NATCHEZ — T’was the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, except Reagan Rabb and Beth Mullins.

The two girls play the audience’s guides in the Middleton School of Dance’s Christmas performance, “T’was the Night Before Christmas,” showing tonight only at the Natchez City Auditorium.

“It’s a Christmas tradition for a lot of people, and it’s so much fun,” Director Ann Gaudé said.

In the performance Rabb, 9, and Mullins, 11, play two little girls dreaming about Christmas. As they move across the stage, toys spring out of boxes and enchanted characters come out to greet them.

“We’re always in and out of the show,” Rabb said.

Mullins said the bigger parts in performances often go to the school’s older students and younger children look up to them.

Now, she’s one of the students to whom the younger ones look up.

“It feels good,” Mullins said.

As the two dance across the stage, one of the characters that greets them is the snow queen, played by Miranda Allen, 17.

“I’m really grateful I have it because it’s a big part,” Allen said.

Kayla Wisner, 16. is playing another of the ballet’s quirky characters, one most people will be familiar with — The Grinch.

“The costume’s definitely very interesting,” Wisner said, joking, “The hair isn’t my first choice.”

But Wisner said she loves the character’s big entrance, since all the children scream when she enters the stage.

It’s all part of how the play spreads the Christmas spirit.

“It brings everything to life,” Wisner said.

Gaudé said the Christmas performance, unlike the spring performance, is all about fun.

“We want you to come and have a good time and leave with a smile on your face,” Gaudé said.

Tickets are $10 and are available at the door. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. tonight, and the show starts at 7 p.m.