Young dancers take on lead roles in Christmas classic “The Nutcracker”

New York City Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” is a holiday classic that draws thousands to Lincoln Center each year.

The company achieved George Balanchine’s ballet every year since 1954. The show takes audiences from the grandeur of a glittering Christmas party to the dreamlike world of a young girl guided by a nutcracker turned prince. For young dancers, “The Prince” is a coveted role.

Hannon Hachett, 10, and Finlay McCurdy-Van Alstine, 11, are the dancers sharing the beloved role this year. The two are living the dream – and having a lot of fun doing it. Both started dancing around the age of three. Finlay said he doesn’t even remember what drew him to the art form.

“I think I liked using all my energy to do something fun, because I had a lot of energy,” Finlay said.

Now that energy is visible when each boy plays. They enjoy putting their own spin on classic choreography and thrive in front of large audiences in every performance.

“I just love it, the 2,500 people watching you,” Hannon said.

Stage fright doesn’t even cross the boys’ minds.

“I’m more afraid of going to swimming lessons than I am of getting on that stage,” Finlay said. “I’m looking forward to it.”

Dena Abergel, a School of American Ballet faculty member who helps choose the children’s roles, said it was a joy to see “The Nutcracker” give young dancers new opportunities every year.

“That’s something I love about The Nutcracker, year after year, because every year a new kid will have the opportunity to take the stage,” Abergel said. “It’s not supposed to be someone who looks exactly a certain way and acts a certain way. The Prince’s role is to become that character.”

The boys don’t think much about what comes next in “The Nutcracker.” But as the holiday season comes to an end, they know this moment is fleeting.

“The way I see it, it’s a really happy moment for me,” Finlay said. “So if I’m sad or depressed for some reason, I can come and look back at that moment. I can think, ‘Oh, that was really fun doing that.'”

Right now, they’re finding joy in every minute, on and off stage.

“It feels good to make people happy when they look at you and you do something and you make them feel good,” Finlay said. “And that’s a good feeling.”