Join A Step Beyond on November 8th or 9th for a reimagining of The Nutcracker ballet through dance, theater, music, and puppetry. El Alebrije tells the enchanting story of María, a young girl celebrating her Quinceañera. When her father gifts her a mystical El Alebrije, she embarks on a magical journey across Mexico through a series of dreams, discovering her father’s love despite the distance between them.

By attending El Alebrije, you help provide local students with dance education, academic support, family services, and college and career readiness programs- empowering them to pursue their dreams.

This performance will feature over 150 A Step Beyond students between the ages of 8 and 18 years, student tech crew, and numerous parent guest performers and volunteers. 

We’ve partnered with Bocón, a youth theater company, to create a culturally resonant script, and with the San Diego Guild of Puppetry to build stunning large-scale puppets. The performance also features music by Mariachi Champaña Nevin, with choreography, costumes, props, and set design by A Step Beyond’s talented staff, students, and volunteers.

This year’s production will take place at The Center Theatre, California Center for the Arts, Escondido, promising to be one of our most exciting performances this year. You won’t want to miss it!