In George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, the mischievous boy named Fritz is the embodiment of trouble. He bickers with his sister Marie, stirs up trouble with the boys at the Christmas Eve party, and, of course, breaks the Nutcracker doll. Wherever Fritz goes, chaos seems to follow.

For a young dancer, though, the role of Fritz can be a big opportunity.

This season at New York City Ballet, two former Fritzes have moved up the ranks to play the most coveted children’s role of all: the Prince. Hannon Hatchett, 10, and Finlay McCurdy-Van Alstine, 11, both students at the School of American Ballet, will debut as the Prince — a character who requires both impressive acting and dancing skills. A Nutcracker soldier must transform from a stiff, mechanical figure into a graceful, dignified Prince.

The role demands bravery, elegance, and the ability to perform in front of a large audience. (The Nutcracker opens at Lincoln Center this Friday and runs through January 5.)

Hannon and Finlay are passionate performers with an infectious energy, but they also maintain a refreshing innocence. After watching them perform as Fritz, Dena Abergel and Arch Higgins — the children’s repertory director and associate director at City Ballet — knew the two would approach the Prince role with serious dedication.

“We were confident they’d take the role seriously,” said Abergel. “They are young, but to carry this ballet, you need to put in the work. And they’ve been doing just that: practicing and preparing for each rehearsal.”

The two are not only talented dancers but also supportive friends. They may not recall exactly when their friendship began, but as Hannon puts it: “We just started talking, kept talking, and became friends.”

Hannon, who previously appeared in two other City Ballet productions, made a strong impression as the young hero in Christopher Wheeldon’s Carnival of the Animals last winter. His mother, Callie Hatchett, a ballet teacher, is often amazed by how Hannon comes alive on stage. “At home, he’s just a playful 10-year-old boy,” she said. “But when he’s on stage, it’s like he transforms.”

Finlay, a sixth grader, and Hannon, a fifth grader, are both lively and thoughtful, with a passion for sports and other hobbies. Hannon plays baseball and basketball, and loves the Yankees and the Knicks, while Finlay, a Mets fan, is teaching himself guitar.

“I’m not having much luck with that,” Finlay admits with a laugh. “I do a lot of drawing and reading, and I love hanging out with my friends. But I don’t have a lot of time, and neither do they.”

Finlay’s parents, both musicians, enrolled him in dance classes when he was just three years old. It wasn’t something they pushed; after a playdate at a local studio, Finlay simply asked to go back. “He told us he loved it and wanted to keep going,” says his mother, Christa Van Alstine. “It just clicked for him.”

Van Alstine and her husband are in awe of Finlay’s deep connection to ballet. “It helps him focus, keeps him busy, and brings out his creativity,” she says. “Ballet is structured but offers freedom too, and that balance works for him.”

Finlay’s younger brother also attends the ballet school, and though it’s a lot to juggle, the family finds it all worthwhile. “Seeing him grow through roles like Fritz was so rewarding,” Van Alstine says. “The Prince is a challenge, but it’s an opportunity for him to push himself, and that’s what’s most important.”

As musicians, they understand the value of hard work and improvement. “You’re always working on getting better, both as an artist and as a person,” Van Alstine says.

Below is an edited version of a conversation with these two young dancers, who were photographed in various moments of their daily lives — at home, rehearsals, and performing on stage at Lincoln Center — by photographer Stella Blackmon. They may be feeling the pressure, but they know this is where the fun truly begins.

How did you first discover ballet?

HANNON
My mom’s a dance teacher, and one of my earliest memories is when I was 6. She asked her dancers, “What does rond de jambe mean?” I wrote “circle of the leg” on some sticky notes and put them on her bench. She laughed — it was pretty funny!

How did you get into the School of American Ballet?

FINLAY
I watched a documentary called On Pointe on Disney+. It inspired me to pursue ballet, and I knew I wanted to be a part of what they were doing.

How old were you when you watched it?

FINLAY
I was about 7. I told my mom, “I want to be that guy — the Nutcracker Prince.” She told me that the School of American Ballet was for kids who want to become professional dancers, and I said, “Well, if I’m going to do ballet, I want to do it there.” So she signed me up for the audition.

What was your reaction when you found out you’d be playing the Prince?

FINLAY
I didn’t believe it at first. I was in the car driving home from ballet class, and my dad said, “Mom wants to call you.” My mom had received the news while she was in Scotland. I didn’t really process it at the time, but about an hour later, I realized: “Wait a minute. I’m actually going to do this!” It was amazing.

HANNON
I was just playing games in my room when my mom called me over to the living room. She showed me the news — I’d been cast in The Nutcracker. I started jumping up and down! But then, after a moment, I thought about all the work ahead of me: the battle scene, the second act, the party scene.

What are you most excited about?

HANNON
You go first.

FINLAY
Oh, I don’t mind. You go.

HANNON
The best part is fighting the Mouse King. I get to battle him with a sword. [He mimics a fight, swishing his sword.] There’s a lot of tension, but in the end, I win because Marie throws her shoe, and I defeat him.

FINLAY
I love playing the Prince because there are so many great scenes. The battle scene is really fun, but my favorite is the pantomime scene, where I tell the story of the battle to everyone in the Land of Sweets.

How do you want your Prince to be?

HANNON
A prince should be kind, elegant, and smooth. He’s not just walking like anyone else. He’s walking with grace, as if floating on the balls of his feet.

You’ll both be doing the same choreography, but how do you think you’re different?

HANNON
Well, for one, Finlay has blond hair.

FINLAY
And Hannon has brown hair!

HANNON
Beyond that, when I watch you in rehearsals, you take things slower. You’re in the back of the party scene, extending your arm like you’re shaking hands.

FINLAY
I like taking things slower.

HANNON
I prefer things at a medium pace — not too fast, but just enough to keep the energy moving.

What were your experiences like playing Fritz?

HANNON
During my performances, I had to be really annoying — mean to Marie, silly with the boys. It was fun to just be mischievous.

FINLAY
I loved playing Fritz. It’s a key role. If Fritz hadn’t broken the Nutcracker or been mean to Marie, the whole story would have been different.

What’s it like performing on stage?

FINLAY
It’s incredible. The stage is so big, you feel tiny on it.

HANNON
In the theater, there are 2,500 people watching, and during the pantomime, all the attention is on you. It can be nerve-wracking, but it’s also exciting. Everyone is watching you — it’s your moment.

FINLAY
I get nervous too. If I mess up, it affects everyone else. I made a big mistake last year, but I learned from it.

HANNON
I’ve messed up too. One time, my yo-yo fell out of my pocket during a cartwheel, and I just had to play it cool, like nothing happened. You just roll with it and keep going.