• Photo Courtesy: Capital Ballet Theatre Facebook Page / Photo of Clara (Meghan Pearl)

LANSING, MI - Capital Ballet Theatre is preparing for their annual showcase of The Nutcracker. This will be the 38th year the show will be presented by the theatre.

The Nutcracker will be Artistic Director Gregory George's last show with the company after 21 years.

"Tradition is tradition. I think for the most part people understand The Nutcracker and people shy away from coming to see ballets because they feel they don't know anything about ballet or the steps. That's what's so fun you don't need to know, you just need to enjoy," George said. "This by the way will be may last season with the Capital Ballet Theatre for about 21 years so I am leaving the company after The Nutcracker, the Artistic Director is responsible for coordinating all of the sets, the costumes, props, dealing with financial issues of the company and the Board of Directors so it's pretty inclusive."

Many of those performing have been with the company since being very young.

Students such as Paris Patterson has been dancing with company since eight and is now 17, she is excited to be playing the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy as her last now.

"The Sugar Plum Fairy is in the land of sweets and it's the big final dance with the caviler and we dance for Clara and it's just fun," Patterson told us.

The show will be taking place Thanksgiving weekend at The Wharton Center for Performing Arts.

Tickets can be bought at the door or you can call 1-800-WHARTON.