BLACKFOOT — Members of Paunie’s School of Dance will perform the classic Christmas ballet “The Nutcracker” tonight and Monday. The event will take place at the Blackfoot Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. on both nights, and admission is free.

    “It’s my gift to the community,” said Paunie VanOrden, owner of the school and head of the Rockie Mountain Dance Theatre company, adding that she wants everyone to be able to afford to attend the event. VanOrden said it has been a decade since her school has performed “The Nutcracker” and her roughly 135 dancers have been practicing their roles for the past year and a half in preparation of the event.

    “They’ve been dancing hard. Most have gone through three pairs of toe shoes since September,” she said.

    Although it’s not an easy show to put together, VanOrden said a large production like this challenges her students and helps them to improve their skills.

    “I love the kids and I love to see them grow in their talents,” she said. “It’s what makes my life worthwhile.”

    Most of the scenes will follow the authentic Russian version of the show, VanOrden said, but she has thrown in a few extra parts to include some of her younger dancers.

    “(We’ve added) a dream scene when Clara goes to sleep by the fireplace,” she said. “The rest of it’s the same.”

    The show is about a girl named Clara who is able to journey to the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets after she receives a magical nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve, and the performance includes toy soldiers, battling mice, dancing snowflakes and waltzing flowers, according to the Blackfoot Performing Arts Center’s website.

    VanOrden said three dancers are portraying Clara on different nights of the show this year. Ashley Hatch performed the part on Friday night, while Sadie Morrell will step into the part tonight. Bridgett Burt will give the last performance on Monday.

    Misha Tomin plays the part of the Nutcracker, VanOrden said, and her adult nephew, Matthew Cornell Thomas, is performing most of the lead male roles. She hopes people will attend the event to not only see a quality show, but to support the dancers who have worked hard to prepare over the past year and a half.

    “It’s crazy doing a program like this, but there is a lot of satisfaction in doing the choreography and seeing the kids progress,” she said.

    For more information about the event, visit the “Community Events” section at www.blackfootpac.com.