All the ingredients for a magical performance of “The Nutcracker” are in place at Margaret Martin Performing Arts Center.

Lee W. Partridge and Teresa R. Burns have worked with Natchez Ballet Academy Students since September to prepare for performances at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Costumes have been fitted, and their colorful display alone presents a dazzling scene on the stage at Martin Center, 64 Homochitto St.

Tickets, $10 for balcony seats and $7 for orchestra, are on sale at the center and at One of a Kind on Main Street.

The handsome and talented Anthony “Tony” Neumann has returned to perform in lead male roles, having come for key rehearsals in the weeks leading up to opening night.

The stage is set. The props are freshened. New surprises have been added, as is a custom, Partridge said.

“Each year we try to add a little something new, whether it’s a new costume or something else that is special,” she said.

Since 1984 the academy has provided the holiday treat for Natchez-area audiences, and Partridge said with each year the performance matures.

“The first year we just did portions of the ballet. We didn’t have a male dancer at all,” she said. Then she located dancers to come, some for more than one year and some just for a one-time appearance in Natchez.

“Then we found Tony. We were so thrilled to meet him when he came with Ballet Mississippi to do a performance of the Cinderella ballet,” Partridge said.

The fit has been perfect, she said. “Some guest artists do not participate in anything. They do their part and that’s all, but with Tony it has been different.”

Neumann, a native of Rochester, Minn., has danced for many years, including with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Saddler’s Wells Royal Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, Cleveland Ballet and other companies across the United States.

Now living in Shreveport, La., he spends some of his time working with the Shreveport Regional Arts Council as dance teacher. “I teach inner city kids,” he said. “And they are festive. I hope I can teach them that instead of getting into trouble they can go toward dance.”

He continues to work in Mississippi as assistant production manager for the International Ballet Competition. The holiday season keeps him busy, too, as he takes guest roles in “The Nutcracker” not only in Natchez but also in Houston, Atlanta, Jackson and LaCrosse, Wis., among other locations.

Neumann has known many of the older dancers in this year’s Natchez production since they were very small children. “I held this one in my arms when she was a baby,” he said of Noble-Bates Young, who will play the role of Clara.

The affection between Neumann and the students is evident, as they work and talk together. “I think of them as family,” he said. “I know them and they know me. I try to make them as comfortable as possible.”

Caroline Shull has danced for 14 years, and her hard work paid off this year when she was selected to dance the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy. “It’s a challenge to do, and I have had to train to do it,” she said. At 17 and in her senior year at Cathedral High School, Shull said she is excited about the upcoming performances.

Others in the cast are:

Margaret Williams, head mouse; and mice Hannah Gordon, Alexa Mallory, Catherine Myers and Cindeka Smith; Caroline Crouch, head soldier; and soldiers Molly Feltus, Lauren Pope, Chelsea Stewart and Clairessa Wilson.

Neumann will dance the role of the Mouse King as well as the Prince. Snowflakes will be Rachel Garvin, Lauren Jones, Jessie McCann, Charnette Miller, Lauren Trippe, Katie Tumminello, Claire White and Kate Williams.

Stephanie McIntosh will dance the role of the Snow Queen. Angels will be Mary Catherine Butler, Molly Feltus, Hannah Gordon, Catherine Myers, Lauren Pope, Cindeka Smith, Chelsea Stewart and Clairessa Wilson.

Robert Pully will play the role of Mother Ginger. The Spanish role will be danced by Kate Williams; the Arabian by Lauren Trippe; the Chinese by Rachel Garvin and Katie Tumminello; and the Russian by Lauren Jones.

Jessie McCann will be Lead Flute; other flutes will be Mary Beth Aubic, Joelle Blackwood, Charnette Miller and Claire White.

Flowers will be Mary Beth Aubic, Pam Blackmore, Joelle Blackwood, Caroline Crouch, Christie Franklin, Ashley Graham, Diane Harper, Caitlin Johnson, Jessie McCann and Amanda Trippe.

Stephanie McIntosh will dance the role of the Dew Drop Fairy.