GRINNELL NUTCRACKER AUDITIONS 2025
Open auditions will be held Saturday, August 17 – Location TBD.
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 the Nutcracker Auditions.
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.
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.
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 2025 participation fee is $145. 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.
Please email erin@balletdesmoines.org if you are unable to attend our audition and are interested in participating.
ABOUT THE PRODUCTION
What type of production will this be?
First and foremost, this is a community production of Ballet Des Moines’ The Nutcracker. All casting, staging of choreography, and running of rehearsals will be conducted by Ballet Des Moines staff. Either Ballet Des Moines Artistic Staff or Dancers will be traveling to Fairfield to run these rehearsals.
Where and when will rehearsals take place?
Rehearsals will take place Sunday mornings and afternoons (exact start date and location TBD)
What if the roads are too dangerous for a Ballet Des Moines representative to travel to Grinnell for rehearsals?
Safety is our top priority. If the highways and local streets prohibit travel, we may cancel the rehearsal day and all families would be notified via email.
What is the timeline for auditioning, casting, and committing to participate?
The audition takes place Saturday, August 17. Within 1 week after the audition Ballet Des Moines will notify families of the role their dancer has been offered. Families will then have another 5-7 days to confirm or decline participation.
What if I/my dancer has an unexpected conflict or illness and can’t attend the audition?
We understand that these things happen! If your dancer is not able to attend, we will accept a video audition submitted on or before August 17. For more information please contact Erin Arndorfer at erin@balletdesmoines.org.
FIND ADDITIONAL GRINNELL FAQs BELOW THE REGISTRATION FORM
REGISTER FOR AUDITIONS
FAQs
When and where are performances taking place?
Des Moines' only professional production of The Nutcracker will take place November 29 & 30 at Grinnell High School.
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 necessarily represent the actual role you/your child is being considered for within the Nutcracker production.
What if I can't attend the August audition?
We will make an alternate audition option available to those families who cannot make the August 17 audition. Please email erin@balletdesmoines.org if you are unable to attend our audition and are interested in participating.
Is there a fee to participate?
Yes. The participation fee for Ballet Des Moines' Nutcracker performers is $145 including costumes (family must purchase shoes and tights), rehearsals, performances, and a personalized social graphic.
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 assistance and information about scholarships and other assistance programs.
Do I have to supply my own shoes and tights?
Yes. However, if your costume includes colored tights or shoes, BDM’s wardrobe department will coordinate the dying process.
When are rehearsals?
Rehearsals take place on Sundays (exact dates TBD).
What if I can't attend rehearsals every Sunday?
It is the responsibility of each student to ensure rehearsals leading up to The Nutcracker productions are a priority to set themselves and other dancers up for success. With limited rehearsals for our touring locations we do ask that dancers are at all rehearsals. We realize illness and emergencies arise and we will try to be accommodating should this 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?
Dancers in Ballet Des Moines production of The Nutcracker in Grinnell will be in both performances!
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 ensure the many dancers in The Nutcracker are placed in appropriate roles for their skill level. We do not allow for roles to be switched upon casting.
Can my child dance in multiple studio’s productions of The Nutcracker?
YES! As long as there are no scheduling conflicts, we would love the opportunity for your dancer to be on stage with our company professionals this December as well as other productions. If you have any questions regarding schedules, please contact our Nutcracker Rehearsal Director at erin@balletdesmoines.org.