The Brownstone Center for the Arts at Pearl River Community College will host the South Mississippi Ballet Theatre as it performs its annual premier event, the Nutcracker.

The performance will take place Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 17 at 2:30 p.m.

“Each year, we change aspects of the choreography, costumes, and sometimes even the characters,” Artistic Director Arkadiy Orohovsky said. “This means our shows are never identical from year to year which creates new magic and anticipation for both our audience and our dancers.”

Over 50 dancers, from beginners to international dancers, will take part in this year’s Nutcracker, Orohovsky said.

“The dedication and passion that our dancers have for ballet is remarkable,” Ballet Mistress Katya Orohovsky said. “We are so incredibly proud of each and every one of them. We hope that the community will come out and support them.”

The ballet will also include a performance by Picayune native and gymnast Elise Duhon.

A VIP experience called the “Sugarplum Fairy Tea,” which includes lunch and premium seating, will be available for $45. Regular seating tickets will be sold for $15.

To purchase tickets, you can call 601-403-1180 or visit brownpapertickets.com and search “Nutcracker Brownstone” in the search bar. The South Mississippi Ballet Theatre will also perform at the Mannoni Performing Arts Center at the University of Southern Mississippi on Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Dec. 10 at 2:30 p.m. For tickets, call 1-800-844-TICK or visit southernmisstickets.com.

“Even if you’ve never seen The Nutcracker, or ballet just doesn’t seem to be ‘your thing,’ I highly encourage you to come out and support our dancers this season, there is something for everyone to enjoy,” Arkadiy Orohovsky said.