As children pranced around the well-lit and creatively-designed stage during Tuesday night’s dress rehearsal of the Nutcracker at the Community Center Theater, the Sacramento Ballet prepared for another season of Sugar Plum Fairies.

Director of Production Kyle Lemoi, who has been with the company for three seasons, said he has done many Nutcracker productions around the country, but the stage setup and attention to detail is what sets the Sacramento production apart. 

 “The set was made in Russia and was designed by (Alan Vaes), who lives in New York,” he said. “Everything is hand painted and they painted it with dye.”

The stage setup is a recent addition to the company and has only been around for five seasons, according to Lemoi.

Even though the set is fairly new, the production is full of effects that have been used for decades, such as fake snow.

“The snow is confetti, basically, but it’s certified and flame-proofed,” Lemoi said.

He said the snow is one of the most memorable stage effects for some, but it is also one of the hardest effects for dancers to work with.

Fifth season company dancer Brick Middlekauff agreed.

“Dancing on top of the snow isn’t too bad,” she said. “But while it’s falling it gets in your eyes, in your mouth and up your nose.”

Middlekauff said even though the snow is a minor setback, it remains her favorite part of the Nutcracker, along with the company's collaboration with children.

Middlekauff has been involved in Sacramento’s Nutcracker production since she was five and she said working with children reminds her of her childhood.

“I can remember doing all of the child roles and rehearsing,” Middlekauff said. “And every time I watch the kid rehearsals, you can tell that all the kids just love it.”

This season 500 children will be involved in 14 showings of the Nutcracker.

Art Director Ron Cunningham said he wanted to make the production homey for the audience and having many children accomplish that.

“My theory is that Nutcracker is a holiday, family tradition,” he said.  “And when people in the audience are watching and they see all these kids, they’re really like their own kids, and I think that really resonates with families.”

Cunningham said the Sacramento Ballet has more children participants than any other Nutcracker production in the world.

Childhood participant Cheryl Konig said when she was involved in the production, during the mid-70s, there were only about 50 children in the Nutcracker.

“When Ron Cunningham took over, he took over about the mid-80s, he brought the trend in of adding so many children,” she said. “It’s just amazing.”

This season’s Nutcracker will also feature two guest dancers: Nina Baratova, a returning company dancer, and Melissa Sandvig from “So You Think You Can Dance,” who will share the sugar plum fairy role with company dancer Amanda Peet during the opening show as well as the Sweet Sunday performance.

“The opening night is the 500th performance of my Nutcracker,” Cunningham said. “We don’t typically have guest artist because I like to feature just my company; however, this being a very special one we invited special guests.”

Showings of the Nutcracker will be held Dec. 11 through Dec. 23 at the Community Center Theater. Ticket prices vary from $15 to $75.

For more information, visit sacballet.org