Guest Artist Spotlight: Toby Lewellen

You may recognize the Arabian lead in this year’s virtual production of The Nutcracker as long time guest artist Toby Lewellen of Ballet Arkansas! Toby’s first appearance as a BBT guest artist was as the Young Sweetheart in our 2012 production of Graduation Ball. Since 2014, Toby has taken on many roles in BBT’s Nutcracker productions, including a Party Scene father, Clara & Fritz’s father, the Spanish lead, the Arabian lead, and the Nutcracker Prince.

“I’ve always enjoyed coming to Boca Ballet,” Toby says. “I did my first professional guesting here. Now I’ve come 8 times, and everyone is always so welcoming. It’s really started to feel like coming to see my family every year!”

Toby Lewellen is originally from Peoria, Illinois, and attended Butler University, where he majored in Dance and Arts Administration. In his time at Ballet Arkansas, he has performed in lead roles in Agnes de Mille’s “The Other Pas de Deux,” Christopher Wheeldon’s “The American Pas de Deux,” and George Balanchine‘s “Who Cares?” He has also starred as Johnathan in Michael Fothergill’s Dracula, Siegfried in Act 2 of Swan Lake, as well as the Cavalier, Nutcracker Prince, and Snow King in Ballet Arkansas’ The Nutcracker. Toby is proud to be Community Cast Ballet Master for Ballet Arkansas. He also teaches at multiple studios In the Little Rock area.

We were thrilled to welcome Toby back this year, and we hope that you’ll tune in to our virtual presentation of The Nutcracker on December 12th and 13th to see Toby and other amazing guest artists and BBT dancers in this holiday classic! Tickets available here!