The National Ballet of Panama concluded its 2025 performance season this week with a celebrated run of the classic holiday ballet, The Nutcracker. Every performance sold out, the Ministry of Culture confirmed, cementing the production as a major cultural event. The season’s finale, held in Panama City and Colon, doubled its planned number of shows due to overwhelming public demand.
Artistic Director Sasha Adamovic and international choreographer David Makhateli led the production. Makhateli, a former principal dancer with London’s Royal Ballet, created a new staging exclusively for the Panamanian company. His involvement brought a fresh and theatrical vision to the beloved story, a year-end tradition for local dance enthusiasts.
“This production represents a significant artistic milestone for our national company,” a Ministry of Culture spokesperson said. [Translated from Spanish] “The public’s massive response, with tickets for free orchestra-accompanied shows gone in two hours, demonstrates the vibrant appetite for high-quality classical ballet in Panama.”
Officials extended the season to include a special performance at the Colon Art and Culture Center. They also added two free shows on December 18 and 19 featuring the Panama Philharmonic Orchestra. Those complimentary tickets were claimed almost instantly after release.
Nurturing the Next Generation of Dancers
Beyond the main stage, the production focused heavily on education and inclusion. Makhateli and Adamovic integrated students from dance academies across Panama into the performance. These young dancers were selected through official auditions for dedicated “Young Cast Nights” on December 13 and 14.
This initiative provided professional stage experience for dozens of local children and teenagers. It aligns with the National Ballet of Panama‘s core mission to develop artistic talent nationwide. The company views such programs as essential for building a sustainable future for dance in the country.
“Working with these young artists has been incredibly rewarding,” Makhateli noted in a post-performance statement. [Translated from Spanish] “Their energy and dedication on stage remind us why we preserve and reinvent these classics. They are the future.”
Capping a Landmark Year for Panamanian Ballet
The successful Nutcracker run serves as a finale for what company managers call a historic year. The national ensemble staged new works, completed national and international tours, and collaborated with several guest artists throughout 2025. These activities significantly boosted the company’s profile both at home and abroad.
Closing the season with a box-office hit provides strong momentum for 2026. Full theaters and expanded schedules signal robust audience support. That support is crucial for planning more ambitious productions and outreach programs in the coming years.
For now, the company takes a brief respite. The sets and costumes for The Nutcracker, however, will likely see the stage lights again next December. This year’s success almost guarantees the holiday tradition will continue, perhaps with even more young dancers from Panama’s growing ballet community taking part.