Nevada Ballet Theatre kicks off their 45th Anniversary, 2016-2017 season with Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's 1890 classic "The Sleeping Beauty." Staged by NBT's Artistic Director James Canfield after the original choreography of Marius Petipa and presented at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts in Reynolds Hall, the three act story ballet features familiar storybook characters and incorporates student dancers from the Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre. Performances are October 22 at 7:30 p.m. and October 23 at 2:00 p.m. In addition, ticket holders are encouraged to attend "Insights," a free discussion about the ballet's colorful history held in the Troesh Studio Theater 45 minutes before each show. For tickets starting at $29 call 702-749-2000 or go to www.thesmithcenter.com. NBT again teams with Cirque du Soleil for their ninth annual "A Choreographer's Showcase" which features original works created and performed by innovative company artists. A treat for the senses, performances are November 13, 19, and 20 at 1:00 p.m. in the Mystere Theatre at Treasure Island Hotel and Casino. For tickets starting at $25 call 702-894-7722 or go to www.treasureisland.com. In December at The Smith Center NBT presents Tchaikovsky's 1892 story ballet "The Nutcracker" with original choreography by Canfield. The beloved Yuletide tale, about Clara and her dream of a nutcracker prince who sweeps her away to a forest filled with magical creatures, is an annual holiday tradition. Select performances are accompanied by a live orchestra, and the show runs from December 10 through December 24 with eleven performances of various different curtain times. For tickets starting at $29, call 702-749-2000 or go to www.thesmithcenter.com. The Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Theater concludes their 2016 season with "Fall Season #9" at The Smith Center in Reynolds Hall, featuring three works choreographed by Founder and Artistic Director Bernard H. Gaddis. Two are world premieres. "Red Door" is a virtuoso ballet and "Carmen" is a contemporary remounting on the opera by Georges Bizet. And there's "Lotus," inspired by Lee Mullican's 1967 painting "Lotus Land" which hints at Greek myth, set to the music of Vaughan Williams. There's one show on November 11 at 7:30, with tickets starting at $24. Call 702-749-2000 or go to www.thesmithcenter.com. The UNLV Department of Dance opens their 2016-2017 concert season with "Together 6" at the Judy Bayley Theatre, their sixth shared choreography concert in partnership with Korea National Sport University Department of Dance featuring works by faculty and guests and danced by students. It runs on October 21 at 7:30 p.m. and October 22 at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are priced at $18 for general admission and $10 for students and seniors; call 702-895-2787 or go to www.pacboxoffice@unlv.edu. UNLV Dance also presents the student choreographed and danced fall concert "Migrating Motion" at Dance Studio One in November. These shows often sell out. Showtimes are November 17-20 at 7:30 p.m. and November 18-20 at 2:30 p.m. General admission is $18 and students and seniors are $10; call 702-895-2787 or go to www.pacboxoffice@unlv.edu.