Nutcracker Auditions
We are thrilled to announce that our Winter 2025 production will be The Nutcracker and The Magic Carousel! We would like to invite all of our dancers to participate in this secular Music House version of The Nutcracker.
Our Nutcracker production will be casting for Principal roles and Ensemble roles. Music House will be holding auditions at both studios for Principal roles. If you would like to dance in the Nutcracker but would like a smaller role then please consider signing up for one of the Ensemble roles.
Principal roles are required to audition. You should expect to be available for additional rehearsals. Please review the prerequisites description for each role below.
Ensemble roles can register to participate in the production. Please review the prerequisites below and register for the Ensemble group you are interested in. You can be in more than one ensemble group if they are in different Acts/Scenes. Each Ensemble role has been assigned a studio they will rehearse at, either at our Humboldt Park Studio or at our West Rogers Park Studio, in addition to dress rehearsals and tech rehearsals at ChiArts.
Auditions
To register for an audition, dancers should be at least 6 years old with a minimum of one year of dance experience in ballet, jazz, tap, or hip hop. The audition fee is $10 to register.
Location:
Humboldt Park Studio (1018 N. California Ave)
Date:
Sunday September 8, 2024
Times:
Group #1: 6-9 years of age 3:30-4:30 PM
Group #2: 10+ years of age 4:30-6:00 PM
Location:
West Rogers Park Studio (2925 W Devon Ave)
Date:
Sunday September 15, 2024
Times:
Group #1: 6-9 years of age 4:00-5:00 PM
Group #2: 10+ years of age 5:00-6:30 PM
Please note: Roles will be announced by the end of September.
Gender and Casting
Our cast is set as gender-blind casting where students will often play roles of different genders than how they may identify themselves. However, if your child prefers to be cast in a role that aligns with their specific gender identity please let us know and/or encourage them to communicate this as well. Additionally, we may want to change the genders of certain characters to allow more opportunities for certain children, in these cases we can and will create a costume that fits the preferences of students.
Commitment Expectations
Everyone that auditions will be given a role. Rehearsals will be held on weekends or weeknights outside of class time. We expect your child to attend all required rehearsals, understanding that occasional conflicts may arise.
Please note, your dancer must be enrolled in a Music House dance class to participate in our Nutcracker Production.
Performance Information
We will be having two performances in February 2025
Date and time:
(Tentative)
Saturday February 15, 2025
Sunday February 16, 2025
Location: Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts), 2714 W Augusta Blvd
The Cast
Principle Cast (Requires more commitment time)
The following are the roles for which we will be auditioning along with a description of each character. Please review with your dancer the following so they are aware of each role and the character traits.
Clara
Minimum Requirements: Ages 10 and up with at least 5 years of dance experience
Role Type: Big Role, Soloist, Principle Role, Act 1 & 2
Dance Style: Ballet
Fritz (Frannie) and Rat King (same person)
Minimum Requirements: Ages 8 and up with at least 2 years of dance experience
Role Type: Big Role, Soloist, Principle Role, Act 1
Dance Style: Ballet, and/or hip hop
Assistant to Drosselmeyer/Nutcracker/Prince
Minimum Requirements: Ages 8 and up with 3 - 5 years dance experience
Role Type: Big Role, Soloist, Principle Role, Act 1 & 2
Dance Style: Ballet and Tap
Dance Teacher
Minimum Requirements: Ages 12 and up with 1 year of dance and/or acting experience
Role Type: Small Role, Small solo part, Acting involved, Act 1
Dance Style: Ballet
Ballerina Doll
Minimum Requirements: Ages 10 and up with more than 3 years of experience
Role Type: Medium Role, Soloist, Act 1
Dance Style: Ballet
Jack in the Box
Minimum Requirements: Ages 6 and up with more than 2 years of experience
Role Type: Medium Role, Soloist/ Duo, Act 1
Dance Style: Ballet or hip hop
Hot Chocolate
Minimum Requirements: Ages 8 and up with 3 - 5 years dance experience
Role Type: Medium Role, Soloist, Act 2
Dance Style: Ballet
Cotton Candy
Minimum Requirements: Ages 8 and up with 3 - 5 years dance experience
Role Type: Medium Role, Soloist, Act 2
Dance Style: Ballet
Saltwater Taffy
Minimum Requirements: Ages 10+ with more than 4 years of experience and at least 4 years of ballet training
Role Type: Ensemble/Duo, Act 2
Dance Style: Ballet
Friends of Clara & Fritz:
Minimum Requirements: Ages 7 and up with at least 2 years of dance experience
Role Type: Medium Role, Ensemble/ Small Group, Act 1
Dance Style: Ballet
Snow/Bataille De la Fleur
Minimum Requirements: Ages 10 and up with at least 5 years of ballet training
Role Type: Ensemble, Act 1
Dance Style: Ballet
Ensemble Roles
Each ensemble role has been designated a location where they will rehearse bi-weekly, at either the Humboldt Park Studio (HP) or at the West Rogers Park Studio (WRP). The location of the studio will be dependent on sufficient enrollment for each role.
Carnival Walkers (HP)
Minimum Requirements: Ages 4 and up
Role Type: Small Role, Ensemble/ Small Group, Act 1
Dance Style: Open to any style
Gummy Bears (HP)
Minimum Requirements: Ages 6 and up
Role Type: Small Role, Ensemble/ Small Group, Act 2
Dance Style: Hip Hop
Popcorn (HP)
Minimum Requirements: Ages 6 and up
Role Type: Medium Role, Ensemble/ Small Group, Act 1
Dance Style: Hip Hop
Soldiers (HP)
Minimum Requirements: Ages 6 and Up
Role Type: Medium Role, Ensemble/ Small Group, Act 1
Dance Style: Tap
Mice (WRP)
Minimum Requirements: Ages 6 and up
Role Type: Small Role, Ensemble/ Small Group, Act 1
Dance Style: Tap
Walnuts (WRP)
Minimum Requirements: Ages 7 and up with at least 2 years of dance experience
Role Type: Medium Role, Ensemble/ Small Group, Act 1
Dance Style: Hip Hop
Jr Snow (WRP)
Minimum Requirements: Ages 8 and up with more than 3 years of ballet training
Role Type: Ensemble
Dance Style: Ballet
Fairies (WRP)
Minimum Requirements: Ages 8 and up with more than 2 years of ballet training
Role Type: Ensemble
Dance Style: Ballet
Interested in what each role looks like? Watch our video of The Nutcracker and the Magic Carousel 2023.
If you have any additional questions please let us know! Everyone is invited and encouraged to participate in The Nutcracker and the Magic Carousel! We look forward to an amazing production season with your talented dancers!
