community AUDITIONS 2024
Open auditions will be held
Sunday, August 25
BALLET DES MOINES
655 Walnut st, suite 120
des moines, ia 50309
Join us for Des Moines' only professional production of The Nutcracker, taking place at the beautiful historic Hoyt Sherman Place, December 12-15. Whether this is your tiny dancer's first stage performance or you have a budding Fritz or Clara at home, dancers in this production will rehearse and train alongside BDM's professional dancers and be part of a quintessential holiday tradition.
Please fill out the audition form below to reserve your spot in our upcoming auditions!
All dancers are requested to bring a headshot, no larger than 4×6 (this photo will not be returned). This does not need to be a professional photograph, but should provide an appropriate image of your child.
Audition Schedule
Please come to the age group based on dancers age as of October 1, 2024
Pickup will begin at the start of the registration time for the next group
Ages 5 and 6
9:30 am Registration
10:00-10:30 Audition
Ages 7 and 8
10:30 am Registration
11:00-11:45 am Audition
Ages 9 and 10
11:45 am Registration
12:15-1:15 pm Audition
LUNCH BREAK 1:15-2:00 pm
Ages 11 and 12*
2:00 pm Registration
2:30-3:45 pm Audition
Ages 13 and up*
3:30 pm Registration
4:00-5:30 pm Audition
*The 11+ age group will have a pointe section at the end, however if you aren’t on pointe then it is okay to do this part of the audition on flat.
Audition Dress Code and Required Materials
Female identifying dancers: please wear your hair in a ballet bun, a solid color leotard, ballet tights, and pink ballet shoes. The audition will take place in flat shoes, but if you dance on pointe, please bring your pointe shoes in the event we do a pointe section at the end of your audition.
Male identifying dancers: please wear a white t-shirt, black shorts or ballet tights and black ballet shoes.
Non-binary dancers may wear whichever attire they feel more comfortable in.
Please email erin@balletdesmoines.org if you are unable to attend our audition and are interested in participating.
Nutcracker Participation Fees
Participation fees for those cast in Ballet Des Moines' Nutcracker cover rehearsals, costumes, and a link to view your child’s performance. The 2024 participation fee is $130. Dancers will find out approximately one week from the audition if they’ve been cast in a role.
What if I can't afford the participation fee? Scholarships are available!
It is our policy that no student should be precluded from dancing at Ballet Des Moines for financial reasons. If the participation fee is out of reach for your family, please email erin@balletdesmoines.org for information about scholarships and other assistance programs.
FAQ
What if I can't attend the audition?
If candidates are unable to attend the scheduled auditions, alternate audition options are sometimes available. Please email erin@balletdesmoines.org if you are unable to attend our audition and are interested in participating.
My child turns five after the audition. Can they still audition?
Unfortunately, we ask that dancers are 5 years of age at the time of auditions.
Does my child/am I as a dancer learning actual choreography from The Nutcracker during the audition?
Our Nutcracker Rehearsal Director has created choreography for dancers of all levels. This choreography does not represent the actual role you/your child is being considered for within the Nutcracker production.
Do I have to supply my own shoes and tights?
Yes. If your costume includes colored tights or shoes (other than black, white, or pink), BDM’s wardrobe department will coordinate the dying process.
When are rehearsals?
Rehearsals take place weekly on Saturdays, beginning in October.
What if I can't attend every rehearsal?
It is the responsibility of each student to ensure rehearsals leading up to The Nutcracker productions are a priority. However, we understand that illness and emergencies may arise. Please discuss your availability and/or needs as early as they arise with our Nutcracker Rehearsal Director, Erin Arndorfer. She can be reached at erin@balletdesmoines.org.
How many/which performances will I be in?
The number of performances is dependent on the number of dancers auditioning and dancer availability for those communities with more than one performance.
What if I don't like my role?
All roles are loved equally by our audiences, however we understand that you may have had something else in mind. The professional staff at Ballet Des Moines provides strategic thought to ensuring the hundreds of dancers in The Nutcracker are placed in appropriate roles for their skill level. We do not allow for roles to be switched upon casting.
When and where are performances taking place?
The Nutcracker will take place December 12-15 at Hoyt Sherman Place.
Additional questions?
Please contact Erin Arndorfer at erin@balletdesmoines.org.