Due to a $100,000 donation from philanthropist Gloria Pope, California undergraduate students are eligible for $10 tickets for evening performances put on by Ballet San Jose. The tickets normally sell for $50-$90. The company used to be a counterpart to the Cleveland Ballet, but then the Cleveland branch went bankrupt. It took the generous donations of private patrons of the arts to save the San Jose ballet company, during a time when other ballet companies were suffering financially.

“We’re not here to just put on shows … we really want to focus on giving back to San Jose,” Ballet San Jose outreach and marketing associate Deborah Weber said.

On top of the three to five productions put on each year depending on the budget, Ballet San Jose will invite 5,000 children from various primary schools to a free showing of “The Nutcracker” this winter. Children in first to third grades will be brought into the dance studios and costume workshops to learn about the discipline, effort and skilled labor that are put into each and every production throughout the years.

The season opened Oct. 22-24 with “Giselle,” a classic French ballet featuring an international cast of dancers ages seven to 48, with choreography by world famous choreographer Dennis Nahat. From Dec. 11-26, “The Nutcracker” will dazzle audience members this holiday season with its classical costumes and unforgettable characters.

From Feb. 25-27, patrons will find themselves enveloped by the elegance and haunting beauty of “Swan Lake.” The season ends with the famous story of passion and jealousy known as “Carmen,” which will run from April 1-3.

“If you have not been to a Ballet San Jose show yet, you will be very, very pleasantly surprised,” Weber said.

According to Weber, students need to upload a copy of their student ID for verification, and either purchase tickets online or at the box office with a student ID card. It is best to sign up at least two days in advance, in order for the office administration to make sure the ID is valid, Weber said.

The discount applies only once for each of the four productions put on this season. Students may buy a maximum two tickets at a time.

In order to receive the discount, students must register online at http://www.studentsjballet.org.