Audrey Wade, general assignment reporter

For the past 14 years, the Friends University ballet department has brought in guest artists and gathered dancers from the community for a full length annual performance of Marius Petipa’s “The Nutcracker.”

This winter, more than 85 dancers will gather for six performances. They will perform at 7 p.m. on Dec. 11-12, 18-19 and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 13 and 20. All performances will be in Sebits Auditorium in the Riney Fine Arts building.

Many of the 85 dancers involved are from Wichita and the surrounding area. Ballet majors from the University also have roles in the production. And with the funding of the Fred C. and Mary R. Koch Foundation, the University is able to bring in four special guest performers.

One of the guests, Dominic Walsh of the Dominic Walsh Dance Theatre in Houston, has been performing in the University’s production for 13 years. He also brought his company last spring to perform with the ballet department in the Spring Ballet.

Joining him the first weekend performances is Melody Herrera, a principal with Houston Ballet. Though Herrera hails from California, she began working for the Houston Ballet in 2001 and has been a principal since 2008.

Taking over the performances for the Dec. 18, 19 and 20 showings are two principal dancers with The New York City Ballet, Wendy Whelan and Philip Neal. Whelan has been a principal since 1991 and Neal has performed as a principal since 1992. They have both frequently performed in the University’s production of “The Nutcracker.”

“The Nutcracker” performance is one of two shows at Friends that run over two weekends each year. It is also one of the shows that frequently sell out in advance. Complementary tickets for students and staff are only available for the shows on Dec. 11-13.

Tickets cost $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. For more information, contact the Riney Fine Arts Center at 295-5537.