Pirouetting across the stage since 1965, Loyola University’s ballet program is celebrating 50 years of dance with the “Golden Jubilee of Dance.”

With a guest performance from the Loyola Symphony Orchestra, the concert is set to feature excerpts of the Grand Pas from the ballet “Paquita,” Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker Suite,” and other contemporary and character works. The ballet will run from Nov. 20 through Nov. 21 at 8 p.m. in Roussel Performance Hall. Tickets are priced at $12 general admission and $8 for students, seniors, faculty and staff.

The performance will bring a close to the anniversary after having special events, such as hosting the Valentina Kozlova International Semifinal Ballet Competition, that took place last spring.

The performance’s choreography is based on a prior production by Gayle Parmelee, associate professor emerita and former director of the Loyola Ballet Program, alongside excerpts from Laura Zambrano, director of the Loyola Ballet Program, Lucia Kuimova-Pettigrew, faculty member of the Preparatory Arts Program, and Cheryl O’Sullivan, co-artistic director of Komenka Ethnic Dance Ensemble.

Zambrano said that the event is much more than a simple holiday extravaganza and also helps Loyola’s mission of providing students with a liberal arts education in the Jesuit tradition.

Between the years 1638 and 1761, the art of ballet was a fundamental element to a Jesuit-run school for boys in France which, according to Zambrano, created and performed 102 ballets, tragedies, comedies and other theatrical forms.

“It is important to celebrate the jubilee to commemorate the beauty of expressive movement and uplifting music that this art form has enchanted Loyola and the New Orleans community with for the past 50 years,” Zambrano said.

Audrey Harmon, vocal performance junior, said she was excited to dance alongside a live orchestra. She said that there is an artistic and collaborative advantage for Zambrano and the dancers.

“This event is especially important because this is our 50th anniversary, and the opportunity to see us dance with the orchestra does not come very often, and it will certainly be a treat,” Harmon said.

Fellow performer Kate Blasco, mass communication freshman, will be performing for the first time with the ballet program and is looking forward to getting everyone into the holiday spirit with their excerpts of “The Nutcracker.”

“We have been working on this ballet for months so that people can enjoy the performance. Ballet is such an amazing art form that should allow you to relax and appreciate the moment,” Blasco said.

Harmon said that even though the ballet department is celebrating 50 years, the other performances put on throughout the year are just as important and fellow students should support the department by attending.

“This program has come a long way, and so many people have worked hard to keep it running,” Harmon said. “A program that encourages the development of the minds and bodies of girls, and some boys, in such a beautiful, traditional way should certainly be celebrated.”