Local children will dance with Russia's famed Moscow Ballet during the performance of the "Great Russian Nutcracker," 3 and 7 p.m. Dec. 13, State Theatre Center for the Arts, Easton.

Russian flavor abounds throughout the Moscow Ballet's "Nutcracker." Elements of Russian folklore like Father Christmas, the Snow Maiden and traditional Russian costuming are featured in the production.

Seeing the "Nutcracker" is an annual holiday traditional for many area families. The Moscow Ballet's "Nutcracker" features a shower of "snowflakes" onto the audience.

Carolina Siscanu, 23, is a ballerina who travels from city to city in the United States, auditioning ballet class students for the chance to perform with the Moscow Ballet for the holiday show. As many as 100 children try out at each audition.

The children chosen are then trained by Siscanu in the "Nutcracker" choreography. At the "Nutcracker" performances, in what is a dream come true for many, the young dancers join the Moscow Ballet on stage.

Student dancers in Act I perform as: Party Children: Katie Hogan, Julia Snyder, Samantha Rutt, Alexis Harlow, Ashley Neilsen, Jordyn Dauter, Amanda Lindquist, Emma Haab, Emily Raneri, Ava Bender, Bree Seidel, Jacquelynn Howell, Evalyse Cole;

Mice : Alexa Erschen, Ashley Neilsen, Jordyn Dauter, Amanda Lindquist, Emily Raneri, Ava Bender, Bree Seidel, Evalyse Cole;

Snowflakes: Julia Snyder, Trinity Pahountis, Caitlin Follweiler, Sarah Longenderfer, Emma Haab, Ava Byrnes, Victoria Parks, Sophia Miklus;

Snow Maidens: Katie Hogan, Zoria Komperda, Alexa Erschen, Ashley Neilsen, Jenna DiCicco, Macenna Bergan, Emma Carver, Jordyn Dauter, Rebecca Docteroff, Juliet Hanna; and

Butterflies: Lauryn Bredlau, Alexis Harlow, Isabelle Cattie, Natalie Glasgow.

Act II student dancers perform as:

Spanish Variation: Bailey Storm, .Lauren Sweigert, Brooke Fulmer, Tricia White, Julia Snyder, Emma Haab;

Arabian Variation: Bailey Storm, Lauryn Bredlau, Brooke Fulmer, Tricia White;

Chinese Variation: Zoria Komperda, Jordyn Dauter, Isabelle Cattie, Emily Raneri;

Russian Variation: Lauryn Bredlau, Samantha Rutt, Alexa Erschen, Alexis Harlow, Natalie Glasgow, Bree Seidel; and

French Variation:.Julia Snyder, Emma Haab.

Siscanu is a native of Moldova, once part of the Soviet Union. She plays Clara's mother, as well as a snowflake, in the "Nutcracker" ballet. Siscanu has been dancing since she was nine and loves working with children during auditions and rehearsals.

"I love seeing what they can do," she says. "They really enjoy the process of learning. I am a funny teacher, too. I try to help them relax and make jokes with them. I give big hugs. They love big hugs."

The budding dancers look up to Siscanu and see her as a role model.

"I love the way they look at us [the Moscow Ballet dancers]," she says. "They look up at us like we are goddesses from heaven.

"We are giving them a chance to be onstage with professional dancers.

"It feels good. Every time we come into a city, there are kids already waiting. They are ready to show us their best. It is really, really beautiful."

The Moscow Ballet "Nutcracker" has become an annual tradition at the State Theatre.

Performed to Tchai-kovsky's complete score, the "Nutcracker" tells the traditional story of a young girl meeting her Prince on Christmas Eve.

Act I's Christmas Party includes magical toys, a growing clock, six-foot-tall Matrushka (Nesting) Dolls and falling snow. Act II features two dancers moving as one soaring "Dove of Peace" and the Land of Peace and Harmony, both exclusive to Moscow Ballet.

Moscow Ballet's "Nutcracker" is composed of award-winning principals and corps de ballet who perform Olympic-worthy leaps, lifts and pirouettes in the classic holiday tradition.

Ekaterina Bortiakova returns after garnering rave reviews in 2013. Bortiakova's partner Akzhol Mussakhanov is a native of Kazakhstan and laureate of several prestigious international ballet competitions.

Rising star Yuliya Aleinik received first place in Ukraine's "International Youth Classic Dance Competition" and in "Special Foundation of the President of Belarus for Talented Youth."

Artem Belov, premiering in the U.S. with Moscow Ballet, medaled at Kazan's International Ballet Competition and was first-place winner of the Rudolf Nureyev Foundation Competition.

Tickets: State Theatre Box Office, 453 Northampton St., Easton; statetheatre.org, 1-800-999-STATE, 610-252-3132