Auditions for The Nutcracker
Score Written by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Directed and Choreographed by Jennifer Verba
Associate Choreographer Krista Shovlin
Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center announces auditions for Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker to be held Saturday, September 27, 2025, for Dancers in Kindergarten through 12th Grade.
The Audition
Auditions will be held Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 9:00am – 1:00pm in Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center’s Rehearsal Hall. Please enter through the Artist’s Entrance on 9th Street Entrance.
Auditions for dancers ages 6-11 will be held from 9:00am-9:30am.
Auditions for dancers in 7th-12th grade will be held from 9:30am-1:00pm.
(Students who do not train en pointe or partner will be dismissed between 11:30am-12:00pm.)Please arrive a minimum of 15 minutes before your scheduled audition time to check in.
Please bring a current headshot and resume.
Dancers should be prepared to do combinations in Ballet, Character & Pointe (if currently trained). Dancers ages 6-11 only need Ballet shoes; dancers ages 12-18 please bring Ballet & Pointe (only if currently trained) shoes. Proper dress attire for the audition - Option 1 (Feminine): dance leotard, tights, ballet skirt optional, and hair in a secure bun. Option 2 (Masculine): solid color fitted shirt, black jazz pants or tights, and hair secured back. No Jewelry.
Current Lincoln Park students under the age of 18 must download and complete the following Application for Minors in Performances form and bring with them to auditions.
Students under the age of 18 who do not attend Lincoln Park, please download and complete this full version of the form and bring to your audition.
To sign up for an audition time slot, please complete the online form.
**You will receive a confirmation email after completing the form.
Synopsis
Clara’s adventure captures the hearts of all ages in this holiday classic. Featuring Tchaikovsky’s enduring score, beautiful costumes and scenery and moving choreography, The Nutcracker is a special Lincoln Park tradition. The Nutcracker is a holiday fairy tale about a young girl, Clara, and her favorite Christmas Eve celebration. Her Godfather, the mysteriously magical Drosselmeyer, and his nephew join the festivities by presenting a puppet show in which dolls are transforming into life-sized dancers. This Christmas Drosselmeyer has a special gift for Clara, a beautiful nutcracker doll. The evening ends with Clara dancing with the nephew, hinting at a first romance for the young girl. With the doll’s magic, Clara experiences a dream-filled night of fantasy. At the stroke of midnight, Clara’s dream is invaded by life size mice and a mouse king. The Christmas tree magically begins to grow, and the Nutcracker comes to life. The Nutcracker and his soldiers save her from the Mouse King and whisks Clara away through the enchanted Land of the Snow. Clara and the Nutcracker Prince dance amongst the Snow Queen and Snowflakes. Clara’s dream continues in the second act when the Nutcracker Prince takes her to The Land of the Sweets where they are met by the Sugar Plum Fairy. The Sugar Plum Fairy introduces them to sweets including Land of the Sweet Prince and Princess, Cupcakes, Bon Bons, Licorice, Lollipops, Candy Canes, Marzipans, Bakers & Gingerbreads, Flowers & Dew Drop, and an entertaining variation from the Sugar Plum Fairy
All are presented again in a lively finale. Clara awakens from her dream and runs to the tree to embrace her special gift of the Nutcracker doll. Clara cherishes all the memories of her wonderful Christmas Eve dream.
Schedule
Rehearsal
*Each role will not be required to be at rehearsal every day.
Tuesday, November 4 - Friday, November 7, 2025: 4:00pm-9:00pm
Monday, November 10, 2025: 4:00-9:00pm
Wednesday, November 12 - Friday, November 14, 2025: 4:00pm-9:00pm
Monday, November 17 – Friday, November 21, 2025: 4:00pm-9:00pm
*Start Full Cast Rehearsals
Monday, November 24 - Tuesday, November 25, 2025: 4:00pm-9:00pm
Mandatory Run Through Rehearsals
Tuesday, December 2, 2025: 4:30pm-8:00pm
Wednesday, December 3, 2025: 4:30pm-8:00pm
Thursday, December 4, 2025: 4:30pm-8:00pm
Friday, December 5, 2025: 4:30pm-8:00pm
Mandatory Tech Rehearsals
Sunday, December 7, 2025: 1:00pm-6:00pm
Monday, December 8, 2025: 4:30pm-9:00pm
Tuesday, December 9, 2025: 4:30pm-9:00pm
Wednesday, December 10, 2025: 4:30pm-9:00pm
Thursday, December 11, 2025: 4:30pm-9:00pm
Performances (Mandatory)
Friday, December 12, 2025: 7:30pm
Saturday, December 13, 2025: 2:00pm
Saturday, December 13, 2025: 7:30pm
Sunday, December 14, 2025: 2:00pm
Friday, December 19, 2025: 7:30pm
Saturday, December 20, 2025: 2:00pm
Saturday, December 20, 2025: 7:30pm
Sunday, December 21, 2025: 2:00pm
Seeking strong dancers for Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center’s production of The Nutcracker. All genders, types, and ethnicities encouraged to audition.
Performers of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, gender identities and expressions, and performers living with disabilities are encouraged to audition.