NATCHEZ &8212; Wide-eyed girls of all ages enjoyed a table full of treats as they talked with the cast of the Natchez Ballet Academy&8217;s &8220;The Nutcracker&8221; at Twin Oaks Bed and Breakfast Saturday afternoon.

Regina Charboneau, owner of Twin Oaks, estimated that about 100 people were in attendance. Tickets for the tea cost $5 each, and all proceeds went toward the ballet academy.

&8220;It&8217;s a really good event for Natchez. We had our first guests from out of town this year, and we&8217;d like to promote it even more outside of town. It&8217;s a good cause, and it promotes the ballet,&8221; she said.

Dancers took the stage at Margaret Martin Performing Arts Center to perform &8220;The Nutcracker&8221; Friday and Saturday night, and the show will go on again this afternoon at 2. Many of those at the tea had already attended Friday night&8217;s showing.

Rebecca Scroggins said her 4-year-old daughter, Amber, who is in her first year of ballet class, loved &8220;The Nutcracker.&8221;

&8220;We went last night and she was mesmerized. When she grows up, she wants to be the belly dancer,&8221; Scroggins said.

Janie Hodges attends the play ever year, and said she always looks forward to seeing her niece, Alexa Mallory, perform. This year, Mallory plays a dewdrop fairy.

&8220;My favorite part of the performance is whenever she&8217;s on the stage. She started out when she was 4 years old as a little angel, and we&8217;ve followed her all the way.&8221;

Mia Ganaverie, 6, plays the part of an angel.

&8220;Being an angel is hard work,&8221; she said. &8220;I have to do angel stuff.&8221;

Ganaverie said her favorite part of ballet is twirling around.

Donielle Dennis attended the tea with her 2-year-old daughter, Laurel.

&8220;I think it&8217;s a wonderful idea that they&8217;re having this to benefit the Natchez ballet.&8221;

Dennis said she hopes to take her daughter to the ballet performance.

&8220;I think she&8217;d enjoy watching it. She has her own ballerina shoes and she likes to dance around.&8221;