LITTLE ROCK — Two sisters from Siloam Springs will share the stage this weekend in Moscow Classical Ballet’s “The Nutcracker.”

Lillebeth Backes, 11, and her sister Brinklee Backes, 8, will be party scene participants in the production. Lillebeth says the dances are mostly fun and happy because they are at a Christmas party.

The Moscow Classical Ballet is one of the few remaining ballet companies supported by the Russian government, and it has performed in more than 30 countries, according to a Walton Arts Center press release. Auditions were held for local children to be part of this weekend’s production, and the Backes sisters were two of the 10 chosen. Formal dance training was not required, but many of the children take classes at area dance studios.

Lillebeth was in the Moscow Classical Ballet’s production last year, also as a party scene girl, and both girls have been in other productions of “The Nutcracker.” Lillebeth has played the roles of a mouse, a French corps member, Spanish corps member and a block.

Brinklee has performed as an angel, a snowflake and a mouse.

Both girls take Vaganova ballet classes at the Academy of Performing Arts in Tahlequah, Okla. Their mother, Angel Backes, says it is the closest place that offers this Russian style of ballet.

Lillebeth has been taking dance since she was 4, and Brinklee has been dancing for three years. With five levels offered at the academy, Lillebeth is in level 4 and Brinklee is in level 3. Their classes sometimes overlap, and the girls say they practice together at home and make up their own combinations.

Brinklee says that she likes “The Nutcracker” because it is a good story told with ballet.

Brinklee adds that it’s a funexperience to audition, and “it’s nice when you get a part.” Lillebeth says she likes being part of “The Nutcracker” because she loves dancing and wants to be a dancer when she grows up.

The girls are close friends, and Lillebeth says it is fun to be in the show with her sister. Their relationship also helps their dancing.

“We can encourage each other,” Brinklee says.

Whats Up, Pages 18 on 12/21/2012