Auditions for The Nutcracker 2026

Italia Performing Arts will again be putting on its own production of The Nutcracker in December 2026. The Nutcracker is a ballet, with some dances in other styles. Almost all of the parts will be played by students of Italia Performing Arts, and by other children and teens who would like to join us.
We will have many parts for young children age 5+, as well as more demanding roles for older children and teens. Italia Performing Arts students should come to audition times according to their class listed here. Others should come according to age. The minimum age is 5 years, on the audition date or soon after.
We invite dancers to attend at the following times on Saturday August 29th:
10:00 am to 10:30 am
• Age 8 to 10
• Italia students: Ballet Pro A, Ballet Basics, Acro level 1
• Party Girls and Boys, Mice, Bonbons
10:30 am to 11:00 am
• Age 6 to 9
• Italia students: Ballet Primary, Tap
• Snowflakes

11:00 am to 11:30 am
• Age 10+
• Italia students: Ballet Pro B, Acro level 2 and above
• Soldiers, Chinese
11:30 am to 12:00 pm
• Age 5 to 6
• Italia students: Ballet Pre-Primary 2, Acro Darlings age 5+
• Angels
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
• Age 11+ and pointe
• Italia students: Ballet Pro B and all students age 12+
• Some of these roles are en pointe, so please bring pointe shoes if you have them
• Snowflakes, Flowers, Marzipan, Maids, Dolls, Soldier Dolls
Other Roles
• Clara, Sugar Plum Fairy, Fritz, Drosselmeyer, Nutcracker, Candy Canes, Chocolate, Spanish, other fairies, Party Scene adults: these roles will be chosen separately
Conditions
All children and teens selected for the show must be enrolled in regular dance classes, at Italia Performing Arts or elsewhere. Parents will be asked to sign a Performer Agreement, see below, committing their child to attend all rehearsals as well as their regular classes until the performance date.
The only costs for parents will be a $60 (plus tax) costume rental and cleaning fee for each dancer ($100 for dancers using more than one costume), and the price of their own tickets. The costume fee should be paid by the first rehearsal day, September 12th.
Rehearsals
Rehearsals will be every Saturday starting September 12th (no rehearsal October 17th or November 28th) at our Winchester studio. There will be a dress rehearsal at the venue on the evening before the performance. Times and other details to be confirmed.
Performance
We will have two performances in December 2026, provisionally in Front Royal. Details to be confirmed.
Performer Agreement
Parents: If your student is accepted for a part in The Nutcracker, you will be required to fill out and return our Performer Agreement. You can download this: Performer Agreement for The Nutcracker 2026 (PDF) https://italiapa.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Nutcracker-2026-Performer-Agreement.pdf. Copies will also be available at the studio on audition day.
Haymarket students: Auditions in Haymarket to be arranged, please contact us for details.