Casting

CASTING DECISIONS

         Casting is done by audition only. The student's availability for rehearsals, age, dance level, acting skills and height will all be taken into consideration when parts are assigned.

         Younger dancers have the opportunity to audition for a variety of roles, including Angels, Little Mice, Soldiers, Party Children, Cupcakes and Little Chefs. There are a wide variety of parts available to dancers 9 and up, either pre-pointe or en pointe. More information will be included on the audition form.

         Your student may be cast in more than one role. Once you have received his/her parts, please consult the tentative rehearsal schedule to determine whether you can commit to attending all of the corresponding rehearsal times, including rehearsals for any understudy role you may accept. Please be aware that all Studio Run-Throughs, Dress Rehearsals and Performances are mandatory.

         There will be one cast for both performances, with a possible exception of certain individual roles, which may be shared by two dancers. This will be noted as first and second cast on the cast list for these parts only.

         You may decline any roles that you have been cast in before September 24, 2011.

UNDERSTUDIES

         An understudy is a back-up dancer who is trained to step into a role if the main dancer is unable to perform. An understudy learns the role by attending all of the rehearsals for that part. For the Nutcracker Sweet, the understudy will only perform in the case of injury or illness to the main dancer (generally a rare occurrence).
         If your child is chosen as an understudy and accepts, he/she will be expected to attend all of the rehearsals for that part, just as if he/she was performing it. This year, the names of understudies will be listed in the program.
         Understudies do not pay an additional fee for that role, as they most likely will not perform it.

NOTIFICATION

         The cast list will be published on the Nutcracker Sweet blog by Thursday, September 22, and also on the call board at both studios. (See "Communications" for more information.)