RMDT Nutracker Auditions FAQ's

Monday, May 13, 2024

2024 Nutcracker Casting

TBA after auditions May 13, 2024

COMING SOON

What is the Nutcracker?

2024 marks Rocky Mountain Dance Theatre's 27th year of producing the annual the Nutcracker Ballet in Cody, in December. This full-length professional production features guest dancers from well-known dance companies in the United States along with over 100 children and adults from Cody and the surrounding areas. RMDT is the non-profit organization affiliated with Rocky Mountain School of the Arts also in Cody, Wyoming.

When is the Nutcracker audition?

BEFORE AUDITION DAY EVERYONE NEEDS to: 

  1. SUBMIT an online audition FORM, 1 for each participant
  2. REGISTER/ENROLL into our "RMDT Nutcracker 2024" Program. (Online OR via our studio app in your portal)

Please help us spread the word, keep following our facebook event, our social media, and this web page for updates.

Audition Days & Times *come for the time slot of your child's current age or RMSA class level

Monday, May 13, 2024; 4:00-7:00

4:00-4:15        Boys & Girls: 5 & 6 years old by May 13 OR RMSA 2024 Early Childhood Dance 5 YO students

4:15-4:30        Females: 7 & 8 year olds OR RMSA Academy 1 & 1B female students

4:30-5:00       Female: RMSA Academy 2 & 2B students

          5:00-5:30       Females: 9 years + w/o pointe shoes OR RMSA Academy 3+ female students w/o pointe shoes

5:30-5:45       Males: 7 and older*

5:45-7:00       Pointe auditions (any female over the age of 11* with pointe shoes)

*PLEASE NOTICE: Adults (18 and older) who are not current RMSA students will have a possible auditions TBD; follow us on social media for announcement of time & day.

Who can Audition? ANYONE

  • Do they have to belong to RMSA dance studio?
    No, but if they are given a pointe role, they must enroll in ballet and pointe class twice a week at RMSA.

    • Please understand, those enrolled in RMSA ballet classes receive technical training and foundation that the majority of Nutcracker roles/choreography require. Most Nutcracker participants are RMSA dancers so, we strongly encourage taking RMSA ballet classes to enhance Nutcracker participation opportunities.
  • Do they have to have dance experience?
    No, there are many character roles for older participants. Younger participants may be awarded a dance
    role.

    • Please understand, participants in the Nutcracker are not attending a dance class but a rehearsal or practice where the cast will learn steps, formations, and staging in order to perform their roles they were casted into. If you are interested in enrolling into any of our dance classes click here.

Where is the audition?

Rocky Mountain School of the Arts; 2613 Sheridan Ave., Cody, Wyoming

What to wear to auditions?

Males:  Black sweats or shorts, solid white t-shirt, white or black ballet shoes (black socks if you don’t have ballet shoes)

Females:  Dance leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes.  Optional: ballet skirt (will need BLACK leotard & pink tights & pink ballet shoes for all rehearsals)

*IF you don’t have dance attire, wear something you can move in easily, and socks. We do have an onsite dance store that will be open Monday, May 13 from 3:45-5:15. When rehearsals start in September proper RMDT Nutcracker rehearsal attire is a requirement; dress attire is explained in the online audition form & registration policies.

BEFORE AUDITION DAY EVERYONE NEEDS to:

  1. SUBMIT an online audition FORM, 1 for each participant
  2. REGISTER/ENROLL into our "RMDT 2024 Nutcracker" Program. (Online or via our studio app)

Please help us spread the word, keep following our facebook event, our social media, and this web page for updates.

What to expect at the audition?

  • Arrive at least 5 minutes BEFORE scheduled time slot.
  • Once you arrive; those auditioning will need to check in and they will be given numbers to pin on them.
  • We ask that the waiting area/studio remain calm & quiet so everyone can hear for instructions & when groups are called.
  • Those auditioning will be called by time slotted groups into the dance studio and asked to perform different steps or act out different roles.
    • Our youngest auditionees; the director is seeing how well they listen, can follow directions, and that they can be independent of their parents (entering a room without crying)
  • Parents cannot watch or be in the audition room.
  • After a group is done auditioning, they are released to go home. Please leave numbers & pins at sign in table.

What happens after the audition?

It will be several weeks after auditions till casting will be posted. Once the casting is determined, an email will be sent to ALL auditionee parents/guardians with the casting list and important participation information. The casting will also be posted on the website:  www.rockymountaindancetheatre.org, will be announced with a Studio App push notification; (opt into the GROUP "RMDT Nutcracker Participants"), and our social media platforms.

If you receive a role, rehearsals will begin in September for most roles and most rehearsals will be Monday’s after school until we get closer to performance date. Information how to access the rehearsal calendars will be sent with cast announcements.

What is the fee to participate in Nutcracker?

  • The fee to participate is $45 for one role, $25 for each additional role. This fee covers rehearsals and costume rental/cleaning.
  • Full fee amount is due before the first rehearsal in September.
  • This fee does not cover dance shoes, tights, leotards, etc.
  • Nutcracker fees will be posted to your online account after the casting is announced and you can manually pay in advance.  If you are new to our system, be watching for emails how to access your online portal.

2024 Performances & Important Dates:

week/weekend of December Tentatively December 13, 14, & 15, 2024

  • Dress Rehearsal; Thursday, Dec TBD
  • School Performances; Friday morning, Dec TBD (Traditionally Friday of Nutcracker weekend; typically, 2 abbreviated performances back-to-back only for schools in the area to attend)
  • Production: Saturday, Dec TBD; 7:00
  • Production: Sunday, Dec TBD; 2:00

Other Expectations of Participating in the Nutcracker?

Please be aware, as this is a professional production, attendance to all practices/rehearsals is extremely important.  Participants are allowed two absences; which includes sports, sickness, or family vacations.  If you will not be able to participate because of the attendance policy, Elizabeth will have to assign the roles given to your participant to someone else.

Rehearsals begin in September and are once a week with roles rehearsing 15-30 minutes each role. In November, the roles begin rehearsing as scenes and rehearsals are longer 30-45 min each scene. Around the 2nd week in November rehearsals switch to 2 times a week; typically, Monday & Fridays. The week of Nutcracker typically includes rehearsals/dress rehearsals, and performances everyday except Tuesday.

If I have family/children participating; do I need to purchase tickets to attend the productions?

Yes, this has become a sell out production. ALL tickets are reserved seating and participants are notified when pre-public sale tickets are available and are given a discount code with an expiration date. After the code expires, tickets are full price and ticket sales are then open to the general public.

Any questions? Please feel free to call 307-527-9973