Every other year, when the Debra Franco Preparatory School of Dance performs the “The Nutcracker,” – the two-act ballet by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky — her students have the opportunity to try out for the many parts. And, truth be told, she said, no dancer leaves the studio without garnering a role in the holiday classic. 

It is, however, the older students who earn the top dancing spots, like the Snow Queen, the Dewdrop Fairy and, of course, the coveted Sugar Plum Fairy. But no dancer’s part is insignificant because, without even the tiny angels – who are Franco’s s youngest students – the production would not be as magical.

Thirteen-year-old Luella Lambiotte, who has many roles in this year’s performance – one of which is dancing in the “Waltz of the Flowers” – said this is her fifth year dancing in Franco’s production. 

“It’s just so fun, and I like the environment,” Luella said. “It’s like every other year, so it’s like refreshing just to do something new and getting like a new part.”

When Lachlan Lampkin, who is a 10trader and also in the production, heard Luella say she liked getting new parts each time the ballet is offered, she then asked her, “Do you like, look up to the older girls and think, ‘I want that part one day?’”

The answer from all the students was a resounding, “yes,” and this year Chloe Pettway is one of the “older girls.” She earned the lead part of the Dew Drop Fairy in “Waltz of the Flowers.”

“I have been doing ‘The Nutcracker’ for five or six years and this is my last year,” she said. “I am a senior this year and I kept coming back because I have a passion for dance.”

Through the years, Franco has also had professional dancers in lead roles, another opportunity for her students to grow and learn.

This year, students will be dancing alongside Franco’s daughter, Molleigh Wallace, who is a professional dancer.

Wallace said she has always been in her mother’s production of “The Nutcracker,” but coming back as a professional and performing is “definitely” different.

“This is my second time coming back to perform as a professional for Nutcracker and my second time doing Sugar Plum, and it’s a lot different because now I am on my own as far as rehearsals and learning performances,” Wallace said.

Although she may have to rehearse her parts on her own, Wallace said she does enjoy helping her mother’s students learn their parts.

“That’s been really fun to see them grow each year and come back and I get to give them little tips I’ve picked up along the way of my professional career,” she said.

Franco recalled the earliest Nutcracker performances were held in the 80s and all the dance studios participated using their most talented students.

“And then, I want to say in 1992, was the first year that (the Franco studio) did it.”

Franco said the reason she likes doing “The Nutcracker” with her students is because it gives them the chance to be part of a production, as opposed to just watching a stage performance.

And like her students conveyed, Franco said her students get a chance to “grow into” the different roles of the production.

Franco said she also likes to stay as close to the original choreography as much as possible.

“As much as we can, we use the Royal Ballet choreography, so (the students) can be exposed to the original choreography,” she said.

Some of the choreography must be tweaked due to the ages of the students, but Franco said even then she tries to stay as close as possible to the original choreography.

“The Nutcracker” ballet was first performed in 1892 at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg. It has since become a holiday tradition presented worldwide.

Franco’s studio will be performing “The Nutcracker” ballet beginning at 7 p.m. Dec. 21, at the Parkside Playhouse Theatre, 101 Iowa Ave. A matinee performance will be offered beginning at 2 p.m. Dec. 22.

Tickets are $15. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 601-638-7282.

For those interested in having photos made with some of the performers in their Nutcracker costumes, the Duff Green Mansion, 1114 1st East St., will be hosting an English Tea for children and adults beginning at 3 p.m. Dec. 15. The event will benefit the dance school. Tickets for tea are $40 for adults and $30 for children. For more information, call 601-636-6968.