Greater Niagara Ballet Company to host auditions for 'The Nutcracker'

The Greater Niagara Ballet Company’s “The Nutcracker” is returning Dec. 8-9 to the Niagara Falls High School Performing Arts Center. The family-friendly holiday show features local dancers, guest artists and character performers.

Auditions will take place Sunday, Sept. 17, at the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center, 1201 Pine Ave. Enter through the purple door on the Portage Road side. There is a registration fee of $15.

Registration opens at 9:30 a.m. Dancers must arrive at least 15 minutes earlier than their listed audition time to allow time for registration (30 minutes earlier is preferrable).

The schedule includes tryouts for the following:

√ 10-10:30 a.m., girls and boys ages 6-7: Dancers needed. Some dance experience encouraged, but not required. Available roles include party scene, bon-bons, angels.

√ 10:30-11 a.m., girls and boys ages 8-9: Dancers needed. Some dance and/or gymnastics experience is encouraged. Available roles include party scene, bon-bons, battle scene, angels.

√ 11-11:45 a.m., girls and boys ages 10-12: Dancers needed. Some dance experience encouraged. Available roles include party scene, battle scene, angels.

√ 11:45 a.m. to noon, youth ages 10-plus for the role(s) of jester: Must have at least two years of gymnastics, acro-dance or other formal acrobatic training – no exceptions. Dancers who are self-taught need not attend. All interested dancers should attend one other audition (based on age and experience).

√ Noon to 12:30 p.m., teens ages 13-plus, adults (party scene, non-pointe second act roles): Dancers needed. Some dance experience encouraged. Available roles include party scene, battle scene, various character roles.

√ 12:30-1 p.m. break.

√ 1-1:30 p.m.: Clara auditions for ages 12-14: Those auditioning must be 12 years old by Dec. 1, and have several years of ballet training. All dancers attending this audition must attend one other audition before or after to be considered for the role. Note: Dancers who have previously played Clara in the GNBC production of “The Nutcracker” are not eligible.

√ 1:30-2:15 p.m.: junior corps, ages 11-16: Several years of ballet training required. Those currently training in pointe shoes should bring their shoes into the studio, but wear regular ballet slippers into the audition.

√ 2:15-3 p.m. – senior corps and solos for ages 14 and up: Girls: One or more years of pointe training required; boys/men: several years of ballet/dance training is necessary. Pointe shoes should be worn into the audition. Last section may be off-pointe, so regular ballet slippers should be carried in.

Non-pointe second-act and character roles will also be auditioned at the 1:30 and 2:15 p.m. auditions.

With the exceptions of the jester and Clara auditions, no one should attend more than one audition time. Some dancers in the junior corps section may be asked to stay for senior corps auditions.

The GNBC asks that no dancers attend auditions at a higher age range or level, due to safety/injury concerns and casting requirements.

Contact the GNBC at [email protected] at least 24 hours before the audition if you or your dancer do not know which audition to attend.

Party scene parents do not need to audition unless also interested in other dancing roles.

Those only interested in party scene parent roles should sign up on a list at the audition, or email [email protected] ahead of time. To find out availability, an online signup will be sent after auditions to those who indicated interest.

For more information, visit the GNBC website at greaterniagaraballetcompany.com.