The Joffrey Ballet holds open auditions for the Children's Cast of Christopher Wheeldon's Nutcracker at its downtown studios in Joffrey Tower, 10 E. Randolph Street, Sunday, September 10 and Thursday, September 14. All students in the Chicagoland area meeting the criteria with dance experience are welcome to audition on their respective dates.

This annual audition is for all young dancers and theatre performers with dance experience, from any studio or school, interested in auditioning for Christopher Wheeldon's Nutcracker, whether or not they have participated in the Joffrey's Nutcracker in the past. The audition will be directed by artistic staff from The Joffrey Ballet.

All dancers must bring an audition form, 4x6 headshot (Ladies with hair in a bun), and proof of age (ID, passport or copy of birth certificate etc.)

Audition Dates and Times Based on Dancer Criteria

Sunday, September 10
Registration begins 1 hour prior to audition
11:00-11:45 AM | Gentlemen ages 10-17, maximum height 5'8" (no minimum height)
12:00-12:45 PM | Ladies ages 13-18, between 5'0"-5'6"
1:30-4:30 PM | Ladies ages 9-18, above 4'5" through 5"0"

Ladies from the 12:00-12:45 PM audition may be asked to stay for the 1:30 PM audition.

Thursday, September 14
Registration begins 1 hour prior to audition
5:00-6:30 PM | Ladies ages 8-10, maximum height 4'5" (no minimum height)

The age and height parameters are strict and students who do not fall within the parameters will not be admitted into the audition.

Availability:
Dancers must be available for rehearsals in September, October, November and December. Rehearsals begin September 24 and take place at Joffrey Tower. Performances take place December 1-30 at the Auditorium Theatre (no performance December 25).

About Joffrey's The Nutcracker
Journey inside Chicago's 1893 World's Fair with Christopher Wheeldon's critically acclaimed holiday masterpiece. When young Marie and her mother, a sculptress who is creating the fair's iconic Statue of the Republic, host a holiday party, a surprise visit from the charming Great Impresario sets off a Christmas Eve dream of whirlwind romance and adventure. A must-see tradition boldly reimagined for a new generation.