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New to auditions?
Being part of The Nutcracker is exciting, rewarding, and a big commitment. Before auditioning, please review the information below so you know what to expect. Auditions, schedules and more!
Also check out the blog for tips to help you prepare for your audition. And read the FAQs section for more details.
- Dancers (girls) must be currently enrolled in a dance school to audition.
- Dancers must 8 years old as of September 1, 2026.
- Dancers 12 and older must bring a 4 x 6 headshot.
- Dancers under 18 must have a signed parent permission form.
- Review the mandatory rehearsal and production schedules and check your calendar for any conflicts. These will be noted on dancer’s audition card.
- Register in The Jean Evans Weaver Center for Dance parking lot, 30 minutes before scheduled audition time. Parents wait outside during auditions.
- Bring shoes. Wear leotards and tights; appropriate dancewear for male dancers. Hair must be worn in a bun for the audition.
- Our costume team will take measurements to help determine the parts you are eligible for. If more than one, plan on auditioning throughout the day to increase your chances of being cast. But if you are only eligible by height for one role (Mice, for example), just come 30 minutes before that audition.
Audition Day 1 - September 12
9 am
Little Girls (12+) – flat ballet shoes
12 pm
Experienced en pointe dancers and male dancers (13-15) *
1:30 pm
Experienced en pointe dancers and male dancers (16+) *
*Audition is a master class. Female dancers must remain in pointe shoes the entire time.
Audition Day 2 - September 19
9 am
Jesters – single-leg cartwheel and split
10 am
Jack-in-the-box – must be gymnast
10:30 am – 3:30 pm
Soldier, Angel, Cavalry, Mice, Maids, Heralds, Dragons, Little Boys, Fritz
3:30 pm
Act 1 Adults
Casting is at the discretion of the artistic faculty, based on the dancer’s technical ability, audition, and costuming. Everyone who auditions will receive an email with his or her audition results. Please respond with a return email as soon as you get the notification. Without a return email, the part is not considered accepted and will be recast. See more
AUDITION DATE
EMAIL SENT TO YOU BY
YOU RESPOND TO EMAIL BY
Saturday, September 12
5 pm, Sunday, September 13
9 pm, Sunday, September 13
Saturday, September 19
5 pm, Sunday, September 20
9 pm, Sunday, September 20
- While construction is ongoing at The Weaver Center, costume fitting will be held at 293 Holt Avenue. Download schedule for your arrival time.
- We provide the costumes, but dancers are responsible for certain personal items. Download list
Auditions
Audition on September 12 and 19 at The Weaver Center. Learn which roles, days and times. Lots of important details!
Casting and Costumes
Key info on casting, costumes, and all-important costume fittings on September 26 (new location).
Studio Rehearsal Schedule
Grand Rehearsals & Shows
Get ready to shine! Mandatory tech rehearsal and performance schedules.
Faq's
Who can audition?
All dancers auditioning must be currently enrolled in a dance school (with the exception of Adults, Boys and Jack-in-the Box). The youngest roles [Jesters, Jack-in-the-Box, soldiers, Angels, Little Boys, Fritz, Cavalry, Mice, Maids, Heralds, Dragon] must be 8 years old as of September 1. For Little Girl, dancers must be 12 years old by September 1. For roles en pointe, dancers must be at least 13 and have pointe experience. When dancers arrive for auditions, the costume department will measure and check off the roles they are eligible for – meaning, dancers can audition for more than one role, based on height, skills or other criteria.
What are the specific audition requirements for each role?
To audition for a Nutcracker role, you must meet the following criteria. You may audition for more than one role, if you match the requirements:
Little Girl
Must be 12 years old by September 1, 2025 and between 4’4” and 5’4” with dance experience
Little Boys and Fritz
Boys must be between 4’3” and 5’5”
Clara, Columbine, Harlequin, Snow, Spanish, Chinese, Marzipan, and Flowers
Dancers en pointe ages 13 and up
Prince, Nutcracker and Harlequin
Male dancers ages 13 and up
Jesters
Must be able to do a straight-leg cartwheel and split. Maximum height 4’8”
Jack-in-the-box
Must be a gymnast
Soldiers
Must be between 4’3” and 4’10”
Angels
Must be between 4’3” and 5’2”
Cavalry
Must be between 4’3” and 4’8”
Mice
Must be between 3’10” and 4’4”
Maids
Must be between 5’1” and 5’6”
Heralds
Must be between 5’ to 5’6”
Dragon
Must be 5’ and up.
Act 1 Adults
Casting for roles of Judge and Frau Silberhaus, Young Lady, Young Soldier, Ladies, Gentlemen, and Rats
I can’t make all the rehearsals or meetings. Can I be excused?
Unfortunately, because we have such an incredibly short time to prepare for production, we can’t allow absences or late arrivals for rehearsals, costume fittings, parent meetings and performances. If cast, you’ll be asked for your commitment to attend all required activities.
How do I register to audition?
What do I need to bring to audition?
Dancers should bring a 4×6 headshot (Girls wear hair in bun).
Dress: leotards and tights for girls; boys may wear shorts. Preferred dress for male dancers is black tights, fitted white T-shirt with flat black shoes; Little boys (party scene) may wear shorts.
Shoes: Little Girl auditions and male dancers [Prince, Nutcracker or Harlequin] should wear flat ballet shoes. Female dancers [Clara, Columbine, Snow, Spanish, Chinese, Marzipan and Flowers] will be in pointe shoes. Adults: if you have, wear/bring character shoes (women) or jazz shoes (men).
How will I know if I am cast?
Everyone who auditions will receive an email with results. If you’re cast, you’ll know by 5 pm the next day (Sunday), and you must respond by email [nutcrackermidgaauditions@gmail.com] no later than 9 pm that day or the role will be recast.
Casting is at the discretion of the artistic faculty based on the dancer’s technical ability, audition, and costuming. Please do not contact the artistic staff regarding casting. If you would like to discuss your dancer’s audition, an appointment may be made with the artistic staff and a board representative by emailing cjarrard22@aol.com.
Do I need to get my own costume?
No, Nutcracker provides ALL costumes, but you’ll need to furnish your own items, as listed here. NOTE: If a nude leotard is required for your costume, it must be worn for each and every performance. Costume fittings are MANDATORY on the day posted in the download.
Angels: nude camisole leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes
Cavalry: black ballet or jazz shoes, black tights
Clara: black leather ballet shoes w/pink elastic, Capezio mesh transition tights (CLP), pale pink camisole leotard, and pointe shoes
Columbine: nude camisole leotard, Capezio mesh transition tights (CLP), and pointe shoes
Dragon: black leather ballet shoes with white elastic, white tights, or socks
Fritz and Little Boys: black jazz shoes, dark t-shirt
Harlequin: white or nude camisole leotard (female), white leotard (male), white tights, and black leather ballet shoes
Heralds: nude camisole leotard, white leather ballet shoes with white elastic (So Danca split sole), white tights
Jack-in-the-Box & Jesters: white leather ballet shoes with white elastic (So Danca split sole), white tights
Ladies and Soldiers’ Date: black hose, black character shoes
Little Girls: nude camisole leotard, black leather ballet shoes with pink elastic (So Danca black leather split sole), Capezio mesh transition tights (CLP)
Maids: nude camisole leotard, black hose, and black character shoes
Men & Young Soldier: white dress shirt and black jazz shoes
Mice: pink leather ballet shoes with pink elastic
Toy Soldiers: black leather ballet or jazz shoes, white tights, black crew socks
Snow, Flowers, Marzipan, Spanish, Chinese: nude camisole leotard, Capezio mesh transition tights (CLP), and pointe shoes