Key Dates at a glance
Auditions
2025 auditions are completed and cast!
Plan for 2026 with a look at Nutcracker roles.
Costumes
Parents
Misplaced the packet from the Parents meeting?
Find all the important information here.
Rehearsals
Saturday, October 4 – Saturday, December 6 – Mandatory rehearsals
Performance Dates
Wednesday, December 10 – Daytime school performance and special 40th anniversary evening performance
Thursday, December 11 – Sunday, December 14
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