Elizabeth Currin, front, plays the part of Clara in December 2022 in the Pendleton Ballet Theater production of “The Nutcracker.” The 2023 production will be the third year in a row that Currin, a seventh grader at Sunridge Middle School in Pendleton, has appeared as Clara.

PENDLETON — The story of “The Nutcracker” would not be possible without its central character, Clara.

For the third year in a row, Elizabeth Currin, a seventh grader at Sunridge Middle School in Pendleton, will play Clara in Pendleton Ballet Theatre’s annual holiday ballet. Currin said she loves the role and bringing Clara to life.

“At the beginning, Clara is definitely a little girl who doesn’t have manners and is kind of bratty, but then she is transported to this beautiful world and realizes, ‘huh, maybe everything is not about me,’ and gets everything put in perspective,” she said.

Currin said her favorite part of playing Clara is the view she gets during the performances. In the Land of Sweets, multiple dancers perform for Clara and the Prince and, as Clara, Currin sits on the landing of a staircase and is able to watch the dancers and the audience.

Currin said some people believe Clara is dreaming when she goes to the Land of Sweets, and other people believe she is transported.

“I’m definitely a transported. She moved realms,” Currin said.

Clara’s favorite scene she dances in is Mice and Soldiers. Her favorite to watch is Arabian.

Currin said the choreography has gotten harder each year.

“The lifts are different this year, and this year we’re really fine-tuning everything,” she said. “Now Miss Julie is really expecting more from me, and I think that’s really good.”

Miss Julie is PBT Director Julie Sneden Carlson.

Currin said the changes every year keep her wanting to reprise the role.

“Even though the changes are little, they’re big to me,” she said. “Just adding one little jete in here can completely change the trajectory of any piece. The more chances I have to do this, the more chances I have to better myself in dancing.”

Sneden Carlson said it has been fun to watch Currin grow up in the role.

“Two years ago, Elizabeth was an adorable little girl, and her dancing has matured while she has matured into a lovely young woman,” Sneden Carlson said. “She has an elegance now and a gracefulness now that she did not have two years ago. It’s like looking at a different girl. At her age, those years are enormous, and I’m very proud of her. She’s worked very hard.”

In addition to the dancing, Currin said one of the hardest parts is smiling during almost the entire show.

“Those muscles must be so strong,” she said with a laugh.

Currin said the dancers work hard to put on a good show for the audiences.

“It’s a really immersive story,” she said. “Instead of trying to be perfect, we try to keep the persona and keep the audience involved and alive.”

‘The Nutcracker’

Pendleton Ballet Theatre presents “The Nutcracker” at 7 p.m. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, and at 2 p.m. Dec. 2 and Dec. 3 at the Bob Clapp Theatre on the Blue Mountain Community College campus in Pendleton.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children younger than 12 and will be available at the door.