OPEN COMPANY AUDITIONS for the 2023 NUTCRACKER
Saturday August 19th, 2023
Ballet Wichita Studios, 1600 W. Douglas Ave
REGISTRATION:
All dancers must be registered by August 18, 2023 at 5:00pm in order to audition!
—Please click on the button below to be directed to the online registration form; this MUST be completed for all dancers auditioning to perform with Ballet Wichita. If you are registering for multiple dancers, a form must be done for each dancer.
The 49th annual Nutcracker performances will be held at Century II Concert Hall, on December 15, 16, 17, 2023 under the direction of David Justin and include the Ballet Wichita Symphony Orchestra.
**BALLET WICHITA ANNUAL AUDITIONS ARE OPEN to dancers who are at least 8 years on the date of auditions**
Audition FEE: The Audition FEE is $25 per dancer and due at the time of registration (payable online or bring a check to the studio).
Audition Groups: All dancers MUST arrive at the Ballet Wichita Studios at the time listed below, Note! There is NO NEED TO ARRIVE ANY EARLIER than the times listed.
First Audition: Dancers 8 years old and older with 2-6 years of ballet training.
Audition time: 10:00am – 11:00am
Measurement time (required): 9:15am
Arrive at 9:15am, audition starts at 10:00am, dismissal at 11:00am.
Please wait for dancers in your cars!
Second Audition: Dancers 7th grade and older with 6 or more years of ballet training; 0-3 years training en pointe, however, pointe training is NOT required. You must have 3 years training en pointe to audition en pointe in this group. Please plan to bring your pointe shoes into the audition.
Audition time: 11:00am – 12:30pm
Measurement time (required): 10:15am
Arrive at 10:15am, audition starts at 11:00am, dismissal at 12:30pm
Third Audition: Dancers with 6 years or more ballet training and 4 years or more training en pointe. To be considered for a role en pointe, dancers are required to audition en pointe.
Audition time: 12:30 pm –2:00 pm
Measurement time (required): 11:45am
Arrive at 11:45am, audition starts at 12:30pm, dismissal at 2:00pm
Adult Character Roles: Some dance and acting experience required.
Audition time: 2:00pm – 2:30pm
Measurement time (required): 1:30pm
Arrive at 1:30pm, audition starts at 2:00pm, dismissal at 2:30pm
NOTE: If you are unable to attend auditions due to a conflict, we will work with you! To make arraignments, please contact us NO later than Monday, August 14 by email: info@balletwichita.com
AUDITION FORM DEADLINE: AUGUST 18TH, 2023 at 5:00pm
What to expect at BW Auditions:
The audition is an opportunity for each dancer to showcase their skills our Artistic Director, David Justin. During the audition, Mr. Justin will make notes which help him make casting decisions. A guest teacher will teach the class as Mr. Justin observes; all casting decisions will be made solely by him. To help with the process, auditions may be taped. Photographs and measurements of dancers will be taken to assist with casting and costuming.
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 group. Boys and men in all-black attire. (No leg warmers, dance skirts or shorts). Hair secured away from the face and close the head, no jewelry or piercings shown.
Note: If dancers are auditioning in the First Audition or in the Adult Character Role Audition and have no dance attire, please wear basic athletic clothes and socks with hair secured.
Parents/Guardians: to keep things running smoothly as we check dancers in and out, there is NO seating in the lobby on audition day. Parents are welcome to stay in the parking lot or run an errand and return to the studio at dismissal time. EVERYONE! Please be mindful in the parking lot, it can be a busy day so please drive slowly and watch out for happy dancers.
What to expect AFTER Auditions:
Within approximately seven (7) days following the audition, each dancer will receive an email notification informing him/her whether he/she has been cast in the Ballet Wichita Nutcracker and which role(s) he/she will be dancing. Dancers will receive the first rehearsal schedule at that time. Rehearsals for the 2023 Nutcracker will begin in early October.
Dancers will have seven (7) days following the email notification to accept his/her role(s), sign the Letter of Commitment, and pay the $130 Production Fee. When accepting roles, it is important that the dancer be prepared to accept all of the roles as cast. Casting is a very complex jigsaw of roles, skills, costumes, and availability. We are enthusiastic to welcome all dancers and ask that all dancers keep this complexity in mind and remain open, flexible and enthusiastic about dancing in The Nutcracker. The commitment form and production fee form will be sent by email.
Note on the Production FEE: The Production FEE is $130 per dancer cast in the 2023 Ballet Wichita Nutcracker and is due when the dancer signs their Letter of Commitment. The Production Fee covers many things, such as creation, 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.
**In addition to the production fee, depending on the role, there may be a specific type of dance shoe, leotard, or tights and stage makeup that dancers need to purchase. That information will be provided as the production progresses**
We have lots more info to share in the next weeks about this year’s production, stay tuned and plan to join us for a most remarkable NUTCRACKER SEASON!
ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU!