan. Select Broadway, Off-Broadway and Touring credits include Titanique (Off-Broadway 2022); What the Constitution Means to Me (National Tour 2021); August Wilson’s Jitney (National Tour 2019-20); Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical; Small Mouth Sounds; Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons on Broadway!; The Hip Hop Nutcracker; The Lion; Verso; Black Light, Born for This (LA and Boston); 50 Shades! The Musical; Ivy + Bean The Musical; Voca People; and Colin Quinn: Long Story Short.

maximumcompany.com

Eva Price

(Executive Producer) is an NYCLU/ACLU honoree and a three-time Tony award-winning producer. Her productions have garnered 4 Olivier Awards, 2 Grammy Awards, 2 Emmy Awards, and 19 Tony Awards. Current and upcoming: & Juliet (Broadway); Jagged Little Pill (National Tour); Titanique (Off-Broadway); Mindplay (Geffen Playhouse); A Transparent Musical (Center Theatre Group). Selected credits: Jagged Little Pill; Oklahoma! (Tony Award, Best Musical Revival, National Tour, London); Mr. Saturday Night; Tina – The Tina Turner Musical; What the Constitution Means to Me; Angels in America (Tony Award, Best Play Revival); Dear Evan Hansen (Tony Award, Best Musical);  On Your Feet!; Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons on Broadway!; Peter and the Starcatcher;  Colin Quinn Long Story Short; Annie; The Merchant of Venice starring Al Pacino;  Carrie Fisher’s Wishful Drinking;  The Addams Family; as well as solo shows and concerts starring The Temptations & The Four Tops, Kathy Griffin, Lewis Black, and Hershey Felder. Off-Broadway:  Sanctuary City (NYTW); Cruel Intentions: The ‘90s Musical (le Poisson Rouge; National Tour); Found; The Lion; and Bess Wohl’s critically acclaimed Small Mouth Sounds. International/Touring: The Hip Hop Nutcracker (Emmy Award for PBS Special Live Capture); The Magic School Bus, Live!: The Climate Challenge; Ella, a bio-musical about the life and music of Ella Fitzgerald. For five years Eva worked as an assignment editor and coordinating producer for special projects at ABC News, spending her last year producing and reporting on stories relating to Broadway for ABCNEWS.COM.

Join Us!

Casting for Hip Hop Nutcracker’s 2024 season is an ongoing process. If you would like to be considered to be a member of our company, including an onstage violinist position, please fill out the below form and include your name, email address, and a Google Drive link to your headshot and resume. Thank you so much for supporting us. We wish you a wonderful 2024!