One of the best winter traditions in Bloomington is the IU Ballet production, the Nutcracker. It’s that time of year again, and the production will be performed this Thursday through Sunday.

Ballet dancers performing in the Nutcracker have had to leave school early for the past month so they can attend rehearsals. This week, students in the nutcracker have had eight hour rehearsals every day of the week.

Two south students, sophomore Lola Kennedy and freshman Grace May, are in the ballet.

“The hardest part (about the performance) is missing school,” said May. May plays an officer, attendant and a trepak. With so much rehearsing, May finds it hard to find time for school work.

“The worst part is all of the rehearsals, being tired and your feet get beaten up,” said Kennedy.

Although the practice is grueling, the good outweighs the bad. Both May and Kennedy love the music and the costumes, which makes it fun for them.

“I get nostalgic at the Nutcracker because you can see how you have grown,” said Kennedy, who plays a trepak, a big mouse and a soldier. Each year, Kennedy has played a different role as she advances in her dancing. Seeing the characters she once played years ago brings back a lot of good memories.

Being a part of the ballet is a lot of work, but seeing as both May and Kennedy have been doing ballet for eight years, it is very rewarding.

See the Nutcracker at the Musical Arts Center this weekend, and support your fellow south students!