PNBSchool

Dear PNB Families,

Welcome back to another wonderful school year at PNB! We’re busy planning this season’s production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker^®. Each September, we anticipate the energy, joy, and laughter that accompanies this holiday tradition. In this letter you will find all the information regarding auditions, casting, rehearsals, performances, and an update on COVID protocols for this year’s production.

We intend to use as many students as possible this year. We will continue to utilize “swing” roles and will communicate those in the initial casting process. Students considered for Party Kids and Polichinelles may be cast in a role that doesn’t match their gender identity (e.g., girls may be cast as Party Boys or Polichinelle Boys). This is consistent with past practices for PNB’s Nutcracker, and standard for Nutcracker productions all over the country. All students, including those cast in swing roles, will have performance dates. Casting decisions are based on size, performing ability, musicality, technique, and behavior.

Students must be no taller than 5’2” at the audition time. Students injured on the audition date are not eligible to audition for The Nutcracker. All casting decisions are made by the Artistic Staff. While we encourage all eligible students to audition, we do not have roles for every student who auditions. Please discuss the possibility of disappointment with your child before the audition.

While participation in The Nutcracker is a rewarding experience for a young dancer, it does require a considerable commitment of time and energy from the entire family at a busy time of year.  Please consider the following before your child auditions for The Nutcracker.

·         Students are expected to be available for the entire rehearsal and performance period from October 2 through December 27, 2023. Please do not have your child audition if you anticipate any conflicts during that time.

·         We cannot excuse students from rehearsals or performances for vacations, family events, school events, etc.; the only acceptable reasons for missing rehearsal are illness, injury, and family emergencies.

·         Auditioning for The Nutcracker is a commitment from the student and parent. Dropping out of the production for any reason, other than illness, injury, or family emergency (including dissatisfaction with casting), is a break in the child’s commitment. The student will not be able to participate the following year if the commitment is broken.

·         All rehearsals and performances will be at the Phelps Center and McCaw Hall.

Parents’ participation is essential to the success of The Nutcracker. All parent volunteers must complete a background check to be eligible for a volunteer position. Assignments will be made by Student Cast and Parent Volunteer Coordinator Lauren Kirchner.

COVID continues to factor into our plans. We try to keep our policies consistent with the School’s polices, however, due to multiple union agreements, we may implement certain policies that differ. At this time, masking will be optional in rehearsals and backstage, and students will be unmasked onstage. If we need to implement masking and/or testing, we will do so.

Please click here for detailed information on auditions and a general schedule, including rehearsals and performance dates and important meetings. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday, September 24.

Sincerely, 

Peter Boal & Artistic Staff 

Artistic Director