Brigham City-Birthplace to Modern American Ballet

Have you ever wondered what the connection between Brigham City, The Nutcracker, Academy Building, and Ballet West is? Grab your favorite warm drink and join us for a brief story about the "Birthplace of Modern American Ballet".

Willam Farr Christensen, tenderly known as Mr. C, was a beloved and prominent figure in the ballet and dance world. Mr. C was the first person in America to choreograph a family-favorite production set to Tchaikovsky’s moving score, magical costumes, and fairytale sets, combined to create one of the most visually stunning productions of The Nutcracker in the world today. Mr. C’s vision in choreography sparked a moving cultural and artistic phenomenon that has lasted nearly a century.

Born in Brigham City in 1902 to Christian and Isabel Christensen, Mr. C received ballet training from his father and uncle at the family's Box Elder Academy of Music and Dancing. Mr. C and his brothers, Harold and Lew, later went on to change the face of ballet founding San Francisco Ballet, Portland Ballet, and the beloved Ballet West in Utah.

After dancing in vaudeville, Mr. C was appointed director of San Francisco Opera Ballet’s Oakland branch and a year later became the Company’s Ballet Master in 1937. This inspired him to bring Swan Lake to America in 1940. Because of this success, he soon brought The Nutcracker on Christmas Eve 1944 to San Francisco’s War Memorial Opera.

Mr. C later moved to Salt Lake City bringing his production of The Nutcracker to fans of all ages. Since 1955, Mr. C’s version of The Nutcracker has been the centerpiece of Salt Lake City’s Christmas festivities. Ballet West was founded in 1963 by Mr. C and left a lasting legacy in Utah.

In honor and recognition of the Christensen Family legacy, Brigham City has embraced the Nutcracker ballet as a symbol of the community's cultural heritage. The community hosts an annual Nutcracker Celebration every Holiday season with festive events, performances, treats, and displays inspired by the beloved ballet performance. The Nutcracker Celebration draws visitors from around Northern Utah and serves as a reminder of Brigham City's unique connection to the enchanting world of Ballet and the Nutcracker.

The Box Elder Academy of Music and Dancing was a beautiful 2-story structure built by the Christensen Family in 1903. The elegant two-story building measured 116×46 feet, with the upper floor used for dancing, and the lower level an open-air pavilion and refreshment area. In addition to well-attended dances, the Academy offered dance instruction. The Christensen family sold the Academy building in 1909, but its name and use continued for years to come. It was subsequently used as a roller skating rink, a bowling alley, and the office space for Thiokol Chemical Corporation. In 1953, the building was purchased to house American Sportswear, a clothing company. The building was vacated in 1980. Meticulous care has been taken to restore some of the most incredible features of the original dance academy – bringing history back to life, and honoring its rich heritage as the birthplace of Ballet West. Over the years, the Academy Building has welcomed thousands of visitors for weddings, school dances, conferences, and more. Currently managed and operated by the Box Elder Chamber of Commerce, it continues to be a cherished part of the community.