Every family has its own ways of making the holidays special. Whether it’s a quiet evening at home to celebrate Hanukkah, several hours bundled in scarves and mittens and caroling around the neighborhood or getting up at the crack of dawn for eggnog and unwrapping presents, everybody has their own traditions. For many people, especially families with children, one of these Christmastime staples is The Nutcracker Ballet.

For the 15th year in a row, Stephens Auditorium will play host to Clara, her treasured Nutcracker and dozens of fighting mice, whirling snowflakes and acrobatic Russians. The show will appear three times this weekend: Friday and Saturday nights at 7 p.m. and a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m.

This particular performance draws almost totally on local talent. Hundreds of area dancers auditioned for the different roles, and choreographers Robert Thomas and Miyoko Kato, a husband-and-wife team, once again add their magic touch to the stage.

“It’s a great experience that they bring to this since it is such a big production,” said Sara Huber, performing arts coordinator at the Iowa State Center. “With over 200 local dancers, it’s hard to get everything together. Robert and Miyoko plan the show well, get everything organized and make sure we have a great show every year.”

In addition to talented dancers and choreographers from central Iowa, The Nutcracker Ballet also features classically trained soloists who have such a passion for dance that they’ve made it their career. Christina Fagundes, a soloist with the American Ballet Theater, will enchant us all as the Sugar Plum Fairy. She has called some of the biggest names in the business “teacher”: Mikhail Baryshnikov, Natalia Makarova, Wilhelm Burmann and Diana Cartier, among others.

Maxim Belotserkovsky, also a soloist with the American Ballet Theater, will sweep the Sugar Plum Fairy off her feet in the role of the Cavalier. He has toured extensively with European ballet companies, and his experience includes such ballets as Sleeping Beauty, Giselle and Don Quichotte. Both dancers are new to the Stephens stage.

Tickets for The Nutcracker Ballet cost $10, $11 and $12; ISU students receive a $2 discount. Tickets are available at the Iowa State Center Box Office and all Ticketmaster outlets. Call 294-3347 for more info.