Carol Feille D'Avila enjoys hearing children in the audience laugh during a performance of the "Austin Children's Nutcracker."

D'Avila said the "Nutcracker" has always been for the children, both on stage and in the audience.

"Ours definitely lends itself to the family. Children get very excited, especially when the Rat King comes out," said D'Avila, owner and artistic director of the Austin City Ballet, a nonprofit that produces the "Austin Children's Nutcracker" each December.

Of the 50-plus cast members, all but about 12 are between the ages of 7 and 18. D'Avila said having a show with mostly children gives them the opportunity to dance in numerous, and often more challenging, roles than other "Nutcracker" performances might offer. There are also two casts so that major roles such as the character of Clara can be rotated among dancers. D'Avila said that at other ballet companies, children might only have just one role.

D'Avila said instructors also teach the dancers to be mindful of the sets and props and know their responsibilities during the show.

"People think it's children and it will be a recital, but they walk away thinking 'Wow, that was so professional,'" she said.

Many attendees are repeat customers, D'Avila said, coming from throughout the U.S.

"We have one family from Fort Worth that has been coming every year," she said.

Rehearsals began Aug. 25, and D'Avila said the dancers meet every Saturday from 11:30 a.m.–6 p.m. with some of the roles, such as the reed flutes and Spanish dancers, rehearsing during the week.

"[The children] get to do more complicated roles and grow more in their skills," D'Avila said. "By the beginning of the 'Nutcracker,' their skills have just completely morphed."

Madeleine D'Avila, Carol's 16-year-old daughter, said the Austin City Ballet's production of the "Nutcracker" is not like other large-scale productions. She is dancing several roles, including Clara, Party Girl, Russian, Snow Queen and Sugar Plum Fairy.

"Ours is a lot more meaningful and personal," Madeleine said. "You feel like we're performing for you."

Many of the children take classes at Austin City Ballet, but auditions are open to any child who would like to participate.

"Everyone gets along very well," 16-year-old dancer Emily Kruger said. "It doesn't ever feel like there's not a place for you."

Austin City Ballet Performing Arts Conservatory

In 1991, D'Avila formed the Austin Conservatory of the Arts and out of that created a nonprofit in 1999 called The Conservatory Dance Theatre. The name changed to the Austin City Ballet, and it merged with the Austin Conservatory of the Arts earlier in 2012 and relocated in June.

D'Avila began dancing at age 5, but after deciding not to pursue a professional dance career, she opted to open her own studio where her whole family has been involved. All three of her children, two girls and one boy, have danced at the studio, and even her husband designs the sets and constructs the dance floors.

Besides producing the "Austin Children's Nutcracker" each December, the nonprofit is part of the Austin City Ballet Performing Arts Conservatory, which offers ballet classes that focus on classical training as well as classes for modern and tap dance, classical jazz, and musical theater.

"We want them to be well-rounded and better know how to do everything," D'Avila said.

Austin City Ballet receives funding from the city, but it also hosts fundraisers, including an upcoming event in the spring called Celebrate Texas that will show the history of Austin, the pride of Texas and involve local actors and musicians.

D'Avila said the nonprofit relies heavily on parents and the community to help design the sets and sew costumes. Much of the sewing is done at the hands of Office Manager Julie Ratzesberger, who designs, constructs and even hand paints many of the costumes for shows.

Ratzesberger has worked at Austin City Ballet for 16 years.

"It's like being part of a family," she said.

The nonprofit's wardrobe closet contains its collection of costumes that are used year after year.

"We do everything," D'Avila said. "We don't have the resources to buy everything."

A special performance

On Dec. 13, the Austin City Ballet will have a special condensed performance of the "Nutcracker" with a special guest. Thirteen-year-old Ruthie from Pflugerville made a request through the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and South Texas to dance on stage.

"Her mom said she loves to be on stage and loves ballerinas," said Kathryn Draper, senior wish manager with the nonprofit. "She loves for people to watch her and clap for her."

Draper said Ruthie, who has a combination of different life-threatening illnesses, will learn choreography to dance the part of a ballerina doll and also be fitted for her custom tutu.

"We had some tears," D'Avila said upon learning of the opportunity to partner with Make-A-Wish. "We are excited."

A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales Dec. 13 will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The Nutcracker

• Dec. 7–9, 14–16
• Dougherty Arts Center, 1110 Barton Springs Road
• Tickets: $25 (13 and older), $15 (ages 3–12), free (younger than 3, if they sit on an adult's lap)
• For more information: 537-7045, 989-3363, www.austincityballet.org

Austin City Ballet, 13291 Pond Springs Road, 989-3363, www.austincityballet.org