FRESNO – Open auditions for over 100 student roles in Fresno Ballet Theatre’s 2017 production of The Nutcracker will be held on Sunday, June 24, from noon to 5:30 p.m. in the dance studio of the music building at California State University Fresno.
Roles are available for male and female dance, gymnastics, and drama and cheer students of all experience levels, ages 5 and up. Many roles do not require any dance experience.
Auditions are divided into five categories based on height and dance experience. Specific audition times for each role and category of dancers is available at www.valleyperformingartscouncil.org, and on their Facebook page.
To participate in auditions, children must be 5 years old by Sept. 1, 2018. Dancers may audition for more than one part. Audition results will be announced on the same day as auditions. Parent meetings will also be held on audition day.
Performances of VPAC’s The Nutcracker, with the vibrant and innovative State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara, are scheduled for Nov. 23, at 1 and 6 p.m. at the William Saroyan Theatre. Student performers will be on stage alongside professional dancers including Australian Aaron Smyth who will appear as the “Snow Cavalier,” opposite Misty Copeland in Disney’s upcoming feature film The Nutcracker and the Four Realms,” scheduled for release in November 2018.
Smyth has been a company member with the American Ballet Theatre II in New York, The Royal Ballet in London and The Joffrey Ballet in Chicago where he danced soloist and principal roles. He now travels the globe as a principal guest artist.
Smyth has also won numerous medals in international ballet competitions and is the founding director of Dance For Humanity and wellness house EC1 Studios in London.
Students accepted to perform in the The Nutcracker will be eligible to perform in a March production of The Jungle Book.
This production is sponsored by Valley Performing Arts Council.
