Dancers Juan Carlos Amy-Cordero and Yun-Kyung Kim star in the Eugene Ballet Company’s production of “The Nutcracker.”

In 1978, Toni Pimble and Riley Grannan founded the Eugene Ballet Company in Eugene. Since then, the dance company has performed in more than 100 cities in the United States and internationally in Canada, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Syria and Jordan.

In celebration of its 30th anniversary season, the Eugene Ballet Company will perform one of the most beloved classical ballets, “The Nutcracker.” The production will run Dec. 18 at the Historic Elsinore Theater in Salem and Dec. 19-21 at the Hult Center in Eugene.

As artistic director, Pimble has choreographed more than 60 works for the company. Her work is known for being innovative, appealing and provocative, according to the company’s Web site.

The Eugene Ballet Company is the first Oregon dance company to be a recipient of the Governor’s Art Award.

For “The Nutcracker,” the group shares the stage with the Eugene Symphony Orchestra, Oregon Festival Choirs and ballet students from the Eugene Ballet Academy. The production was designed by former Disney artist Don Carson.

The show runs two hours with one intermission and is appropriate for children ages 6 and older.

The Eugene Ballet Company will complete its anniversary season with the classical ballet “Swan Lake” (Feb. 14-15) and “Peter Pan” (April 18-19).

Tickets for the Salem performance range from $20 to $35, depending on seating. To purchase tickets, contact TicketsWest at 800-992-8499 or visit www.ticketswest.com.

Tickets for the Eugene performances range from $22 to $65, depending on seating. To purchase tickets, contact 541-682-5000 or visit www.hultcenter.org.

For more information on the Eugene Ballet Company, visit www.eugeneballet.org.