San Francisco Ballet Nutcracker Storybook

A playful and educational exploration of the ballet, Nutcracker! This illustrated storybook features interactive animations and fun facts about dance, music and San Francisco Ballet’s very special production of the holiday classic.

“It’s the sort of app that kids will love, and may inspire them to watch a ballet in the real world–whether in San Francisco or elsewhere.” –Apps Playground

Interactive Storytelling:
Designed for children ages 6–10 and their families, this illustrated interactive storybook introduces young audiences to ballet and orchestral music, allowing them to explore storytelling through movement. Watch closely for clues as you read the story yourself or listen to the narration. Tap on the screen or tilt your iPad for surprises along the way!

Go Behind the Scenes:
Learn more about the San Francisco Ballet and the SF Ballet School. Meet some of our young performers and see how a professional ballet company makes the Nutcracker come alive!

Discover More:
Tap the “discover” button to access videos, photographs and fascinating information about the Nutcracker. Learn more about San Francisco history, ballet, dance and music!

Key Features:
- “Listen to Story” & “Read it Myself” modes
- Swipe to turn the page
- Playful animations on tap
- Music clips accompany each scene
- Pop-up info pages feature photos and videos
- Tutorials teach basic ballet positions and simple choreography

Your child will learn the following:
- Basic to intermediate reading skills
- Basic information about ballet, dance and music
- Ballet and music appreciation
- What is was like to live in early 20th century San Francisco
- The history of the Nutcracker ballet and of San Francisco Ballet—America’s oldest professional ballet company

Privacy:
San Francisco Ballet apps:
- Do not collect, retain, or share personally identifiable information
- Do not contain ads
- Do not contain integration with social networks
- Do not include links to other apps
- Do not use or collect your precise geographic location
- Do collect performance information (for registered users only)

If you have any question or concern about privacy within our apps, please send us an email at [email protected].

San Francisco Ballet Nutcracker Storybook Credits:
Illustrations and story by Kate Garchinsky
Narration by Eileen Brady
Design and development by Night Kitchen Interactive
Based on San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker with choreography by SF Ballet Artistic Director and Principal Choreographer, Helgi Tomasson, and music by the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra under the direction of Music Director and Principal Conductor, Martin West; soundtrack recording courtesy of Koch CDs.

Special thanks to the talented artists, musicians, students, and staff of the San Francisco Ballet for their participation in this project.

San Francisco Ballet’s production of Nutcracker premiered on December 17, 2004 at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, California.

Composer: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Choreography: Helgi Tomasson
Scenic Design: Michael Yeargan
Costume Design: Martin Pakledinaz
Lighting Design: James F. Ingalls
Projection Design: Wendall K. Harrington

San Francisco Ballet
America’s oldest professional ballet company, San Francisco Ballet has enjoyed a long and rich tradition of artistic “firsts” since its founding in 1933, including performing the first American productions of Swan Lake and Nutcracker. One of the three largest ballet companies in the United States, San Francisco Ballet, under the direction of Helgi Tomasson, presents more than 100 performances annually, both locally and internationally. For more information, visit sfballet.org.

The Nutcracker Interactive Storybook was made possible by a grant from the James F. Irvine Foundation’s Arts Innovation Fund