Dear Parents of Level VII, VIII, and Advanced C Students:
We are excited to present Momotaro as the 25/26 season Family Matinee, created by PNB Resident Choreographer, Jessica Lang and creative associate Kanji Segawa. Momotaro is a legendary Japanese tale of bravery, resilience, compassion and the value of trust and teamwork. The Family Matinee is a wonderful opportunity for our upper-level students to perform in McCaw Hall in a one-hour ballet, created especially for family audiences. We will hold auditions on Sunday, September 28 at the Phelps Center. Auditions are open to PNB School students in Levels VII, VIII, and Advanced C. We encourage all students to audition, though there is a large time commitment for the entire rehearsal and performance period, as detailed in the document linked below.
Momotaro will have up to two casts of students. Casting decisions are based on performing ability, musicality, presence, technique, and attendance. All casting decisions are made by the Artistic Staff. While we encourage all eligible students to audition, we may not have roles for every student who auditions. Students are required to register online for the Momotaro audition by Wednesday, September 24 at 9:00 PM (see link below).
Please consider the following information before your student auditions for Momotaro:
Student Commitment
· Those selected for roles in Momotaro must be available for the entire rehearsal and performance period, from February 21 – March 29, 2026. Unlike other years when the rehearsal period is spread out over multiple months, the choreography and rehearsal period for Momotaro will be a short, but intense period. Full participation in rehearsals is mandatory. Please only audition if you are fully available for the entirety of the time commitment.
· 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. This will be especially important for Momotaro due to the condensed rehearsal period.
· Dropping out of Momotaro for any reason, other than illness, injury, or family emergency is a break in the student’s commitment. If the commitment is broken, the student will not be considered for future Company productions.
· Attendance at regular PNB School classes is mandatory during the Momotaro rehearsal and performance period. Participation in Momotaro is not a substitute for ballet training.
· If a student is injured/not taking technique classes, including pointe class if they have a pointe role, at any time during the Momotaro rehearsal and performance period, they cannot participate in Momotaro rehearsals or performances.
· Once the Momotaro rehearsal period begins, if a student’s injury prevents them from attending and fully participating in their daily PNB School technique and/or pointe classes, the student will be withdrawn from Momotaro rehearsals and performances in order to concentrate on their physical health and return to full school class participation.
· If a student has sustained an injury prior to the Momotaro rehearsal period, the student must be cleared for and participating fully in their daily PNB School technique and/or pointe classes by February 1, 2026, in order to participate in Momotaro rehearsals.
· All Momotaro rehearsals will be at the Phelps Center in Seattle.
· Costume Fittings: We will need to call most students multiple times over the coming months (from October through March) for costume fittings as we build costumes for this new production. Students will likely be called for costume fittings prior to rehearsals beginning in February. As possible, fittings will be scheduled around PNB School class times. Fitting requests will be emailed to families as they are needed.
Please click here for detailed information regarding auditions and a general schedule, including rehearsals and performance dates as well as the link to register for the audition. For questions, please contact Student Cast and Parent Volunteer Coordinator Lauren Kirchner at lkirchner@pnb.org. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday, September 28.
Sincerely,
Peter Boal (he/him/his)
Artistic Director