Nutcracker Auditions

Audition dates: September 7 & 8, 2024

Lafayette Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker

AUDITIONS

Open to students 8 years (by December 1) and over, with at least one full year of ballet training and is currently studying ballet, in an established dance program. Roles include: Act I – Party Scene: party children, dolls, maids, and *tumblers. Battle Scene: soldiers and bunny.

*Tumblers: ages 9 – 11. No audition fee. No ballet training required. Specific skills required. See details in description

Act II – Intermediate level students (8-14 yrs): Angels, Candy cane, Peppermints, Neapolitan and Polichinelles.

Advanced level – professional (15 yrs and over): Spanish variation (character shoes) and select Land of the Sweets variations. All roles are open to qualified advanced level dancers – Pointe shoes required.

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, for Ages 15 to professional. All pointe variations, with Chinese and Spanish variation.

WHEN: Sunday, September 8, 2024, for Ages 8 – 14 (NO pointe work)

PLEASE ARRIVE 1/2 HOUR EARLY TO REGISTER.

Additional audition opportunities MAY be available. Please email, Shannon@lafayetteballettheatre.org 

AT THE AUDITION: Parents are not allowed in the building. Audition fee ($36 if paying online or $35 if paying by cash) are required before entering the audition.  Audition fee can be paid in cash when entering the audition. If paying online, please select “Theatre Payment” at the top menu. Registration forms are available online, and at the audition. Information regarding notifications will be displayed on signs outside. Dressing area in the building will be limited. Participants are asked to dress for the audition at home. Water fountains are open. We encourage dancers to bring water bottle from home. Hand sanitizer is placed at entrance door. 

Registration form available here. 

Saturday, Sept. 7, 11:00 – 1:30pm,  Ages 15 to Professional. Advanced Pointe work.

1:30 – 2:00 – Ages 15 and up auditioning for roles that do NOT include pointe work: Chinese and Spanish variations. Please arrive earlier to warm up.

Sunday, Sept. 8, 1:00 – 1:45  Ages 8 –9 yrs (beginner & intermediate level work)

2:00 – 3:00 Ages 10–11 yrs (intermediate level)

3:30 – 5:00  Ages 12 – 14 yrs. (advanced intermediate level)

5:00 – 5:30 Tumblers (athletes ages 9 – 11) NO audition fee.  Specific skills required: Front limber to bridge kickover, Front walk-over, Back walk-over, Round-off back hand-spring. Level 4/5 floor skills encouraged. 

WHERE: Lafayette Ballet Theatre studio, 201 Petroleum Drive, Lafayette, LA, 70508.

COST: $36. Credit Card Audition Fee is due at registration; $35 cash or check payment. Please make checks payable to LBT or have exact change. Required of dancers ages 7 – 18 only. Credit card payments only accepted on this website, “Theatre Payment”.  No audition fee for tumblers. 

DRESS: Ballet Attire.

Further details: 

LBT will double cast most children roles; therefore, majority of children will perform only once. LBT must have total control in deciding which day your child is performing. There will be no substituting of days. Siblings and family members will be casted in the same performance. Please make us aware if you have a family member auditioning.

A parent of the child will be notified by Email if they have or have not been selected and informed of which role they will be cast in. If you choose to perform in the production a participation fee is required. This cost includes per costume rental fee, and a rehearsal fee.

ALL REHEARSALS ARE REQUIRED. ONE (1) ABSENCE IS ALLOWED. The Nutcracker typically includes one rehearsal per week (with the exception of female Party Scene children and advanced Act II variations). Rehearsals will be on the weekends (with the exception of advanced level Act II variations). Rehearsals will begin in late-September and will continue through performance date. The week of the performance will require  evening rehearsals at the Heymann Center, beginning Monday of production week through Friday.

Please contact Mitzi Heath or Shannon Heath (Artistic Directors) at Lafayette Ballet Theatre office (337) 345-5317, or online at Shannon@lafayetteballettheatre.org, with any questions you may have.