Keep the Music Live in Erie’s Nutcracker

This year, our fundraising has not reached the levels we have experienced in the past. Sponsorships, grants, donations, and fundraising efforts have all fallen short of what we had hoped. At the same time, third-party ticket reselling has significantly impacted our ticket revenue.  We have reached a point where we need our community's help.  We are asking for pledges—not donations—at this time.  

Our goal is to secure $8,000 in pledges specifically for the orchestra.

We are asking for pledges first because we want to be responsible with the funds entrusted to us. We do not want to spend down our available resources and risk our ability to pay our other artists, vendors, and production expenses.  

We also need to make this decision soon. 

Our professional musicians are beginning to book their December engagements, and we want to give them enough time to make other arrangements if we are unable to secure the funding.  

Every pledge helps us determine whether we can responsibly bring the live orchestra back to the Warner this year.  

No payment is being collected with this pledge. We are simply asking you to make a commitment so we can determine whether the community can reach this goal together.  

We have built Erie’s Nutcracker with the support and trust of this community, and we don't take that trust lightly.  

If live music is part of what makes Erie’s Nutcracker special to you, please consider making a pledge today.  

Help us keep the music live.

**** UPDATE 10/6/26:

We are so excited to share some wonderful news about Erie’s Nutcracker!  After our recent pledge drive to bring live orchestra music back to the Warner Theatre, a very generous supporter stepped forward with a $12,000 commitment toward the orchestra.  At the same time, we were able to negotiate a smaller orchestra—from 44 musicians to 35 musicians—which significantly reduced the overall cost and made live music much more manageable for Lake Erie Ballet Company.  

With these changes, live orchestra music is once again within reach!  

Lake Erie Ballet Company will still be responsible for a significant portion of the remaining orchestra expense—up to $8,000.  

We still need your help.  

Our new goal of $8,000 helps Lake Erie Ballet Company cover the remaining cost of bringing live orchestra music back to Erie’s Nutcracker.  After 67 years of Nutcracker at the Warner, we believe the sound of live musicians filling the theatre is an important part of this tradition.  

If you believe the music should play live, please consider making a donation today.

We are incredibly grateful to the generous supporter who stepped forward when we needed it most, to our musicians and conductor for their patience and understanding, and to everyone who has supported Erie’s Nutcracker.  We have a path forward. Now let's finish it together.