The Joffrey Ballet Holds Open Auditions for Children's Cast in THE NUTCRACKER Today

The Joffrey Ballet holds open auditions for the Children's Cast of Robert Joffrey's The Nutcracker at its downtown studios in Joffrey Tower, 10 E. Randolph Street, TODAY, September 15. All students in the greater Chicagoland area with dance experience are welcome to audition.

This annual audition is for all children, from any studio or school, interested in auditioning for the 26th annual production of The Nutcracker, whether or not they have participated in The Joffrey's Nutcracker in the past. The audition will be directed by faculty and staff from the Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet, who will be looking for dancers between 4' and 5' tall and 9 to 14 years old.

All dancers need to bring a headshot or photo no larger than 4" x 6" and an audition form (available online through Joffrey.org/academy) with them on the day of the audition. The Nutcracker Children's Cast roles are Party Girls & Boys, Polichinelles (Mother Ginger's kids), Battle Mice, Soldiers, Mounted Mice, Snow Tree Angels and Dolls.

Audition Times Based on Dancer Criteria:

Ages 9-11, Height: 4' - 4'5": Registration 9:00-10:00 am, Audition 10:00-11:30 am

Ages 10-14, Height: 4'5" - 5': Registration 11:00 am-12:00 pm, Audition 12:00-2:00 pm

Ages 9-10, Height: 4'5" - 5': Registration 1:30-2:30 pm, Audition 2:30-3:30 pm

Dancers should be prepared to stay until 4pm on the day of the audition.

Availability:

Dancers must be available for rehearsals in October, November and December. Rehearsals begin October 1 and take place at Joffrey Tower. Performances take place December 6-28 at the Auditorium Theatre (no performance December 25).

Advanced Registration:

Interested dancers are encouraged to register in advance at nutcrackeropenauditions.eventbrite.com. They are also encouraged to refer to the Nutcracker Children's Cast FAQs (also available at Joffrey.org/academy) and contact Joffrey Academy Reception if they have any additional questions: reception@joffrey.org.

About Joffrey's The Nutcracker

Robert Joffrey's The Nutcracker, Chicago's most popular holiday tradition, returns for its seasonal run at the Auditorium Theatre, bringing Tchaikovsky's classic score to life with dancing snowflakes, battling toys, waltzing flowers and the splendor of the full Joffrey company on stage with over 100 young dancers from the Chicagoland area. Robert Joffrey's The Nutcracker is presented in 23 performances, December 6 - 28, 2013.

Tickets, priced from $31 to $132, are available for purchase at The Joffrey Ballet's official Box Office located in the lobby of Joffrey Tower, 10 E. Randolph Street, as well as the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University box office, all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, by telephone at (800) 982-2787, or online at www.ticketmaster.com.