Audition registration will open by August 1, 2024.

We are thrilled to announce that for the first time since 2019, Youth Cast auditions will be open to the community at large for dancers aged 8-12. For those ages 8-12, auditions are held in a light and fun environment, and no prior dance experience is required.

Children ages 12 and up must be School of Nashville Ballet or a community partner student.

Nashville Ballet plans to have two or more youth casts for the performances of Nashville’s Nutcracker which will allow youth cast participants to participate in up to nine performances!

The first rehearsals will start the weekend of October 26, 2024. We will have three weekends of rehearsals. When the youth cast combine with Nashville Ballet Company Artists for rehearsal, they will then shift to during the week

Dancers will know all potential rehearsal dates when they fill out the audition registration packet. All rehearsals are mandatory, but not all the youth cast roles or groups are called every day of the week. This is the same for performances as well.

At the audition, children will be taught sequences of steps from various age-appropriate youth cast roles. The children will be evaluated on their ability to learn and execute these steps. The atmosphere of our audition is light and fun, because we know children are usually nervous. The steps they are required to execute are not difficult.

Students should audition in a solid color leotard and tights OR a solid, fitted shirt and shorts. Students with long hair should have their hair neatly in a bun and ballet slippers for shoes. All students should have ballet shoes. No pointe shoes are necessary as all youth cast roles are on flat.

The photographs will be attached to your child’s audition form to provide a quick reference point to help Nashville Ballet’s artistic staff remember your child. The photograph does not have to be professional.

Your child should register and audition within the age group he or she falls under on the day of the audition.

Youth cast members find this experience fun, rewarding, and unlike any other! Some roles include more dancing than others, but they all incorporate movement, mime, and emotion. It’s a great opportunity to see the behind the scenes of a production and work closely with a professional company, including dancers, choreographers, production members and other staff.