Erica Nork is no mere mouse.
The 11-year-old Andover girl is one of the dancers who brings to life an army of mice in the New England Civic Ballet's production of "The Nutcracker Ballet."
"It's a really fun role to play," Erica said. "You have your arch enemies and you're battling on stage, and it's really fun."
The New England Civic Ballet is staging Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker Ballet" for its 14th season at the Rogers Center for the Performing Arts at Merrimack College this weekend. A Christmas tradition, "The Nutcracker Ballet" plunges audiences into Clara's dream world of toy soldiers and sugar plum fairies.
According to company director Phyllis George, the New England Civic Ballet's production is a perennial favorite, thanks to the iconic music and story, as well as the talented dancers. Although most of the performers are still in school, she says audiences would never know it because of the caliber of the dancing.
Yet even people who come to see the ballet season after season will see something new. George says that the costumes, sets, and choreography are tweaked slightly every year because the company wants to give audiences something different.
This year, the production has brand-new backdrops, giving scenes like the party a whole new dimension. George also says they have a Christmas tree on stage that grows during the party scene.
Erica says the party scene is one of her favorites in the ballet.
"It's a lot of acting. It's almost like they're talking to you," she said. "It looks like they're making it up as they go and walking around. It just seems like a party."
The production features more than 65 dancers, ranging in age from 7 to 34. The New England Civic Ballet holds open auditions, drawing students from across the area, as well as other schools.
"It's really beautiful choreography," Erica says. "I just think it's a perfect family production. It's a lot of dancing and it's really beautiful."
George agrees, saying that families come year after year and often feel closer and more connected to this particular production of "The Nutcracker" because they know the dancers. She said families have made it an annual tradition to get all dressed up and see the ballet.
George says she loves seeing the little girls who come in wearing their velvet dresses, shiny Mary Jane shoes, and white tights. When Clara goes into the lobby to meet the children and sign autographs, the kids get so excited.
"It's like we just gave them a bag of candy," George says.
If you go
What: The New England Civic Ballet's "The Nutcracker Ballet."
Where: Rogers Center for the Performing Arts, Merrimack College, North Andover.
When: Friday, Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 12 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 13 at 2 pm (this matinee is nearly sold out). Matinee seating is limited
How: Tickets are $24 for adults, $22 for children and senior citizens; group rates available for groups of 20 or more. Learn more at www.newenglandcivicballet.org or by calling the studio at 978-975-0289.
