Only on ABC-7: Behind the scenes of El Paso’s 10th annual ‘Nutcracker’ performance

Over ten years of “The Nutracker” by the El Paso Ballet Theatre company, ballerinas say the show has evolved tremendously.

“We’ve worked so hard,” said Lesley Lopez, the Sugar Plum Fairy. “For it to be ten years, it is kind of a milestone for us. We did start as a small studio.”

Lopez said a total of 150 people worked on the ballet, which showcased 90 performers.

“It was an amazing experience for me to find myself through dance,” said Rebecca Terrazas, who told ABC-7 she has performed in the show every year. “Having ten Nutcrackers is just a great accomplishment for me.”

A number of the performers were young children, who dressed up as mice in the performance. Some of the child actors say they aspire to be graceful ballerinas like Terrazas and Lopez.

“They’re kind of the reason that all the younger kids are here,” said 11-year-old Claire Ancell. “They want to be just like those people.”

Sunday afternoon was the final performance of 2018, but tickets this year went on sale five months before the show.

“It’s really cool to be part of it all,” said 12-year-old Claire Whitelaw, who played “Fritz.”