Dance auditions by appointment for a reimagined, audience participation production of The Nutcracker- DANCE IT YOURSELF (DIY) NUTCRACKER!

Personnel:

Producers: Alicia Lieu and Ian Brodsky

Director of Dance: Theresa Burns

Music Director: David Stech

Rehearses: December 5-30, off 12/24-26

Performs: One performance on December 30, with possible additional performance (pending ticket sales) also on 12/30, at Good Shepherd Church Sanctuary (152 W. 66th Street)

ACTOR/DANCERS MUST BE AVAILABLE TO REHEARSE AND PERFORM IN NYC 12/5-12/23 and 12/27-12/30 (dancers will not be called to every rehearsal) 

Seeking Actor/Dancers with excellent audience interaction skills. ALL CAST MEMBERS WILL INTERACT WITH THE AUDIENCE. A LOT. ALL CAST MEMBERS WILL TEACH THE AUDIENCE AND DANCE WITH THE AUDIENCE AND SHEPHERD THE AUDIENCE. ACTIVELY SEEKING A DIVERSE CAST.

Available Roles:

Clara- Female. A lovely, inquisitive, brave young girl. Seeking a strong actor and dancer (ballet, contemporary, theatre jazz) who is extremely comfortable interacting with and leading an audience. In the Land of Sweets, Clara will be “learning” the audience participation sequences with the audience and demonstrating them for the audience to follow.

Nutcracker Prince- Male. A brave, strong young man. Seeking a strong actor and dancer (ballet, contemporary, theatre jazz) who is extremely comfortable interacting with and leading an audience. In the Land of Sweets, he will be “learning” the audience participation sequences with the audience and demonstrating them for the audience to follow.

THE FOLLOWING FEATURED ROLES WILL PLAY ADDITIONAL ROLES. Actor/Dancers hired for these roles will also play characters such as Clara’s mother, Clara’s father, mice, party guests, ensemble, etc. Tracks to be determined. Actively seeking authentic representation in character dances.

Fritz/Mouse King: Male or Female. Clara’s annoying little brother, and later the leader of the Army of Mice. He battles the Nutcracker. Seeking a strong actor and excellent dancer (ballet, contemporary, theatre jazz, acro) who can lead and interact with the audience. Featured Skill: EXCELLENT JUMPER AND/OR ACRO

Uncle Drosselmeyer: Male or Female. Clara’s uncle. A HUGE presence- impressive, in charge, powerful, and ultimately an awesome uncle. Seeking an excellent actor and mover (ballet, contemporary, theatre jazz) who can command the space and can lead and interact with the audience. Experience with magic would be a sweet bonus, but is not essential.

Russian Dancer- Male or Female. “Candy Cane” in the Land of Sweets. Seeking an strong actor and excellent dancer (ballet, contemporary, theatre jazz, and acro) who can lead, teach, and interact with the audience. Featured Skill: EXCELLENT JUMPER AND/OR ACRO

Chinese Dancer- Male or Female. “Tea” in the Land of Sweets. Seeking a strong actor and excellent dancer (ballet, contemporary, theatre jazz, and Chinese Fan Dance) who can lead, teach, and interact with the audience. Featured Skill- CHINESE FAN DANCE

Arabian Dancer- Female. “Coffee” in the Land of Sweets. Seeking a strong actor and excellent dancer (ballet, contemporary, theatre jazz, and belly dancing) who can lead, teach and interact with the audience. Featured Skill- BELLY DANCING

Spanish Dancer- Male or Female. “Chocolate” in the Land of Sweets. Seeking a strong actor and excellent dancer (ballet, contemporary, theatre jazz, and flamenco) who can lead, teach, and interact with the audience. Featured Skill: FLAMENCO

Mother Ginger- Male or Female. Mother in the iconic giant skirt with kids hidden underneath it. Seeking a strong actor and dancer (ballet, contemporary, theatre jazz) who can lead the audience through a game of parachute. Featured Skill- GAME LEADER

Sugar Plum Fairy- Male or Female. Seeking a strong actor and incredible dancer (ballet en pointe, contemporary, theatre jazz) who can lead and interact with the audience. Featured Skill: BALLET EN POINTE

 

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:

Please email a headshot and resume to DIYNutcracker@gmail.com by 10pm, October 5.

- In the subject line, please put:

Role submitting for - Featured Skill (if applicable- from breakdown)- Union Status- Your Name

Examples:

Clara - AEA - Jane Doe

Mother Ginger - Game Leader - Nonunion- John Smith

- In the body of your email, please confirm that you are available to rehearsal in NYC from 12/5-23 and 12/27-30

SUBMISSIONS WITHOUT THE REQUESTED SUBJECT LINE FORMAT OR AVAILABILITY CONFIRMATION IN THE BODY WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Auditions are on October 11 and will consist of:

1. An initial group dance audition. A combination will be taught and dancers will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their featured skill. Groups will be assigned between 10am and 1:30pm. Some dancers will be called back.

2. Callbacks later that day, from 1:30-3pm, in which called back dancers will teach a group their featured skill (ex: a short, beginner Flamenco combination, a short jump combination, a new/unusual jump, etc). Dancers called back for Mother Ginger will teach/lead a short game of their choosing.

Audition location will be disclosed when you are assigned an appointment.