Dancers from all over Texarkana will perform “The Nutcracker” at the Perot Theater, which will run from Dec. 4 through Dec. 6.

Student dancers feel a special connection to the annual show, and are very fond of the cast and crew.

“I love [‘The Nutcracker’] because I know so many people who perform in it,” sophomore Ben Goesl said. “It is like a tradition. We are very close and have been doing ‘The Nutcracker’ for a long time, so they are like my second family.”

Students have high aspirations for the show and the unprecedented choreography.  

“I’m really excited about the upcoming show,” freshman Madison Brown said. “It’s my favorite time of the year, and I’m excited to see all the different dances for this year because the teachers are trying to rearrange some and make them different than previous years.”

Although the hassle of school, homework and other miscellaneous activities can be overwhelming, “The Nutcracker” remains a top priority.

“It’s kind of difficult finding time for homework and projects around ‘Nutcracker’ practices, but it’s worth it,” freshman Alana Parks said. “I get to make new friends and share the same experience with them every year.”

Furthermore, students learn how to properly balance a busy life, and how to prioritize different extracurriculars.

“I’ve grown because I used to be able to do everything, but now I’ve had to really sit down and think about what I can and cannot do this year,” Brown said. “I just have to think about where my time needs to go most and which is more important to me.”

Brown is confident that the audience will love this year’s production of the Nutcracker.

“I really think the audience will like the show because it’s different than previous years,” Brown said. “All of the [dancers] have been working so hard this year, and I think they’re really going to like it.”