Story Ballet Production

Nutcracker Auditions 2008

Saturday, August 23rd
Saturday, September 6th
Saturday, September 13th

Auditions will be held at South Bay Dance Center. Students ages 5 – 9, 56 inches (4’ 8’’) or smaller and registered in a Ballet/Tap or Ballet IA class at SBDC during the 2008 – 2009 school-term session are eligible to audition. Students must be age 5 by October 1, 2008 in order to audition. All students registered in a Ballet IB prep class or higher at SBDC during the 2008 – 2009 school-term session are also eligible to audition.

Please arrive ready to dance in ballet clothing at your designated time. Beginning pointe students should plan to attend the 3:30 and the 4:00 audition times, Pointe II and higher need only attend the 4:00 time. Boys who dance should attend with their level and age group.

Non-dancing boys/men 1:30 PM
*5 - 6 year olds Ballet/Tap or Ballet IA (must be under 56 inches) 2:00 PM
*7 - 9 year olds Ballet/Tap or Ballet IA (must be under 56 inches) 2:30 PM
All ages Level IB prep and IB 3:00 PM
All ages Level IIA and higher 3:30 PM
All level pointe dancers and SBBA auditions 4:00 PM

*Audition based on student’s age on or before October 1, 2008.

All pointe dancers interested in solo or small group parts will be asked to perform a classical ballet variation. Possible variations will be taught at South Bay during summer session. Students may also choose to ready a variation of their own choice. Please be prepared to provide music for your variation.

Students will be assigned roles based on their performance in auditions. Roles will be determined by director’s assessment only. Students will be placed in one or more roles appropriate for their level and age. Each individual will be placed where they can best showcase their abilities and enhance the overall production. The participation fee remains the same regardless of the number of roles a student is given or the number of shows in which they are performing. Please note that South Bay Ballet Arts members are given priority casting, when appropriate to their level. Our ultimate goal is having the best performance possible. In some cases this may involve casting dancers in solo or principal roles who have had little or no background with South Bay Ballet Arts but show excellent dance skills that will enhance our production. In the end, the best dancer for each part will be chosen with priority given to SBBA members when possible.

South Bay Dance Center productions are a major commitment. Rehearsals will take place every weekend from September 22nd until the performance. Thanksgiving weekend is the only weekend that will not have scheduled rehearsals. The majority of rehearsals will take place on Saturdays and Sundays. Soloists and small groups will also be scheduled on some other additional days. A more detailed rehearsal schedule will be available after casting is completed. Students should not plan on missing any rehearsals. Missing more than fifteen minutes of a rehearsal counts as an entire absence. Those that miss more than two rehearsals for any reason will not be allowed to perform and participation fees will not be refunded.

Mandatory Technical and Dress Rehearsals will be held at the theater December 18th and 19th from 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM. Participants must also attend the dress rehearsals held at the studio the two weekends prior to the show. All students should plan on attending both in-studio dress rehearsals. Those missing more than one will not be allowed to perform.

Performances will be held December 20th and 21st at the Campbell Heritage Theatre. Some roles may be double-cast, students may perform in two to four performances. Students must plan to participate in all performances for which they are cast.

There will be a parent meeting Sunday, September 14th at 6:00 PM when casting will be announced. Parents and students should plan to attend. Those unable to attend must meet with Kit prior to the first rehearsal.

Students must also be meeting SBDC’s minimum ballet requirements. Please see school-term class requirements for more information. Students must be regularly attending their required ballet classes. A student may miss only three classes for each required ballet class from September to December to remain eligible for performance (i.e. a student required to attend two classes per week may miss six total classes). Attendance will be checked weekly. Make-up classes can be taken at the same or lower level to cancel an absence.

There is a $150 non-refundable participation fee for all students cast in the production who are not South Bay Ballet Arts Company Members. Please see SBBA company information for company members pricing. Participation fees are due by October 1, 2008. A $20.00 late fee will be assessed if fees are not paid by October 10, 2008. Students who do not pay their fees by October 16, 2008 will be asked to sit out of rehearsal. Missed rehearsals due to unpaid fees will count as an unexcused absence. There will be no charge for boys or men. Some costume fees may also be applicable.

We have a great need for men of all ages who can dance or act; brothers, dads or friends who may be interested please speak with Kit.

We are requesting that each participating family sell a minimum of 15 tickets.

We are working on a limited budget. Family members of performers are expected to volunteer in some aspect for the benefit of our production. Volunteer sign-ups will be posted soon after casting.