‘Nutcracker’ will return to the Lake Placid Center for the Arts Saturday and Sunday. (Photo provided — Keegan Photography)

LAKE PLACID — The Lake Placid Center for the Arts and North Country Ballet Ensemble presents the 33rd annual performance of “Nutcracker at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1 and at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children, and are available by calling the LPCA box office at 518-523-2512 or online at www.lakeplacidarts.org.

In its 33rd season, the North Country Ballet Ensemble’s “Nutcracker” will entertain audiences with new choreography, and new faces.

Alice Schonbek, in her seventh season as artistic director, welcomes 65 local student dancers from seven dance schools in three counties, as well as 12 community members who perform in Acts 1 and 2.

NCBE artistic staff includes Resident Choreographer Terpsie Toon, in her 9th year; Michela Boschetto of New York City, an 11-year veteran; along with Kristen Glazier and Natalia Balina-Zborowska. Rebecca Kelly of New York City continues her 20-year relationship with the NCBE.

New York City professional dancers will be joining them for the 33rd season. Therese Wendler, currently a soloist with Dances Patrelle and formerly principal dancer with Connecticut Ballet and Rebecca Kelly Ballet will dance the role of Sugar Plum Fairy. Mikhail Ilyin will perform in the role of Cavalier. Ilyin,a native of St. Petersburg, Russia, received his training at the prestigious Vaganova Ballet Academy before moving to the United States in 1999. Mikhail has danced as soloist and principal dancer with Boston Ballet, Miami City Ballet and American Ballet Theater.

Lexi Coffin of Lake Placid will dance the role of Claire, while Jordan Osborne from Peru will perform as Fritz. Returning are Tyler Nye of New York City, as Uncle Drosselmeyer, and Karen Courtland Kelly, a former Olympian, as the Nutcracker.

The NCBE graduates two seniors this season, Morgan Broderick of Lake Placid, and Amber Winch of Wilmington. Broderick will perform in the role of King Mouse in the Battle Scene, in the ensemble of the Snow Scene, in the Spanish and Arabian Variations, and as the Dew Drop in Waltz of the Flowers. Winch will perform the role of Mouse Major in the Battle Scene, dance in the ensemble of the Snow Scene, in the Spanish and Arabian Variations, and as the Dew Drop in Waltz of the Flowers.

This year Erika Guay and Margaret Swick will renew their partnership to rework the lighting design. Look for new special effects in Act 2. Once again, the show’s visual appeal will be enhanced by a variety of set features, designed and produced by dedicated community members.