As vibrant costumes, colorful sets and lavish choreography set the stage for the Pacific Northwest Ballet's 25th Anniversary of the Nutcracker, amongst the ballet slippers and number of dancers that will twirl on stage are three of our very own Ballardites.

Dressed as the Little Boy, an infantry officer and a scrim mouse, the Haskin siblings of Sunset Hill auditioned in September and have been rehearsing since then for their opening night to shine the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Having a set of siblings perform all together is a rarity but second-grader Jack said it's kind of like family time together.

In his first year to perform on stage for the Nutcracker, Jack's sisters fifth-grader Caroline and eighth-grader Grace are two and four year veterans and have no problem showing Jack the ropes.

"All Pacific Northwest Ballet students can be in the Nutcracker production," said Anne, mother of the Haskin kids. "Grace dances six days a week, five hours a day, here their friends become the ballet dancers. At the age of eight they can audition to be in the school here, they've all started taking classes."

With their lives committed to the show, Greg Tucker Media Relations Manager for Pacific Northwest Ballet said when they audition for the Nutcracker they are basically told that they must be available at all times and cannot request day off.

"Jack's role as Little Boy is tripled casted while the girls are doubled casted. We plan to always get that call, it can be a matter of five minutes so you travel around with your bag," said Anne.

With their day only being halfway done once they get out of school, practice begins at 3:30 p.m. and can last till about 8 or 9:30 p.m.

"It's a discipline and the kids by and large have been very good at managing time," Anne said.

Enjoying their chance to be in the production, the siblings prepare themselves mentally and never get tired of singing and listening to the show's soundtrack in the car.

Casted in 21 performances this season and sharing their most favorite feeling of being on stage and performing in front of lots of people, the Haskin kids also enjoy regular kid stuff too, like playing for their school soccer teams at St. Joseph's on Capitol Hill.

"The adult dancers are part of the experience too. It's great for the kids because they are really very kind and for them it's like dancing with their idols. They see them on a daily basis and get the chance to be with them on stage. The camaraderie creates a feeling like you're a part of something," said Anne.

For more information on the Nutcracker and to purchase tickets for a show visit www.pnb.org/season/nutcracker/.

Allison Espiritu may be reached at 783-1244 or allisone@robinsonnews.com.