Student Information for The Nutcracker

General Information 

The Nutcracker is a TWB company production. Although the school is very involved, the TWB artistic team is in charge of casting and production decisions.  

Roles – Roles are decided by numerous company and faculty members. Decisions are based on ability for specific choreography and size appropriate to the role and costume. Roles are not given based on class level.  

Act One Roles, pick up at Intermission approx. 45 min after start of show:
Party Children including Fritz, Mice, Soldiers, Dolls, Bunnies, Equestrian and Snow Angels 

Act Two Roles with pick up at one hour 15 min after start of show:
Mushrooms, Bees, Flower Pages, Butterflies 

Act Two Roles included in Finale pick up at end of the show:
Flower Pages, Chinese (includes Fishtail and Fisher Boy), Frontier and Clowns 

Casts – This year, there are 35 shows. There are multiple casts, named for jewels, and each of these casts are assigned to show dates. Each cast has several “alternates”. When a child is sick in one cast, their alternate in another cast is called to replace the sick child. Casting for 2024 will be announced by Nov. 6 (subject to change). Only the artistic team may replace an alternate, parents may not contact other alternates to perform in place of their child.  

Purchasing Tickets: Do not purchase tickets until you know your child’s specific performance dates. Purchase tickets here: https://www.washingtonballet.org/events/the-nutcracker-20th-anniversary/ 

Our ticketing department will reserve seats from the general public to be released after we announce final casting. They will also create a discount code for our families which you can share. Ticket questions: tickets@washingtonballet.org 

Siblings – our staff will try their best to overlap casts for siblings. Our system recognizes siblings by account. If you have multiple children enrolled be sure that you do not have two accounts or the students will not be recognized as siblings.  

Where do I register for the audition? https://campscui.active.com/orgs/TheWashingtonBallet?season=3511335&session=63924836 

Where do I see audition results: You will be emailed audition results via your ACTIVE account email 

• Audition registration is open Sep 6 – 20. Auditions are Sep 28-29.  

• Audition results are emailed by 11pm Wed, Oct 2.  

How do I prepare my child for the audition and results – Whatever role they receive, you can help your child by being excited about it. Each role is special and important. If your child is not cast, let them know that this is not a reflection of their training or their potential. They gave it their best shot and they will have other opportunities to perform during their school year.  

Rehearsals – Please note that you can help your student process the rehearsals by asking them about the rehearsals, demonstrating what they learning. Rehearsals for professional productions can be tedious for a child. Please encourage your child to always pay attention especially when their alternate is rehearsing; this perspective is so helpful.  

What we can and cannot do – We are unable to take carpool requests and we cannot change casts to accommodate friend groups. We will do our best to accommodate siblings, but please keep in mind that casting and productions are complicated and not every schedule may align. You can help your student by reminding them that they will make new friends and these rehearsals and shows are a really special opportunity for your student to make connections and have a truly amazing experience on stage.  

Volunteers- At each performance we will have about 110 students on stage. We need 12-15 volunteers per performance. If you are interested in being a volunteer for one of your child’s shows please attend the Volunteer Meeting in October (date/time will be posted on our website).  

Rules and Participation Agreement 2024 –  

• All rehearsals, both in the studio and at the theater, are mandatory. We cannot accommodate vacation requests. There are a few rehearsals that require your student to be released early from school on specific dates. We will get that information to you as soon as we can.  

• Dismissal for absences or tardiness 

• Roles and casts are not able to be altered. You may not “switch” roles or request an alternate for any assigned dates.  

• Please find additional information via the link above. Read carefully! 

 

Open Q&A from Participants 

How many casts do we have? 3-6 casts depending on how many children audition and the needs of the production.  

What levels may be considered for each role –  

PB3- Mushroom and Bee 

1A- Bee, Snow Angel, Party, Mouse 

1B- Snow Angel, Mouse, Party, Flower Page, Little Fishtail, Fisher Boy 

2- Doll (that come out of the tree), Soldier, Flower Page, Party, Little Fishtail, Fisher Boy 

3-Soldier, Party, Doll, Flower Page, Clown, Fritz  

4a-Soldier, Valley Forge Bunny (with Soldiers), Clown 

4b- Valley Forge Bunny, Clown, Little Butterfly 

5- Valley Forge Bunny, Little Butterfly, Frontier Girl 

6- Little Butterfly, Frontier Girl, Equestrian (horse in battle scene) 

7-Frontier Girl, Equestrian (horse in battle scene) 

8- Frontier, Chinese Umbrella Girl, Clara’s Girl Friend 

What are auditions like?  Students will be dropped off at the entrance to the main building at 3515 Wisconsin Ave and picked up at the same entrance. Our staff will greet you and direct the students to the studio immediately inside the entrance where they will check in and receive an audition number. Older students will assist younger students as we move from the check-in room to the audition room on the first floor. Our team is super friendly and will teach choreography to the students first and then audition groups of about 4 at a time. Older students will go to a warmup class first where choreography will be introduced. They will then move to the audition studio and be ready to go.  

Audition results will be posted by 11pm on the Wednesday following auditions. If your child has received a role you will then be able to click on the rehearsal schedule that will show you the specific day and times for the given role.  

Do parents wait outside during auditions – Yes, we’ll have older students and faculty to help inside. They will be dismissed at the front door.  

What if we’ve already made vacation plans? – Being a part of this production is an amazing experience, but it does require a full commitment. If you already have travel plans for this year, please choose another year to participate when your child can fully commit. Last year we had a family leave after Christmas which left the alternates to pick up those shows in addition to their own schedule. This is not fair to all the families who do fully commit. Alternates should only be called in case of emergency such as illness.  

Rehearsal times – Our staff has attempted to schedule rehearsals at times that do not conflict with regular classes but with multiple levels within a role this is almost an impossible task. If your child is called to a rehearsal that conflicts with class time you may choose to decline the role this year. You may also ask your Principal if make-up classes can be arranged.  

When are we called to the theater? – Call Time is one hour prior to show time. If your child’s performance is at 7m Call Time is at 6pm. Students should all be signed in at the theatre within 5 minutes of Call Time. Students who are only in Act One will be released at Intermission, aprox. 45 min after the start of the show. Students in the opening of Act Two will be released about 1.25 hours after the start of the show. Students in the Finale scene will be released at the end of the performance.  

Do schools usually let the children out early for early call-times? Yes 

Are there changes to the roles this year? There are small changes that may affect numbers of the roles. Most anticipated updates are in the costumes and props.  

Rehearsals – both Saturdays and Sundays. 1-2 hours per day. Once roles are cast, you will be able to see your schedule via the Parent Portal by 11pm on the Wednesday after the auditions.  

What if my child is sick – If your child is sick, please let us know immediately. Unfortunately, if a child is unable to participate in multiple rehearsals, they will be unable to catch up with the choreography and may be released from the show. We do not have the ability to “make up” rehearsals.  

What happens if we are watching the show, do we have to get a ticket for our child to see Act Two if we pick up at Intermission- Parents who are in the audience may leave their child backstage for the entire show and pick up immediately at the end of the show (young children become anxious if parents are late for pick-up). Please discuss your plans with your child at drop off prior to the show. Make sure you are clear that you are picking up at the end of the show and not at the usual pick-up time. If you have a child who is released at intermission and would like to see Act Two you must purchase a seat. Our ticketing department will reserve seats from the general public to be released after we announce final casting. They will also create a discount code for our families which you can share.  

More questions: email dglover@washingtonballet.org 

 

SAVE THE DATE – Dec 8 for the Nutcracker Tea! 

This special event is held at the Waldorf Astoria and directly benefits The Washington School of Ballet’s Tuition Assistance and Scholarship initiative. Find out more about what you can enjoy here: https://www.washingtonballet.org/events/the-nutcracker-tea-party-2024/

Weekend 1 – Sat, 10/5 – Sun, 10/6

NO REHEARSALS – Sat, 10/12 – Sun, 10/13

Weekend 2 – Sat, 10/19 – Sun, 10/20

Weekend 3 – Sat, 10/26 – Sun, 10/27

Weekend 4 – Sat, 11/2 – Sun, 11/3 – Performance Casts for 2024 will be announced by Nov. 6 (subject to change)

Weekend 5 – Sat, 11/9 – Sun, 11/10

Weekend 6 – Sat, 11/16 – Sun, 11/17

Weekend 7 – Sat, 11/23 – Sun, 11/24

TECH/DRESS REHEARSALS – THE WARNER THEATER
Tue, 11/25 – Fri, 11/29

PERFORMANCES – THE WARNER THEATER
Sat, 11/30 – Sun, 12/29