The holiday magic is beginning to sparkle at Atlanta Ballet—it's just 100 days until Christmas, and the countdown to The Nutcracker has officially started!

Students from the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education auditioned for the roles of Chicks, Young Mice, Toy Soldiers, and Party Children, and they will soon begin rehearsing alongside dancers from Atlanta Ballet and Atlanta Ballet 2. It won't be long before Tchaikovsky's enchanting score starts to echo in the halls of the Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre.

Drosselmeier, everyone’s favorite godfather and master of ceremonies, is brushing up on his cape-swishing etiquette, while Marie is engrossed in yet another book. And as for the Mouse King? We last saw him munching on cheese, but we know he's busy plotting revenge against our handsome Nutcracker Prince.

Let the countdown to Atlanta Ballet’s beloved holiday tradition begin! December 6 through 27 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Tickets are on sale now.

Atlanta Ballet dancers in The Nutcracker. Photo by Kim Kenney.