“SUGAR HILL: The Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker”

Music and Lyrics by: Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn

Concept and Libretto by: Jessica Swan

Director/Supervising Choreographer: Josh Bergasse

Featured Choreographers: Jon Boogz, Caleb Teicher

Consulting Choreographer: Graciela Daniele

Film Director/Contributing Choreographer: Jade Hale-Christofi

Music Supervisors: John Clayton, Larry Blank

Supervising Music Director: Robert Cookman

Producers: David Garfinkle, Rob Quadrino, Ron Simons

Venue: The Benedum Center, PA; New York City Center, NY; Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, IL

Casting: Mungioli Theatricals, Inc.

Contract: AGMA

Salary: $1339/week, plus housing and per diem outside of NYC

Auditions: August 28-29 in NY

Rehearsal Begins: Tues 9/12/23 thru Tues 10/24/23: Rehearsal Period (New York and Environs).

Live Performance Dates: 

Tues 10/24/23 - Sun 10/29/23: One Week of Performances in Pittsburgh at the Benedum Center.

Tues 11/14/23 - Sun 11/26/23: Two Weeks of Performances in NYC at New York City Center. 

Tues 12/19/23 - Sun 12/30/23: Performances in Chicago at the Auditorium Theatre. ( n.b.: Christmas Day Off)

Studio Filming anticipated to take place following these live performance runs.

Possibility of tour extension ff.

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A completely new story, told primarily through Dance, based on Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn’s NUTCRACKER SUITE. 

We are seeking DANCERS OF COLOR WITH STRONG BALLET TECHNIQUE. (Experience in the following styles is also a plus: En Pointe, Acrobatic, Jazz Ballet, Swing/Lindy-Hop, Jazz, and/or Tap)

We are committed to progressive, equitable casting. For every role, please submit all qualified performers.

 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR IN-PERSON DANCE CALL:

This is an IN-PERSON Dance Call Invitation as follows:

Date: Monday, August 28

Time: 10:00am OR 2:00pm

Location: Pearl Studios, 500 Eighth Avenue, Room 309

To select a Time, you MUST fill out the Google Form below:

https://forms.gle/onUdrMxcnQ5RTPWW8

No one will be allowed to enter the audition room until the form is on file.

By confirming your appointment, you confirm that you are available for the dates of this project, as listed on the Breakdown and the Google Form.

Please arrive warmed up and ready to dance at your appointment time. Initial In-Person Dance Call will include a Ballet combination and a poss Jazz Ballet, Jazz Dance, or Lindy Hop combination. (SHOES: Ballet Shoes; Jazz Shoes)

If Called Back later that day, Female Ballet Dancers may be asked to go en pointe, though it is not required.

(SHOES: Ballet Shoes; Flats, Jazz Shoes or Sneakers, or other appropriate footwear for Swing Dancing and Jazz Combinations; If you go en pointe, please also bring pointe shoes.)

(Pre-recorded music will be provided as accompaniment at all calls.)

 

SEEKING:

MALE DANCERS OF COLOR WITH STRONG BALLET TECHNIQUE, MALE or MALE IDENTIFYING:

(Characters May be Black, Asian, Latin, Middle-Eastern, or other Persons of Color) These Dancers play some of the Four Winds, Hooligans, Magical Animals, and other Fantastical Creatures… Ballet and Jazz Ballet; Swing/Lindy-Hop Dance a plus. Anywhere in the Dance one can infuse humor, that is always a good thing!

FEMALE DANCERS OF COLOR WITH STRONG BALLET TECHNIQUE, FEMALE or FEMALE IDENTIFYING:

(Characters May be Black, Asian, Latin, Middle-Eastern, or other Persons of Color) These Dancers play some of the Four Winds, Snowflakes, Magical Animals, and other Fantastical Creatures… Ballet and Jazz Ballet; Swing/Lindy-Hop Dance a plus. Anywhere in the Dance one can infuse humor, that is always a good thing! (Ability to go en pointe is a plus.)