Costumes shimmer, pointe shoes tap against the floor, snow swirls in the air and dancers with flushed cheeks rush backstage to throw on another tutu.

Young dancers at the Ballet Slipper Conservatory, a nonprofit organization, are bringing the classic Christmas tale, “The Nutcracker,” to Whidbey on Dec. 13-14 at the Oak Harbor High School Performing Arts Center.

Girls as young as 8 years old take flight beneath the stage lights, twirling and leaping with surprising strength. For the older dancers, the pace is even faster; with up to seven costume changes each, they dart on and offstage like clockwork. In a production that normally takes 100 dancers, only 30 take on the impressive feat in Oak Harbor.

Hannah Brackeen, who plays the role of Clara, a young girl gifted a nutcracker toy, bring

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