A dancer waits to go on stage for the Waltz of the Snowflakes during a performance of Maine State Ballet's "The Nutcracker" at Merrill Auditorium in Portland on Tuesday. The abridged performance, for elementary school students, showed them some secrets behind the production, like how the Christmas tree grows taller and how it snows during the Waltz of the Snowflakes. The last performances are scheduled this weekend, with a 7 p.m. show on Friday, shows at 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, and a 2 p.m. show on Sunday.
Dancers perform a scene from Maine State Ballet's "The Nutcracker" at Merrill Auditorium in Portland on Tuesday. The abridged performance was for elementary school students.
Ellen Parkinson, left, and Jessica Bartlett wait in the wings to take to the stage during Tuesday's abridged performance of Maine State Ballet's "The Nutcracker" at Merrill Auditorium.
Confetti falls on the stage of Merrill Auditorium while dancers perform the Waltz of the Snowflakes during Maine State Ballet's "The Nutcracker" in Portland on Tuesday. The abridged performance was for elementary school students, showing them some secrets behind the production, like how it snows during the Waltz of the Snowflakes.
From left, Lucy Denton, Casey Ryan and Julia Lopez perform the Dance of the Marzipan Shepherdess from Maine State Ballet's "The Nutcracker" at Merrill Auditorium in Portland on Tuesday.
Madeline Miele, seated, and Emma Davis watch a dance from backstage during Tuesday's abridged performance of Maine State Ballet's "The Nutcracker" at Merrill Auditorium.
Dancers perform the Waltz of the Flowers from Maine State Ballet's "The Nutcracker" at Merrill Auditorium in Portland on Tuesday.
Dancers wait to take to the stage during Tuesday's performance of Maine State Ballet's "The Nutcracker" at Merrill Auditorium. The abridged performance was for elementary school students. The last performances are scheduled this weekend, with a 7 p.m. show on Friday, shows at 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, and a 2 p.m. show on Sunday.
Lucy Denton, center, and other dancers perform the Waltz of the Flowers from Maine State Ballet's "The Nutcracker" at Merrill Auditorium on Tuesday.
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