Photo submitted by Rob Sigler Photography Tavares White is pictured as the Prince and Paisley Wilson is pictured as Clara. They will be featured in December’s production of The Nutcracker by the Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet.

The Reg Lenna Center for the Arts will host the Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14.

A special school performance will be held on Thursday, Dec. 11, at 10 a.m.

For many families across Chautauqua County, the Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet’s production of Nutcracker has become a holiday tradition. The story follows young Clara, who drifts into a dream after receiving a mysterious nutcracker from her eccentric godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer. Her adventure unfolds with a thrilling battle against the Rat King and a wondrous voyage to the Kingdom of Sweets, where dancers from around the world perform in her honor.

This year’s Clara and Nutcracker Prince will be performed by Paisley Wilson and Tavares White, with featured soloists Annie Johnson, Charley Marshall, Reagan Howard, Gracie Watkins, Isabella Wilder, Hadley Olson, and Oakley Wilson. All are upper level students at the Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet.

Special guest performers include: Michael Patterson as Herr Drosselmeyer, Elizabeth Raible as the Grandmother, Grace Gibbons as the Rat Queen, and Nigil Weinman as the Battle Prince. Nearly 70 dancers from the Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet, Patterson School of Ballet, The Studio, and the wider community will bring the holiday classic to life on stage.

Tickets are available now at reglenna.com or by calling the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts Box Office at 716-484-7070. Educators and group organizers interested in the Friday, Dec. 11 school performance at 10 a.m. may contact the Reg Lenna Box Office for reservations.

Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the state Legislature. Additional support is provided by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo and the Oliver G. & Sarah Sloan Bauman Fund for the Arts, The Lenna Foundation and the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.