Dance Arts Iowa’s production of “The Nutcracker” will return Sunday, Dec. 8, at 2 p.m. at Mount Vernon Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available at the door for $10 each.

The group was having one of their final studio rehearsals ahead of the production ahead of Thanksgiving holiday.

Allie Teague is playing the role of Drosselmeyer in the production.

“I’m usually one of the miscellaneous parts in the production,” Teague said. “This role gives me a chance to expand what I do in dance.”

Teague said that one of the changes this year is Drosselmeyer has much larger movements to draw attention to what he is doing, a change from parts she has played in the past.

Atticus Happoldt plays the role of The Nutcracker in the production.

“Just being here and dancing with my friends is fun,” Happoldt said.

Happoldt said this is his ninth year in dance, and the role is not that challenging.

“It’s a classic Christmas show we’ve put a lot of work into,” Happoldt said.

Reagan Ireland plays Clara in this year’s production.

“I get to be one of the main focuses of the show,” Ireland said.

Violet Olinger plays a number of roles in the production.

“It’s a lot of smaller solos I have throughout the show,” Olinger said. “

For her, it’s been a lot of practices on her duets and solos for the show that has been the minor challenges.

Jill Wilkins is one of the directors of the dance show.

“What I enjoy the most is it’s an opportunity for all of our dance instructors to collaborate and work together,” Wilkins said. “Our older and younger students also get an opportunity to work together.”

Courtenay Baker is another of the directors of the show.

“I love seeing how our dancers grow in their dance expertise year to year,” Baker said. “I also love that we have adults and families dancing in the party scene as part of this production.”

“It’s a wonderful community production that fits the Christmas theme,” Teague said.

“It’s a Christmas tradition,” Happoldt said.

“I think it’s a great show that shows the high level of talent in our community,” Wilkins said.

“It’s just a Midwestern Christmas tradition,” Baker said.