Ricardo Dyer of Suffolk will perform in Butler Ballet’s 31st annual production of “The Nutcracker,” Dec. 5-8 in Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University in Indianapolis, Ind.

Butler Ballet’s performance of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet will feature 112 Butler dancers, plus 33 young dancers from the Indianapolis community. This year’s performance will be accompanied by the Butler Symphony Orchestra under the director of Richard Auldon Clark.

“It’s a great Nutcracker,” said Larry Attaway, chair of Butler’s Dance Department. “The students look wonderful, and we’re very excited about it.”

Many of the main roles have been double-cast to give Butler Ballet’s 34 seniors a chance to showcase their talents.

In a change from the past few years, the roles of Clara and Fritz will be danced by children from the Indianapolis community rather than a Butler Ballet dancer.