Ballet Wichita 2018 Nutcracker Auditions:
One day only! Saturday, August 25, 2018 at
Wichita State University Heskett Center

The 2018 Ballet Wichita Nutcracker performance will be held at the Century II Concert Hall, with the Ballet Wichita Symphony on December 14, 15, and 16. Additional performances will include student matinees at Century II on December 11 and 12 and touring to the McPherson Opera House.

Audition FEE: The Audition FEE is $25 per dancer and is due at the time of registration. Once you submit your online registration, you will be directed to the Audition FEE payment page to pay the Audition FEE.

Audition Groups: All dancers MUST arrive at the WSU Heskett Center at the time listed below, NO NEED TO ARRIVE ANY EARLIER. However, if registering via paper (not electronically), arrive 30 minutes prior to your audition time listed below to ensure completion of all paperwork prior to auditions.

  • Age 7-10: No Previous Dance Experience needed.
    Auditions: 11:00 – 1:00.
  • Age 11-13: No Pointe shoes.
    Auditions: 12:15 – 2:30.
  • Age 14 + : Pointe shoes, as appropriate.
    Auditions: 2:00 – 4:30.
  • Adults: Party Guests/Character Roles.
    Auditions: 4:30 – 5:45.

*NOTE: If a dancer exceeds expectations for his/her age group, that dancer may be asked to continue his/her audition into the next audition group. The Artistic Director would make this determination and a parent/guardian will be notified by a Ballet Wichita representative. **If a dancer is under the age of 14 and dances Pointe, she may wish to bring her Pointe shoes to auditions should an expectation be exceeded and additional dancing needs to be evaluated as described above.

What to expect AT Auditions:

The audition is about showcasing each dancer’s skills for the Artistic Director to determine where each dancer fits best in the production. During the audition, Ballet Wichita’s Artistic Director and assistant(s) will walk through the room and make notes on each dancer’s level of training and abilities, as well as note moments of particular movement qualities. Taking notes helps the Artistic Director prepare the cast roles. All casting decisions will be made solely by the Artistic Director. Auditions will be taped. Photographs and measurements of dancers will be taken.

Audition Attire: Be prepared for Class! Black leotards and pink tights, with leotard over the tights and either ballet slippers or pointe shoes depending on age group description below. Boys and men in all black attire. (No leg warmers, dance skirts or shorts). Hair secured in a bun, no jewelry or piercings shown. Note: If dancers are auditioning in the youngest age group (7-10) and have no dance experience or dance attire, please wear athletic clothes and socks with hair pulled back.

What to expect AFTER Auditions:

Within five (5) days following the audition, each dancer will receive an email notification informing him/her whether he/she has been cast in the 2018 Ballet Wichita Nutcracker and which role(s) he/she will be dancing. Dancers will receive a rehearsal schedule at that time. The rehearsals for the 2018 Nutcracker will begin early/mid-September depending on the role.

Dancers will have up to five (5) days following the email notification to accept his/her role(s), sign the Letter of Commitment, and pay the $100 Production Fee all via a password protected link sent in the email notification. If dancers do not complete the previously mentioned items within five (5) days of notification, roles will be re-cast.

Production FEE: The Production FEE is $100 per dancer who is cast in the 2018 Ballet Wichita Nutcracker and is DUE when the dancer signs their Letter of Commitment. The Production Fee covers many things, such as the maintenance and repairs of the costumes used by Ballet Wichita. There will be an opportunity when signing the Letter of Commitment to discuss a payment option for the Production Fee, if needed. Depending on the role, there may be a specific type of dance shoe, leotard, or tights and stage makeup that dancers will need to purchase.

NOTE: If you are unable to attend auditions due to a conflict, please contact us NO later than Monday, August 20 by email (*preferred) at: info@balletwichita.com or call us: 316-687-5880.

The Ballet Wichita family looks forward to seeing you at auditions!