Knock Knock, Who’s Here? The Nutcracker – A Tale from the Bayou
Meet the two nationally respected principal dancers playing main characters Sugar Plum Fairy and Nutcracker Cavalier from Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre!
Included with regular admission.
December 18, 2025 at 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
A Magical Visit from the Sugar Plum Fairy & the Nutcracker Cavalier
Get ready for an enchanting experience at Knock Knock Children’s Museum! We’re thrilled to welcome two nationally respected principal dancers from Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker – A Tale from the Bayou—the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Nutcracker Cavalier themselves!
These extraordinary performers, who will take center stage at the River Center on December 20–21, are visiting Knock Knock to meet families, inspire young dancers, and share the magic behind one of the world’s most beloved ballets – Cajun style.
Want to know what it’s really like to be a professional Nutcracker dancer? Ask our two Knock Knock! Who’s Here? guests! They both began dancing as children and now perform for large audiences across the country.
Meet Our Special Guests:
Emelia Perkins — 2025 Sugar Plum Fairy
A Baton Rouge native, Emelia grew up performing in the local Nutcracker before launching an impressive professional career. She has spent the past seven seasons dancing a wide range of roles—from corps de ballet to principal—with The Sarasota Ballet. Now based in Denver, she continues her artistry as a freelance dancer. Her homecoming performance and visit to Knock Knock make this moment even more meaningful.
Sanford Placide — 2025 Nutcracker Cavalier
Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sanford spent six years performing with the internationally renowned Dance Theatre of Harlem. Now a New York–based freelance artist, he brings exceptional technique, power, and storytelling to every stage he steps on.
Families will have the rare chance to:
✨ Meet and talk with real principal dancers
📸 Snap photos with the Sugar Plum Fairy & the Nutcracker Cavalier
💬 Ask questions and learn what it takes to be a performer
🌟 Experience the wonder of ballet up close
For more than 130 years, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker has enchanted audiences around the world. Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre’s beloved Louisiana adaptation—performed here for over 30 years with the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra and a cast of 100+ local children and professionals—continues that magic each holiday season. And now, we’re bringing a piece of that magic straight to Knock Knock!
Want a behind-the-scenes look at this year’s production? Check out this great article from inRegister.
Join us for this unforgettable Knock Knock! Who’s Here? program and let the holiday wonder dance right in!
Event included with regular admission.