Studio K’s production of  “The Nutcracker” will return to the High Country on Saturday and Sunday with refashioned dances to fit an alternative stage.

Farthing Auditorium at Appalachian State University is closed for renovations, so the ballet will move this year to the Watauga High School stage.

Performances are set for 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday.

Practices began in August for the classic holiday production, and staff of Studio K had worked to scale down the dances to include fewer people on a more compact stage, said Lauren Greene, a ballet teacher at Studio K.

The performance won’t include the same backdrops and high-tech lighting as Farthing, but Greene said she thinks the creative approach will work for the ballet, which includes hundreds of local residents.

“It’s a great camaraderie of people, and everybody works together,” Greene said. “It’s a cheerful thing. It’s not meant to be stressful; it’s supposed to be fun.”

Kellyn Stamey returns this year as Clara, and Matt Backe will play the Nutcracker Prince.

Tickets are $9 for adults and $7 for students. Advance tickets are recommended due to the more limited seating. Visit http://www.nutcrackertickets.eventbrite.com to order tickets online.