Sign up for auditions HERE!
The Nutcracker
Show Dates: December 18 & 19, 2026
A classic presentation of this beloved ballet reshaped to tell the gripping story of how The One True King desires every tribe, tongue, and nation to know of His love for them.
The Nutcracker will be directed by Lysion Vieira.
* If cast in this show, there will be a $175 production fee per cast member. *
AUDITION DETAILS:
Sign up for auditions HERE!
Auditions: August 29th
9:00am-10:30am: Advanced
45 min. break
11:15am-12:45pm: Beginner/Intermediate
If you have questions about which level to audition for, please reach out to miriam@cavod.org
Callbacks: August 29th, 2:00-5:00pm
*If you are needed at callbacks, you will be informed. Callbacks will be announced around 30 min. after each audition slot.
Location: Cavod Performing Arts – New Holland Location (665 W Main Street, New Holland PA)
* You do not need to be a Cavod student to audition.
* All students auditioning MUST have prior dance experience.
* Ages 9-Adult are invited to audition.
If you are absolutely unable to attend auditions and would like to submit a video audition, please email miriam@cavod.org for more information. All video auditions must be submitted by August 27th. Video auditions are only available for high-intermediate to advanced dancers and main roles will only be offered to those who audition in person.
WHAT TO WEAR TO AUDITIONS:
- Girls: Professional-looking, fitted ballet attire; ballet skirt optional, but dancers may be asked to remove the skirt for partnering; hair must be up in a neat ballet bun
- Boys: Professional-looking, fitted ballet attire; longer hair must be secured neatly out of the face
WHAT TO BRING TO AUDITIONS:
- An 8×10 headshot (photo of your head and shoulders) with your dance and acting resume stapled to the back (REQUIRED).
- Ballet slippers
- Pointe shoes (if applicable) for Advanced Level Audition
- Water
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE:
Early Rehearsal Commitments
Please note that certain principal and featured roles will require an earlier rehearsal commitment due to the amount of choreography, coaching, and preparation involved. Roles that may begin weekend rehearsals starting Sept. 11th include:
- Sugar Plum Fairy
- The Nutcracker Prince/Cavalier (including the Grand Pas de Deux and variations)
- Clara
- Featured Soloists
- Small Featured Groups within the Land of Sweets
- Corps de Ballet
Why start rehearsals so early?
These roles carry additional artistic and technical responsibilities and often require more individualized coaching, choreography sessions, partnering rehearsals, and detailed staging work. Dancers cast in these positions should be prepared for a greater time commitment and may be asked to attend rehearsals before full-cast rehearsals officially begin. The Corps de Ballet, while performing as an ensemble, plays a significant role in establishing the classical style and visual excellence of the production. Dancers selected for the Corps should expect focused rehearsals centered on precision, musicality, uniformity, and artistry.
Similarly, dancers cast as featured soloists or within select ensembles of the Land of Sweets may begin rehearsing earlier to allow time for character development, choreography refinement, and performance coaching. Specific rehearsal schedules and expectations will be communicated following casting and callbacks. We encourage all dancers interested in these opportunities to carefully consider their availability and commitment level before auditioning.
Our goal is to provide every dancer with the time, coaching, and preparation needed to bring this production to life with excellence and artistry.
Rehearsals for the whole cast begin Friday, October 23rd.
Rehearsal Schedule:
Fridays – 6pm-9pm
Saturdays – 9am-3pm
Sundays – 2pm-5pm
Students are not called for every rehearsal. As we get closer to the show dates, students will be required to attend full day rehearsals.
CAST OF CHARACTERS:
- Sugar Plum Fairy
- The Nutcracker Prince/Cavalier
- Clara
- Drosselmeyer
- Corps de Ballet
- Party Guests
- Mechanical Dolls
- Mouse King
- Army of Mice
- Toy Soldiers
- Snowflakes
- Spanish
- Arabian
- Chinese
- Russian
- Marzipan
- Mother Ginger
- Waltz of the Flowers