Audition Information
Friday, September 8 is the only audition day offered. Please arrive by 3:30pm to fill out the necessary forms or print and bring completed with you.
All dancers should arrive in dance apparel ready to audition.
Each dancer will be assigned a number to be worn on their leotard. They will be identified by number only during the audition.
Parents and teachers are invited to stay in the auditorium to watch the auditions. No one other than the dancers are allowed on the stage.
Auditions begin at 4:00pm on the main stage and will last approximately one hour.
The professionals from Dance Alive will cast the ballet directly after the audition. They make the selections, not Ford Center personnel or local teachers.
Not everyone who auditions will be cast, but we want the audition to be a positive and encouraging experience for the young dancers.
If cast, including understudies, there are mandatory rehearsals to teach the choreography immediately following the auditions for the different groups as follows:
Friday, September 8
5:30pm – 7:30pm Party Girls and Boys
7:30pm – 8:30pm Tumblers
Saturday, September 9
9:00am – 12:00pm Soldiers and Mice
There are also seven more rehearsals that are mandatory for all cast and understudies. Only one absence is permitted, except dress rehearsal. Specific times for each group will be determined later:
Sundays 3:00pm – 6:00pm: September 17 & 24, October 1 & 15, November 5, December 3
Thursday, December 7 from 4:30pm – 8:30pm (Dress Rehearsal)
Here are the roles that are available:
Soldiers Age 7 – 12 One year minimum dance experience required.
Party Girls Age 9 – 13 Must be experienced ballet dancers. No pointe required.
Party Boys Age 7 – 13 One year minimum dance experience required.
Clara’s Friends Age 12 – 18 Must be strong ballet dancers. No point required.
Mice Age 12 – 18 Must be strong jazz dancers.
Tumblers Age 7 – 18 Must have cartwheels, front and back walkovers, Splits, headstands, and back handsprings or aerial tricks.
Dancers must provide the following costume wear:
Soldiers – White leotards, black ballet shoes with white elastic, wrist-length white gloves.
Mice – Black tights and black slip-on jazz shoes.
(If there are any double cast with the party scene, black tights with nude colored camisole leotards are best.)
Tumblers – White tank leotard and white tights; white acrobatic shoes.
Party Girls – Party dress as specified with matching hair bow, pink tights and pink ballet slippers. Photos of jewel tone examples will be provided.
Party Boys – White tights and black ballet shoes with white elastic.
Dance Alive will provide all other necessary costumes. These costumes will be handed out at 4:30pm in preparation of the final dress rehearsal at 6:00pm on Thursday, December 7.
Dancers who are cast will receive a detailed list of instructions and a schedule for the performance at a later date.
