A dancer since she was 2 years old, Cawley Middle School seventh-grader Lauren Elizabeth Roberds has practiced ballet. She has danced in more than 100 ballet performances, including performing as Clara in the New England Ballet Ensemble’s upcoming production of the Nutcracker on Nov. 29 and 30 at the Bedford High School theater.

Lights will illuminate the dark theater to reveal dancers. Countless hours of practice pay off as they glide across the floor with graceful poise. For Roberds, the toil and rewards of ballet affect her life every day.

Roberds, now 12, is in class six days a week.

“When I was 2 years old, my mother saw me dancing around,” Roberds said, “and she decided to put me in a ballet class. Since then, it’s been something I’ve always done and something I hope to continue to do in the future.”

Roberds attends classes at the Londonderry Dance Academy under the direction of Barbara Mullen. She attends classes regularly, as well as several rehearsals, for approximately 20 hours each week. Her parents and extended family all support her ambitions.

“I’ve been watching her practice since she was 18 months old,” said her mother, Tonya Anderson. “So it’s exciting to see her onstage and how much she’s improved.”

In order to remain committed, Roberds makes sacrifices.

“I’ve wanted to be more active in after-school activities,” Roberds said, “but I can only work in a few things that don’t interfere with my dancing. My grades are very important, and I want to make sure that I continue to qualify for membership in the National Junior Honor Society.”

Roberds has already participated in more than 100 performances and believes it is a reward for the months of hard work.

She started performing in the Nutcracker with the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre at 2-1/2 years old through first grade. Since 2004, she has performed with the New England Dance Ensemble. Roberds has played the parts of the Tiny Baby Mouse, Baby Mouse, Angel, Polichenelle, Party Child and Chinese Ribbon.

This year she will perform the roles of Chinese Tea and the lead role of Clara Silberhaus on Saturday, Nov. 29, at 7 p.m.

“Performances are better than practices,” Roberds said. “People get to see how far you have come with your style and attitude of your dance. I don’t usually get nervous because the lights are so bright and the audience is so dark that you can’t really see their faces.”

Though her mother, also a dancer, originally inspired her to dance, ballet has become Roberds’ personal passion.

“My goal in the future is to become an attorney. However, I want to continue dancing until I’m too old to dance. Then perhaps I will teach dance.”

For more information and ticket purchase, go online to the New England Dance Ensemble Web site at www.nede.tix.com.