Suzy Gunter

Kitri Held performing as the Sugar Plum Fairy.

With Christmas coming up, people who celebrate are looking for something festive to do. I recommend seeing the Mid-Ohio Valley Ballet Company’s performance of “Nutcracker,” a Christmas ballet about a girl and the magical things she experiences after a party.

The Mid-Ohio Valley Ballet Company, located in Parkersburg, has been around since 1981. The company tours all around West Virginia, performing their ballet for both adults and children. 

Several schools take their students on field trips to see the dancers. They dance multiple shows per day, sometimes back-to-back.

“I love being on stage and the adrenaline rush that comes with it,” said Emillia Weltner, who dances as a snowflake, a mouse, a teen and a reed pipe.

The dancers have been working on “Nutcracker” since August. They put at least seven hours every week into practicing.

“I dance all the time, it’s not even funny anymore,” said Emma Holt, who also plays a snowflake, a mouse, a teen and a reed pipe.

Their first performance is on Dec. 1, at the Marietta High School Auditorium. They will have nine shows in total. Tickets for adults are $15 and $8 for children under 18.

“Why walk when you can dance, and dancers don’t need wings to fly,” said Violet Bevins, who plays as a snowflake, a mouse, a teen and a Chinese sweet.