Thank you for your interest in auditioning for the Nutcracker Children’s Ensemble.
Pre-registration is now closed. If you have questions about your registration, please email [email protected].
Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) is looking for dancers between the ages of 7 and 15 years (as of December 31, 2024) to audition for children’s ensemble roles to take part in the Victoria performances of Nutcracker at the Royal Theatre from Nov 29 – Dec 1, 2024.
Auditioning dancers must be between 3’8″ and 5’6″ inclusive. RWB regrets that they are unable to allow for any exceptions to the age or height requirements. All rehearsals are conducted by Ursula Szkolak, Royal Winnipeg Ballet Rehearsal Assistant in Victoria.
Royal Winnipeg Ballet is looking for:
| Mounties (3’8″-4’10”) | Required to act and perform basic dancing/blocking actions, and wear/carry a large costume |
| Mice (3’8″-4’10”) | Required to perform basic dancing/blocking actions and wear large head piece |
| Party Children (3’8″-4’10”) | Required to act and perform intermediate dancing steps |
| Polar Bears (3’8″-4’10”) | Required to perform basic dancing/blocking actions and wear large head piece |
| Angels (3’8″-4’10”) | Required to act and perform intermediate dancing steps |
| Dieter* (3’8″-4’10”) | Required to act and perform advanced dancing steps |
| Reindeer (5’0″-5’6″) | Required to pull a sleigh and perform advanced dancing steps |
Audition Day:
When: Saturday, September 7, 2024
Where: Dance Victoria Studios – 2750 Quadra Street (north end of building)
Registration Fee: $25 (please use the form below)
DEADLINE for online payment and registration: Thursday September 5 at 12:00pm. We recommend giving yourself 10-15 minutes to complete the online registration.
10:00 – 11:30 am – Check in for ALL DANCERS
11:30 – 11:45 am – Break (15 min)
11:45 – 1:00 pm – Audition Class for 7-8 year olds
1:00 – 1:30 pm – Break (30 min)
1:30 – 2:45 pm – Audition Class for 9 years and older (Some of these dancers may be asked to stay for the Reindeer Audition)
2:45 – 3:00 pm – Break (15 min)
3:00 – 3:30 pm – Reindeer Audition (Invitation-only following the audition classes)
NOTE: Parents/guardians may not observe the audition.
Attire:
Female presenting children: black leotard (or darkest colour available), tights, ballet shoes, hair tidy in a bun.
Male presenting children: black shorts or tights, white T-shirt or leotard, ballet shoes, hair tidy and off the face.
NOTE: No skirts, jewelry, nail polish, or stage makeup please.
Checking in:
Children must be present when checking in on audition day to verify height requirement. (Registration for all dancers is from 10 am – 11:30 am.)
Photograph:
A current photograph is required when checking-in for the audition (head shot or school photos acceptable). Please Note: photographs will not be returned.
Casting notification:
The results of the auditions will be relayed to parents/guardians via email. There is no need for dancers or their families to contact RWB or Dance Victoria to inquire if they are cast. There is a $60 + GST participation fee for the Children’s Ensemble. Selected dancers will be required to submit this fee to accept the offered role, prior to the start of rehearsals.
Rehearsal schedule can be found here. Rehearsals will take place at Victoria Academy of Ballet, 2713 Quadra Street.
- Rehearsals will occur on Sundays, beginning after the Sep. 7 audition.
- Starting Nov. 25, dancers may be required for weekday evening rehearsals.
- Starting Dec. 27, dancers must be made available for afternoon and evening costume fittings, as well as rehearsals with the RWB Company Dancers.
NOTE: Dancers may be needed during school hours for Company rehearsals.
Performances will be at Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton Street, Victoria.
Thursday, Nov. 28 – Wardrobe Fittings & Spacing Rehearsal with Company (Afternoon/Evening)
Friday, Nov. 29 – Dress Rehearsal (Afternoon) & Performance #1 (Evening)
Saturday, Nov. 30 – Performance #2 (Matinee) & #3 (Evening)
Sunday, Dec. 1 – Performance #4 (Matinee) & #5 (Evening)
A more detailed production schedule for the costume fittings, rehearsals, and performances during the week of Nov. 25 will be provided by RWB Stage Management after the audition and once the details are confirmed.
Registration Steps:
There are two forms to fill out:
- Audition fee form (see below)
- Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s online registration form. We recommend giving yourself 10-15 minutes to complete the online registration.
Both forms must be completed by 12:00 pm, Thursday September 5.
Any questions may be directed to [email protected].
Thank you for your interest in auditioning for the Victoria performances of Nutcracker. Registration for auditions has now concluded for roles in the Children’s Ensemble. If you have questions about your registration, please email [email protected].