The Nutcracker Youth Participant Programs

Rehearsal Schedule
This rehearsal schedule is subject to change. Remaining rehearsal dates are still to be confirmed.

General Requirements
Aged 12 – 17 years
Dance training required, ballet is a definite asset

How To Register
Students interested in auditioning must register for a specific audition by filling out our online registration. Participants auditioning for the Touring Cast must audition in Toronto and be 12 years of age or older.

How the Program Works

• After completing your online registration, you will be contacted individually to confirm your audition time within one week of the audition date.
• The audition is approximately 40-60 minutes, during which time excerpts of the Nutcracker, a Canadian Tradition choreography are taught by the Ballet Jörgen repetiteur. The students are assessed for their musicality, technique, poise, ability to learn choreography, characterization and performance quality. While some decisions are made within that initial audition time, some students may be asked to dance again for a Final Selection.
• Touring cast selections will be made after auditions are finished. The final assignment of specific Tour Cast roles, including understudies, is made during the subsequent weekly rehearsal process as the Ballet Jörgen repetiteur and the company’s Artistic Director become more familiar with each young tour member. All the show choreography is taught and rehearsed by a Ballet Jörgen repetiteur.
• The rehearsals for the touring cast will be extensive. Dancers must be fully available for daily rehearsals from August 22-26 in Toronto. Rehearsals will continue throughout the fall, taking place in Toronto on weekends and weeknights for the lead roles. The Cast will have studio dress rehearsals and may be required to view performances. Rehearsals with the Full Company will take place in Toronto from September to December and will require attendance during week day school hours.
• The Tour performances will be divided amongst the cast members, no cast member will be expected to dance for the whole duration of the tour. Some locations incur overnight stays other do not. When there are overnight stays, the Company provides transportation from Toronto and back. All food and lodging expenses are covered by the Company.

Roles – Touring cast members
# to be cast – 12-14
Approximate Heights – 4’11″ – 5’7″
Approximate Ages – 12-17yrs

Breakdown of Youth Tour Cast Members by Role

Other roles danced by those cast as Family Children include:

Touring Youth Cast Role Descriptions in the Nutcracker, a Canadian Tradition

Klara – Klara is the lead youth female character in the ballet and dances throughout the show, starting at the beginning in the School House Scene, right until the end, asleep after her dream.

Family Child/Nutcracker Prince – The family child /Nutcracker Prince is the lead youth male character in the ballet and dances throughout the show, starting as a member of the Farm Family at the beginning of the ballet in the School House Scene, and as the Nutcracker Prince beginning in the Battle Scene.

Family Children – The Family Children are the children of the town’s families and dance at the beginning of the ballet in the School House Scene.

Sock Bunny – The Sock Bunny fights against the Owl, Bat, Wolf, and Fox along with the Nutcracker Prince, Klara, the Mounties and Skipping Rope Handles. The battle is the second scene in the first act.

Rats – The rats skulk in the School House after dark when Klara wakes all alone after a nap.

Dragonflies (sometimes danced by the touring cast) – The Dragonflies are from the Summer Land, in the second act, and they perform with the Dragonfly dancer from the Company.

Beavers – The Beaver pushes Klara and the Nutcracker Prince in the canoe. They take them from the Kingdom of Snow to the Summer Land in the Second Act.

White-tailed Deer – The Deer push Klara and the Nutcracker Prince’s sleigh. They transport them after the battle to the Kingdom of Snow and then back again to the School House at the very end of the show.

What is provided?

Accommodation for the cast members while performing on tour is provided, along with all meals. Cast members are chaperoned at all times. Transportation for touring performances is provided from Toronto (and direct vicinity) and back to Toronto. Cast members travel in the Company mini-vans driven by either Clea Iveson, Education Manager or Bengt Jörgen, Artistic Director. On theatre days, when there isn’t an overnight stay meals are provided as needed. Detailed itineraries with all travel, accommodation, venue and logistic details are provided to each cast member as well as a copy for the family.

Are there forms to sign?

Yes, we will ask for a consent form and a health form to be completed and signed prior to any cast member travelling with the Company on tour. This is in addition to the regular participation and permission form.

Am I expected at every rehearsal?

Yes, at every rehearsal you are called to be at. If a rehearsal is missed, cast members must be prepared for changes to be made in casting or performing. All casting is subject to change and is based from the progress at rehearsals and on stage. Rehearsal schedules are subject to change but you will always be notified.

Am I expected at every show?

No, we will ask your availability early on but we do expect you to be available for a minimum of 50% of the performances. You must attend every onstage rehearsal at any venue in which you are scheduled to perform. Failure to attend a spacing or notes and corrections rehearsal on stage will mean that you will not perform in that venue at all.

When will I know my performance schedule & show casting?

We will provide a basic touring schedule by early October, the detailed itinerary will come about 1 week or more prior to departure on tour. The Show casting will be published in early November and will always be subject to change.

What do I need to bring on tour?

When packing to go on tour, bring what you would bring if you were going on a trip. Just remember that you must be able to carry your bag and it has to fit in the van!
You should pack the following:

• Comfortable, warm casual clothing for travelling, including boots, hats, mitts
• Dance clothes, to wear during rehearsals
• Sweat pants/warm-up pants, sweaters to wear at the theatre over your dance clothes
• Your wardrobe for the show, including tights, body suits
• One nice pair of pants and shirt (in case of a reception following the show)
• Make-up, hair brushes, toothbrushes, etc
• Books/quiet games
• Homework
• Important Phone Numbers (your parents, other relatives)
• Your Itinerary (you must have this with you at all times)
• Tupperware (to store left-overs and snacks)
• Anything else that will make you feel comfortable while on tour

During tour, it is helpful to have 3 bags – a suitcase, a backpack and a dance bag.

A Dance Bag, referred to on tour and on your itinerary as ‘Bee Bags’

This bag should contain everything you need while in the theatre. After every show, the Bee Bags are packed up and put on the truck and unloaded into the theatre before the show. You will not have access to these bags between shows.

A Backpack

Pack in your backpack things you would like to keep with you at the theatre, and as you travel in the van, such as books, homework, your itinerary, tupperware, toothbrush, hairbrush, make-up.

A Suitcase

Your suitcase will stay in the van when travelling and live at the hotel, so you will not have access to it in the theatre. Just pack everything else you need in here, such as pyjamas and extra clothes.

It is a good idea to have two sets of toiletries, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, hairbrush etc to pack in your suitcase in the hotel, and one in a bag at the theatre, so you will never forget anything important.

If you have any medications you need to take while away, please let the chaperone know. The chaperone is available to answer any questions and deal with any problems that may come up.

What You Need for the Audition
There is no need to prepare a dance piece nor bring a portfolio or bio to the audition. Students should wear the dance clothes normally worn at their local dance classes. You will be asked to dance choreography that we teach you.

What You Need for the Tour
Costumes and shoes for the show are provided by Canada’s Ballet Jörgen but participants will need their own undergarments, equipment students already own for their regular dance classes. Upon cast member registration each participant will have the opportunity to order a keepsake Nutcracker Tour Shirt. A Company and Youth Cast photo will be taken at each performance and be made available to Cast members at the end of the Nutcracker performance season.

What to Bring on Tour
When packing to go on tour, bring what you would bring if you were going on a trip. Just remember that you must be able to carry your bag and it has to fit in the van!
You should pack the following:

• Comfortable, warm casual clothing for travelling, including boots, hats, mitts
  Dance clothes, to wear during rehearsals
• Sweat pants/warm-up pants, sweaters to wear at the theatre over your dance clothes
• Your wardrobe for the show, including tights, body suits
• One nice pair of pants and shirt (in case of a reception following the show)
• Make-up, hair brushes, toothbrushes, etc
• Books/quiet games
• Homework
• Important Phone Numbers (your parents, other relatives)
• Your Itinerary (you must have this with you at all times)
• Tupperware (to store left-overs and snacks)
• Anything else that will make you feel comfortable while on tour

During tour, it is helpful to have 3 bags – a suitcase, a backpack and a dance bag.
A Dance Bag, referred to on tour and on your itinerary as ‘Bee Bags’
This bag should contain everything you need while in the theatre. After every show, the Bee Bags are packed up and put on the truck and unloaded into the theatre before the show. You will not have access to these bags between shows.

A Backpack
Pack in your backpack things you would like to keep with you at the theatre, and as you travel in the van, such as books, homework, your itinerary, tupperware, toothbrush, hairbrush, make-up.

A Suitcase
Your suitcase will stay in the van when travelling and live at the hotel, so you will not have access to it in the theatre. Just pack everything else you need in here, such as pyjamas and extra clothes.

It is a good idea to have two sets of toiletries, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, hairbrush etc to pack in your suitcase in the hotel, and one in a bag at the theatre, so you will never forget anything important.

If you have any medications you need to take while away, please let the chaperone know. The chaperone is available to answer any questions and deal with any problems that may come up.

These items are to be worn under costumes during the show. See the attached sheet for the items for the part(s) you will be playing. Please write your initials inside your tights and body suits, as they will be put in the laundry after the show. Make-up and hair requirements are also included on the attached sheet. You are required to do your own hair and make-up while on tour.
 

Please view the document below

CBJ APPROPRIATE PHYSICAL CONTACT IN DANCE POLICY