The Nutcracker Cast 2004
Parkside Performing Arts Company was founded in September of 1988 under the direction of Laura S. Dutton. It began with 19 members and has since grown into a Senior and Junior Company with approximately 50 members.
PPAC is dedicated to bringing quality productions to the public, at an affordable price, while nurturing and educating young performers and audience members in the arts.
PPAC performs The Nutcracker annually. In December of 2007, the company celebrated its 20th Anniversary of bringing this holiday tradition to the Delaware County Area in Pennsylvania. This special event took place in our new theater, Ridley Community Center, Folsom, PA. Over the past 20 years the company has performed in several different locations including: Swarthmore College, Neumann College, and Media Theater. Each year hundreds of local school children and senior groups attend our special abridged version at a discounted price. The community can enjoy the full length production during the weekend. For more information on The Nutcracker 2009 please see the Nutcracker 2009 tab above.
In addition to The Nutcracker, PPAC in active in the local community. The group has appeared in the Brookhaven Holiday Parade, Granite Run Mall Evening of Giving, Parkside Borough Community Day, and at various area nursing and retirement facilities.
In the spring, many members of PPAC participate in local dance competitions. Finally, every other year, PPAC sponsors a performing arts trip. This experience gives the dancers an opportunity to dance on a professional stage and at the same time bring their craft to a much wider audience. Past trips have included dancing aboard Royal Caribbean’s cruise to Cozumel and Grand Caymen (2009) and Bermuda (2007), Celebrity cruise to Bermuda (2005), and The Big Red Boat cruise to Bahama (2001); as well as in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom (2003 and 1998).