Barton’s Dance Department will hold auditions for their upcoming production of The Nutcracker for the Golden Belt on Saturday, August 31st from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Studio 34 on the Barton campus, with callbacks at 2:00 p.m. that same afternoon.

Auditions for this classic holiday ballet are open to dance students ages 7 and up. Ballet experience is not required for all sections, but taking ballet lessons is highly recommended during the Nutcracker production season. Auditions will be held in two sessions, one from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. for 7- to 11-year-olds and the other from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for 12- to 18-year-olds. Dancers must arrive 15 minutes prior to their audition time. Adults interested in performing in the first act “party scene” should contact Barton dance instructor and visual and performing arts coordinator Danika Bielek at [email protected].

“I would also encourage anyone who wants to be part of ‘The Nutcracker’ to contact me, even if they may not meet all of the experience recommendations or requirements. We want to try to find creative ways so that anyone who wants to be part of this production can contribute in some way, even if they’re not quite at the level of some of the other dancers,” Bielek said.

Dance experience is required for all roles except for adult in Act I. For ages 7-11, dance, gymnastics or sports experience is a plus but not necessary. Dance experience is mandatory for those auditioning in ages 12-18, with the additional requirement that they are currently taking dance classes. Dancers should come to the audition warmed up and dressed for dancing.

Bielek said the Nutcracker project was inspired by a desire to promote ballet in the area while creating a new holiday tradition for the community.

“Aly Smith (Aly’s Dance Studio) and Maddy Rideaux (Be Dance Studio) and I have been talking for some time about how we can teach our dance students more ballet technique,” she said. “Ballet is the foundation of stage dance, but sometimes students shy away from it because it is difficult and takes time to see progress. By creating our own ‘Nutcracker’ as a collaborative project, dance students can experience the reward at the end of this process that results in a magical production for all ages. Literally, earning the tutu.”

“Nutcracker for the Golden Belt” is funded by a $10,000 Arts Everywhere grant from the Kansas Creative Arts and Industries Commission. These grants were awarded to 42 counties in Kansas, including Barton, with a special focus on promoting the arts in rural communities. The KCAIC grants are funded by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Kansas Legislature. Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said it is important for the state to harness, connect and support the creativity that exists throughout Kansas.

“The Kelly-Toland administration knows that strategic investments in the arts enrich our communities, strengthen our economy and improve our quality of life – all of which make our state the best in the nation to live, work and play,” he said.

To register for auditions or for more information, contact Bielek at [email protected], 620-792-9253 or visit shows.bartonccc.edu.

“A Nutcracker for the Gold Belt” will take place on November 21, 23 and 24. The show is produced in association with Aly’s Dance Studio and Be. Studios, both based in Great Bend.