Northern Dance Academy principal Liz Russell said the story revolved around a heroine, Clara, who falls asleep after a Christmas Eve party and enters a fantastical dream world.
"The show will be a magical Christmas treat with transformation scenes, Spanish, Arabian and Russian dances as well as mice, soldiers and a spectacular dragon. There will also be some closely guarded surprises," she said.
Kerikeri's Charlotte Gleeson, who was the star of La Fille Mal Gardee and now studies at the New Zealand School of Dance, was to played the lead role until a stress fracture of her foot put her out of action.
The Snow Queen will instead be performed by Megan Wright who, like Charlotte, is in her third year at the NZ School of Dance. She will be partnered by fellow student Luke Cooper.
The role of the Sugar Plum Fairy will be shared by Rosey Robb and Caitlin Munford-Stokes, both of Okaihau. The role of Clara will be shared by Lucia Avery and Katey Whitehead, while the Nutcracker Prince will be danced by Bjorn Aslund of Oromahoe.
Ms Russell said the academy's productions offered valuable stage experience to talented young Northlanders, helping to build their experience and confidence and boosting their chances of winning ballet scholarships to further their skills.
Nine academy students have gone on to full-time dance training. Kelsey Stokes, who started at the academy at 11, won the Sydney Eisteddfod McDonald's Ballet Scholarship in 2012 and now dances with the Australian Ballet Company.
The Nutcracker is based on the tale by Ernst Hoffmann and is set to music by Russian composer Tchaikovsky. It was first performed in St Petersburg in 1892 but the Kerikeri production will be set in the year 1915.
See www.turnercentre.co.nz or visit the venue for tickets.
