Westport’s Academy of Dance presented their 33rd annual production of “The Nutcracker” at Staples on Dec. 6 and 7. There were three shows in total, with two on Dec. 6 at 3:00 and 7:00 and a matinee on Dec. 7 at 2:00.

The ballet tells the story of the Christmas Eve celebration of a family and a girl Clara, who is part of a wintry fairy tale with her nutcracker doll and characters like sugar plum fairies, toy soldiers and a rat king. The ballet ends with Clara waking up in bed after a celebration with the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Nutcracker Prince.

Cassie Cohen ’16 was one of the many Staples students involved in the production. She played the role of an adult in the party scene as well as the role of one of the Chinese.

“I think my favorite part about being in the show is the experience of getting to perform and also being with my friends both on and off stage,” she said.

Audience members admired the strength of many of the ballerinas like Cohen.

Tati Morales ’15 was in awe of the dance sequences, specifically the Sugar Plum Fairy performance.

“It was amazing to see everybody’s coordination and poise. I’m sure it took a lot of rehearsing to get where they are,” she said.

Another viewer, Jackie Abrams ’15, also enjoyed the show, as she doesn’t see ballets very often.

“This was a really impressive production and the costumes were beautiful,” Abrams said.

Renee Reiner ’15, who was Clara’s mother and a lead Arabian in the ballet, explained that the best part of being in her last Nutcracker production was dancing with her friends.

“They are all so amazing and such great girls and it is truly an honor dancing with them on stage,” Reiner said.