Fighting for “shotgun” is one of those small issues that causes problems between siblings — no matter how well they get along. The Hillman sisters are no exception.

Although there is shouting, name-calling, fist-fights and belongings being thrown into the streets, it is all forgotten on the stage as those small trifles turn into love and support.

These four sisters — 8-year-old Christy (an angel), 12-year-old Stephanie (Big Mother Ginger Kid), 14-year-old Becci (a Russian tumbler) and 16-year-old Jennifer (an Indian Boy) — have made a family tradition out of the Christmas tradition, “The Nutcracker Ballet.”

“It all began when their grandma brought us and we found out the girls could audition,” Mary Hillman, the girls’ mother, said. “We looked at the back of the program and called around and the next year, Jennifer and Becci began to audition.”

All performers for the annual ballet at Stephens Auditorium come from local dance and tumbling groups. The only requirement for those who wish to try out is that they must be at least 8 years old.

At the time of their first auditions, only two of the Hillman girls qualified. But, as each year has passed by and as each one has become old enough, they all have tried out. This is the first year, however, that all four sisters will perform together.

“The first time we tried out, no one made it,” Stephanie said. “We always make it our second year and we always start out as angels.

“Christy is the only one who made it her first year,” she continued. “But she is an angel.”

All of the girls are excited about this year’s performance and all enjoy The Nutcracker; however, they admit that it also has been difficult at times.

Jennifer, Becci and Stephanie are involved in several after-school extra-curricular activities, including cheerleading, choir, band, sports and dance and tumbling classes.

“It gets hectic when you have band rehearsal in the morning and basketball practice after school and have to drive from Grand Junction to Ames for evening rehearsal,” Becci said.

“I don’t have to miss [‘The Nutcracker’] practices, but I sometimes have trouble with regular dance classes and I’ve missed one tumbling class,” Stephanie added.

And they all sighed when they mentioned that even Christy’s school Christmas concert had to be scheduled so that her class could perform first and so she wouldn’t miss the performance Friday night.

But keeping up with extra-curricular activities is not the only difficulty the girls face.

Jennifer and Becci looked at each other and admitted that it gets hard to keep up with homework and sleep. “But no one is getting behind,” Becci said with a shrug.

“We bring our homework and do it when we don’t have to be on stage,” Stephanie said. “And the other night I slept back in a double locker.”

But the two months of grueling schedules, car-pooling every night (sometimes having to bring two cars to work with everyone’s schedules) and slight irritability between the girls after a long day, is worth it for them.

“It’s worth the sacrifices because it’s a one time deal every year,” Stephanie said. “Before you know it, you’re a senior and it’s your last year.

“I feel lucky and fortunate to be in [‘The Nutcracker’],” she continued. “Most people try out for it and get their hopes up. When they don’t make it, it hurts their feelings but when you do get in it, you make a lot of friends and pen pals.”

Jennifer and Becci agreed. “You meet a lot of cool people that come from all over,” Becci said. “Sometimes we see them when we’re at the mall and at dance conventions and that’s always nice.”

“Besides making friends, you make connections for the better parts next year,” Jennifer, the Indian Boy, added.

The biggest challenge for the girls goes back to the stage.

“The hardest part is when you’re backstage and you peek out and see all of the people out there,” Stephanie said. “But you remember to dance. Sometimes the hardest part is to remember to smile. Sometimes I never get that part right.”

The Hillman sisters will be performing this weekend in the 17th annual “Nutcracker Ballet.” Performances are tonight and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $8 to $10 for ISU students and $10 to $12 general admission and are still available through the Iowa State Center Ticket Office and all TicketMaster locations.