Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet Holds Local Auditions for The Nutcracker

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS, August 12, 2022 – Walton Arts Center is hosting auditions for the children’s cast in Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker from 1 to 6 pm on Sunday, Sept. 18 in Starr Theater.

Children will have the opportunity of a lifetime to perform on the Walton Arts Center stage accompanied by Canada’s finest dancers with all the beautiful scenery and costumes you’ve come to expect in this stunning presentation of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet. Relive Clara’s Christmas fantasy with familiar, endearing scenes and a few unique twists. Watch with delight as toys come to life, the Sugar Plum Fairy spreads her magic and valiant Nutcracker helps Clara defeat the evil Mouse King. The Nutcracker is a holiday tradition for the whole family to enjoy.

Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet is casting for the roles of Dieter, party children, Mounties, mice, angels, polar bears and reindeer. To audition, children must meet the following requirements:

• Age: 7 to 15 years old (as of Dec. 31, 2022)
• Height: Dancers must be between 3’-8” and 5’-3”
• Dance Attire for Audition
• Girls- Bodysuit (any solid color), tights, ballet slippers, hair in neat bun and no jewelry
• Boys- White shirt/bodysuit, black shorts or tights, ballet slippers, neat hair
• Children must be present when handing in the audition registration to verify height requirements and a current photograph will be required to register for the audition. Headshots or school photos are acceptable.
• Children who are cast must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to perform.

Auditions

Sunday, Sept. 18:

• 1 to 2:15 pm: Registration for all auditioning students in Starr Theater
• 2:30 to 3:45 pm: Audition class for children 7 to 8 years old
• 4 to 5:45 pm: Audition class for children 9 years and older

Tickets are on sale now for performances of The Nutcracker are 7 pm Friday, Nov. 25, 2 and 7 pm on Saturday, Nov. 26 and Sunday, Nov. 27 at 2 pm in Walton Arts Center’s Baum Walker Hall. Tickets range from $20 to $53 plus applicable fees and can be purchased in-person at the Walton Arts Center Box Office, by calling 479.443.5600 or by visiting waltonartscenter.org.

Detailed information about role demands, rehearsal schedules and audition requirements for Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s The Nutcracker can be found here. 

Walton Arts Center is Arkansas’ largest and busiest performing arts presenter. Each year more than 195,000 people from Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma and beyond attend more than 400 events at Walton Arts Center, including performances, rehearsals, community gatherings, receptions, weddings and more. Approximately 45,000 students and teachers participate annually in arts learning programs at Walton Arts Center, and almost 200 volunteers donate 21,000 hours of time each year to its operations. Walton Arts Center presents entertainers and artists from around the world including Broadway musicals, renowned dance companies, international artists, up-and-coming jazz musicians and more. As a non-profit organization, Walton Arts Center enjoys the generous support of public sector funding, corporate sponsorship and private donors who help bring world-class arts experiences to Northwest Arkansas. To learn more about Walton Arts Center, visit www.waltonartscenter.org.

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