Nutcracker Registration 2020

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED AT THIS TIME. 

Registration for Ballet West’s The Nutcracker 2020 audition is open August 10-September 6.

Ballet West is looking to cast dancers as follows:

  • Dancers ages 8–18 with at least 1 year of ballet training
  • Girls between the heights of 48” – 71”
    • Gymnasts between the heights of 48” – 52”
  • Boys between the heights of 48” – 72”

All Nutcracker activities are subject to change. 

REGISTRATION

Please read all the information below.  After you agree to the terms of this agreement, you will be directed to the registration form.

This year, for the health and safety of everyone involved, there will not be an in person registration as there has been in the past.  Instead, the guardian/parent will measure the height (in inches) of their own dancer at home.

After completing the registration form, you will be directed to another link where you will enter your dancer’s height, and choose an audition date and time.

  • Tuesday, September 8 is for girls 48” – 52” 
  • Wednesday, September 9 is for girls 52⅛” – 56”
  • Thursday, September 10 is for girls 56⅛” – 60” 
  • Friday, September 11 is for boys 48” – 72” 
  • Saturday, September 12 is for girls 60⅛” – 71”

The registration fee is $10.00. 

If you have questions or need assistance please contact nutcracker@balletwest.org

AUDITION DAY INFORMATION

The audition is for dancers, girls and boys, who are in the 3rd grade or 8 years of age and older by September 1, 2020.  At least one year of ballet training is recommended. 

All Roles in Ballet West Nutcracker are cast by height, skill, and ability.  Each role has a specific height requirement.  All dancers must be able to fit into the production costumes. 

Auditions will be held September 8th – 12th at the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre and Jessie Eccles Quinney Ballet Centre.

PRIOR AUDITION DAY:
Only Registered dancers will be allowed to audition.  48 hours prior to the audition, a video link will be emailed to the primary email address listed on the registration form with the dance combinations each dancer will need to know for the audition.  Dancers should practice these combinations at home, and be ready to perform them at the audition.  A rehearsal assistant will review dance combinations on the audition day.

AUDITION DAY EXPECTATIONS:
Auditions will be held at the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre September 8th – 11th, and the Jessie Eccles Quinney Ballet Centre on September 12th.  Only Registered dancers will be allowed to audition.  Please be prompt.  Dancers will not be admitted into the audition after it has begun.  All auditions are closed.

For the health and safety of everyone involved, September 8th – 11th  auditioning dancers are required to be dropped off at the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre and on September 12th at the Jessie Eccles Quinney Ballet Centre.  After the audition has finished, auditioning dancers will be released to go home through the west side double doors of the Jessie Eccles Quinney Ballet Centre.

Dancers are required to wear a mask/face covering inside the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre and the Jessie Eccles Quinney Ballet Centre.  As there will not be any dressing rooms available, dancers should arrive with their audition attire on under their street clothes.  Before entering the building, auditionees will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms.  Anyone experiencing symptoms will not be allowed entrance into the building.  Upon entrance, dancers will be required to wash their hands.  They then will check in and receive their audition number.  Inside the building, dancers will be spaced according to CDC social distancing guidelines.  Hand Sanitizer will be available at the check in table and on stage during the audition.

This year only 25 dancers will be allowed to audition at a time.

All individuals entering the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre and Jessie Eccles Quinney Ballet Centre are required to fill out a contact tracking form, which will be available via QR code posted in the exit area (west side alley). 

Audition results will be sent via email on Monday September 14th by 5:00PM.  

Some dancers may be asked to attend a Call Back Audition on Friday September 11th at 6:45PM for Principal Children Roles.  The roles of Clara, Fritz, and Nephew are considered Principal Children Roles.

AUDITION PROCESS:
Dancers will briefly review the combinations they were sent via email with a rehearsal assistant before the audition begins.  Dancers will be divided into small groups to perform combinations for Ballet West’s Artistic Staff and qualified guest judges.  At this time, dancers will take off their mask to perform for the judges, and will be spaced according to CDC social distancing guidelines.  Each dancer will have a basket to place their mask in while they perform their dance combinations for the judges.  Baskets will be sanitized between uses.  Dancers will be scored based on their performance and execution of the steps. When they have finished performing their dance steps for the judges they will replace their mask.

*If your dancer is 48” – 52” and a gymnast, during the audition is the time they will be asked to demonstrate their abilities.  Ballet West is looking for dancers who are able to do 3 or more consecutive back handsprings.  Please inform your dancer to voice their abilities when asked!

*Please remind your dancer, if at any time they feel ill or need to use the restroom, to please ask a volunteer for assistance.  We would like the dancer to be as comfortable as possible during this process.

DANCERS SHOULD COME DRESSED IN CLASSICAL BALLET ATTIRE FOR THE AUDITION:
Girls wear:  tights, leotard, and ballet shoes (no skirts or spanx), hair in a bun.  No dangling jewelry.  

Boys wear:  trim fitted t-shirt, tights, sweats or bicycle shorts, ballet shoes, jazz shoes, or socks.

DANCERS CHOSEN FOR THE PRODUCTION:
Dancers chosen for the production will be sent information via the primary email address on the registration form on how to access the Ballet West Nutcracker website, which includes the dancers’ schedule, as well as other pertinent information.  When filling out the registration form please choose the best email address for your primary email, as this is the email Ballet West will use to communicate with you.  

Dancers chosen for the production must attend all rehearsals, costume fittings, and cast photo shoots.  Each role will rehearse approximately one to three times per week.  Most rehearsals are scheduled Monday through Friday 6:45PM – 9:15PM and Saturday 9:00AM – 6:30PM however, due to studio space and stage availability some rehearsals will begin at 4:00PM on weekdays and 8:00AM on Saturdays.  Rehearsals begin September 14th.  Performance dates are listed on the Ballet West website at https://balletwest.org/events/the-nutcracker-2020 

Dancers will be placed in a performing cast as best befits their abilities within the production.  Dancers will not be able to choose their own role and cast, however if you have a request for a specific performing cast, your deadline to make your request is Thursday September 17th.

Mandatory costume fittings are scheduled October 5th  – 17th at 3:30PM – 9:30PM.  Details will available at a later date.  All dancers must be able to fit into the production costumes, and are required to attend all scheduled costume fittings.  Any dancer who is absent from their scheduled costume fitting will be dismissed from the production.