A Chance to Dance
Ballet performance experiences for individuals with extra-sensory and other special needs.
Performance Opportunities
North Pointe Ballet offers performance opportunities for students from local dance studios to audition for youth cast roles. NPB believes that the experience of performing alongside professional dancers develops confidence needed in young performers and inspires youth to become life-long arts advocates.
Bringing together young dancers of differing backgrounds, varied levels of training, and different dance schools creates diversity in the cast, encourages teamwork, and develops unique friendships and shared experiences building bonds that extend beyond the studio and stage.
What You Need to Know BEFORE You Register:
Please read through the following thoroughly. If you have further questions regarding auditions, please email samantha@northpointeballet.org.
Eligibility
- Auditions are for dancers ages 7-18 currently enrolled in a local dance studio.
- Dancers with diversabilities should look into our A Chance to Dance program.
Performance Expectations
- Performances will be held at the Lorain Palace Theatre December 5-7 and the Berea-Midpark High School Performing Arts Center December 19-21.
- We anticipate that dancers will be divided into 2 casts, with one cast performing in 4 mainstage performances during the Lorain weekend and one cast performing in 4 mainstage performances for the Berea weekend. Most roles will only perform in one cast. Some roles will be invited to perform in both.
- We expect all dancers to be available for both weekends and will cast as such. We will do our best to keep siblings in the same cast. If there is a situation where it is absolutely necessary for a dancer to perform in one weekend, please indicate that on the audition form (an example would be that a mandatory school choir concert is being held during a tech week)
- All roles will perform in the Sensory-Friendly matinee
- Only select roles will perform in the Field Trip performance
Rehearsal Expectations
- Rehearsals will be held on Sundays between 12pm and 5pm at Baldwin Wallace Community Arts School. Specific rehearsal times will be assigned based on role/scene.
- Dancers are expected to attend all rehearsals for which they are scheduled. If you anticipate more than 2 absences, please respect your fellow cast members and staff members by waiting to audition for the a production for which you can fully commit
- Dancers must also be available for all tech rehearsals at the theater December 1-4 or December 15-18. These rehearsal times are estimated from 5-9:30pm Mon-Thurs with the understanding that every effort will be made to get younger dances out early. Tech rehearsals are mandatory. Please do not audition if you cannot commit to being present for all scheduled tech reheasals.
Family Expectations
- Families are expected to pay production fees on time. If financial assistance is needed, families must reach out to Samantha to make arrangements.
- Families are expected to volunteer to help during the performance weekend in jobs such as ushering, handing out programs, and helping students backstage. These jobs will not take away from the ability to watch your dancer perform. Some volunteer positions, like serving on tech crew, will receive complimentary tickets for their extra time commitment. If you are not able to serve in a volunteer position during performance weekend, you will be asked to fulfill other volunteer positions, such as desk duty.
- Families are expected to support NPB during strike after the last show. Dancers will be assigned tasks so that the process goes smoothly. Caregivers and other adults can assist with set strike and load out to allow the process to go quickly.
**If you can meet the expectations outlined above, please review audition information and procedures below. If you CANNOT meet the expectations outlined above, please do not audition and allow opportunities for other dancers and dance families who are able to fully commit to the production and mission of our organization.**
Audition Information:
- NEW FOR Nutcracker 2025: Each auditioner must bring a physical, printed copy of a recent headshot photo labeled with their name, age, and home studio with them to the audition. Any size and quality is acceptable. Photos will not be returned.
- Audition registration is required! Audition fee is $15.
- Please fill out one form per dancer auditioning for a youth cast role and read each question carefully before submitting an application. This form MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE TIME OF YOUR DANCER’S AUDITION.
- Dancers registered by August 8 will receive access to audition prep videos sent to the email address provided on August 11.
- Unable to attend the audition in-person? Once you have received the audition prep videos, record your dancer executing the combinations for their age group and email them to janet@northpointeballet.org PRIOR to audition day to be considered for a role. (Note- video auditions will not be accepted for lead roles.)
- Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start of your age group’s audition slot. These slots reflect the age of the dancer at the time of the audition.
- All dancers should pack water and a snack in case they are asked to stay for a call back.
- Parents are not allowed in the studio lobby during the audition but are encouraged to stay in the conference room down the hall and ask NPB staff members questions and meet parents of other auditioners.
