The lights dim and the crowd goes quiet, so quiet that the audience could hear a pin drop. The dancers hold their breaths, their hearts racing, until a bright light focuses in on them. They stare ahead into the pitch black audience. The dancers have been preparing their whole life for this moment.

Every year, St. Croix Ballet impresses a large audience with their version of “The Nutcracker.” The two act play was originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, and premiered for the first time in 1892. The play is made up of a wide range of characters, the most difficult role being the Sugar Plum Fairy.

In St. Croix Ballet’s 23rd production of “The Nutcracker,” the role of Sugar Plum Fairy will be shared by juniors Catherine Wessel, Emma Franke and Caitlyn McDermott.

Wessel explains, “St Croix Ballet has been putting on the annual Stillwater Nutcracker for over 20 years now.”

“The Nutcracker” is made up of a large cast that consists of talent from all different ages and genders. Two of these talented cast members attend Stillwater Area High school: Franke and Wessel.

Wessel said, “The Sugar Plum Fairy is the hardest, most advanced role that all three of us have worked super hard for. We have all worked our way up through all the roles as the years have gone by.”

There is no doubt that the “The Nutcracker” will be a brilliant performance due to the talent and work ethic the dancers involved in the production have. Constantly rehearsing, editing, and making changes, St. Croix’s dancers strive to be the best. Their goal is to put on a performance that will not be forgotten.

Franke said, “It’s taken a lot of hard work and dedication. I’ve given up a lot of time but it’s definitely worth it, because this has been my goal since I was little,” she added, “We practice up to 6 days a week for at least 2 hours at a time.”

Franke, along with the rest of the cast is always looking to see what they can improve to make the play an even better experience for the audience.

“You always have to look at yourself with an open mind and see what you need to fix about your dancing, but it’s fun, and nothing feels better than when you look at yourself and realize what you’ve accomplished,” said Franke.

The show will be performed the weekend of Nov. 29- Dec.1.

“The show is generally on Thanksgiving Weekend and is an awesome Christmas tradition,” said Wessel.

The amount of hard work and dedication all of the St. Croix Ballet dancers and cast members have put into perfecting their performance in “The Nutcracker” is amazing. The play is expected to turn out phenomenal and the dancers guarantee that it will be a night to remember. Their passion to dance will no doubt be exhibited in “The Nutcracker.”