Children’s Nutcracker auditions at NFB

The Northwest Florida Ballet will hold children’s auditions for its 35th annual production of The Nutcracker from 2-3 p.m. Sept. 7 at the Sybil Smith Lebherz Center for Dance Education, 310 Perry Ave. SE in Fort Walton Beach. Auditions are open to children ages 9 to 12. Parts being cast include Mice, Party Children, Angels, Bakers, Dutch Children and Cookies.

The audition fee is $55 (non-refundable) and pre-registration is required by Sept. 6. For more details about registration, call at 850-664-7787 or email Office Manager Rhonda Starnes at rstarnes@nfballet.org.

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For 35 years the Northwest Florida Ballet has brought the magic of The Nutcracker to the Emerald Coast. NFB’s performance is choreographed by Artistic Director Todd Eric Allen, formerly of the Boston Ballet and Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, with principal roles danced by a number of international guest performers. The real stars of the production, however, are the more than 80 local children who are cast each year to perform in the ensemble cast. Their participation makes this annual treat truly memorable, and keeps families coming back year after year.

Dancers should come to the audition in full ballet attire. Girls should wear a one-color leotard with pink tights and slippers. Hair should be in a bun, and no jewelry or distracting accessories should be worn. Boys should wear snug-fitting athletic shirts, and either bike shorts or leggings (or tights if tights are owned) with black ballet slippers.

All students who are cast are expected to commit to a full two-month studio rehearsal schedule, as well as the theater rehearsal and performance schedule. This year’s production has been expanded to three public performances, and dancers will be in the theater from Nov. 19-23rd. Our production is a fantastic opportunity for young dancers to build their stage experience and confidence. There are also volunteer opportunities for parents, including working with the backstage and dressing room crews, the costume department, and the performance boutique.