Nutcracker Audition FAQs

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There is a $25 audition registration fee per dancer (this $25 fee is waived for Ballet Etudes company members). If the dancer is accepted, there is a $50 performance fee. However, as Ballet Etudes owns all of its costumes, there is no costume fee. In total, the fees are just $75.

Girls should wear tights, a leotard, and ballet slippers. Hair should be in a bun or, if hair is short, pinned back off the face. The preferred leotard color for the audition is black, but any leotard color may be worn if a black leotard is not available.

Boys should wear black tights, dance pants or black basketball shorts, a tucked-in white shirt, and black ballet shoes or socks.

Most roles are double-cast, which ensures that our youngest cast members are not required at all performances. This means that as we have 14 performances of The Nutcracker, the “Red” cast will perform 7 shows and the “Green” cast will perform 7 shows.

For example, there are two casts (8 dancers in each cast) for the role of Gingerette – the Red Cast and the Green Cast. One dancer from each of these two casts share the same “spot” and they are known as “alternates” for each other. Each cast will perform 7 performances as Gingerettes.

However, there are other roles which have only one cast. This means one dancer will perform this role for all 14 performances. Typically, this role is held by an older dancer (typically age 13 and up).

As we have four performances on Sundays and two casts of dancers, one cast will perform two Sundays and the other cast will perform two Sundays. All dancers will perform at least two Sunday.

In mid-October, the rehearsal staff will provide each dancer with their cast “color” (known as “Red” or “Green”) as well as the dates in which they will perform.

Rehearsals will begin Friday, September 11. Rehearsals are held on Friday evenings or Saturday afternoons during the months of September – November. The day of your rehearsal depends upon your role and typically remains consistent. Dancers ages 7-11 typically have between 45 minutes or 2 hours of rehearsals each Friday or Saturday. Dancers ages 12-15 typically have 2 hours of rehearsal each Saturday. Note that these are typical and exceptions may apply.

Venue rehearsals will take place at Chandler Center for the Arts during the late/afternoon to evenings of November 23-25 and at Mesa Arts Center during the late/afternoon to evenings of December 9-11. Dress rehearsals are MANDATORY for all dancers. Dress rehearsal at Chandler Center for the Arts will be Wednesday, November 25 and dress rehearsal at Mesa Arts Center will be Friday, December 11. Note that during these theater rehearsals, most cast members are not required each night. This schedule will be distributed in October.