Returning for its 33rd year, “The Nutcracker Ballet” will be performed Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14 and 15, at Stephens Auditorium.

“It’s one of those nice holiday things,” said Ellen Mullen, the cast coordinator for the show. “It has appeal to kids, but it’s not just for kids. So families like to come and a lot of families come every single year whether they have somebody in the cast that they’re going to see or not.” 

The dancers of all ages come from all over Central Iowa come to perform. Some have continued to come back to the ballet at 70 years of age. Professional dancers also make appearances in the show.

This year professional dancers Joy Voelker Motassian and Justin Michael Koertgen join the cast. Motassian returns for a fourth year as the Sugar Plum Fairy, and Koertgen as her Cavalier.

The auditions for the show are held on the second Sunday every September and a week later a cast — close to 300 members — is chosen. The cast rehearses every weekend leading up to the show.

Anyone 6 years or older can audition for the ballet. The person auditioning is also supposed to be taking ballet classes to stay in shape.

The show coordinators try to make as little changes as possible to the show. Although, over the years as more people have auditioned for the group, more dance numbers have been added.

“We tweak it a little bit here and there every year, but it’s a lot the same as well. It’s very much tradition for it to be the same,” Mullen said. “While the show doesn’t sell out, it usually sells well every year.”

Tickets are on sale at the north entrance of Stephens Auditorium.