Young dancers and theater actors are invited to audition for a role in the Joffrey Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”
Young dancers and state artists are invited to audition for roles in the Joffrey Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker.
Courtesy of the Joffrey Ballet
The Joffrey Ballet will hold open auditions for the child cast of Christopher Wheeldon’s The Nutcracker on September 6 and 8 at its downtown Chicago studios in the Joffrey Tower, 10 E. Randolph St. Auditions for a specific role can be submitted via video and will close at 9 p.m. on September 7. All Chicago area students with dance experience who meet the casting criteria are invited to audition. This annual audition is open to any young dancer from any studio or school who wishes to audition for Christopher Wheeldon’s The Nutcracker, whether or not they have participated in Joffrey’s Nutcracker in the past. Auditions will be conducted by the Joffrey Ballet artistic staff. For detailed audition information, visit joffrey.org.
Audition times based on dancer criteria
General Audition 1: 5-7pm Friday, September 6
• Auditions for dancers of all genders from 8 years on audition day
• Maximum height 4 feet 7 inches (no minimum height)
• Dancers may be asked to return for auditions on Sunday, September 8th between 11:00am and 4:30pm.
General Audition 2: 10:30-11am Sunday, September 8th
• Auditions for male dancers aged 10 to 18 on audition day
• Minimum height 4 feet 7 inches, maximum height 5 feet 8 inches
General Audition 3: 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, September 8
• Auditions for female and non-binary identifying dancers ages 10-18 on audition day
• Minimum height 4 feet 7 inches, maximum height 5 feet 6 inches
• Dancers can be released before 4:30 p.m.
The age and height parameters are strict and students who do not meet these parameters will not be allowed to audition.
Video Audition: Anytime until 9pm Saturday, September 7
Dancers of varying talent are encouraged to submit a video audition for the role of the working-class child, played in a non-motorized wheelchair made specifically for The Nutcracker. Dance training is not required. Dancers should be comfortable waiting for long periods of time and performing silently in a group on a stage with bright lights, loud music and a large audience. Video submissions close Saturday, September 7 at 9 p.m.
• Ages 12-18 on audition day.
• Dancers of all genders.
• No minimum or maximum size requirements.
Registration
Space is limited and pre-registration is required at least one day before your audition. In-person forms are not available. The registration form can be found at joffrey.org.
For registration information, email [email protected].
In Joffrey’s production of Wheeldon’s The Nutcracker, audiences follow young Marie and the Nutcracker Prince on a whirlwind journey through the 1893 World’s Fair: a breathtaking spectacle of sights, sounds and magic. This annual tradition celebrates the magic of the season and Chicago’s rich cultural heritage and takes place December 6-28 at the Lyric Opera House.
Individual tickets start at $36 and are available at the Lyric Opera Box Office at 20 N. Upper Wacker Drive, Chicago, by phone at (312) 386-8905, or online at joffrey.org.