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.
Auditions for NPB’s The Nutcracker
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.
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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.
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Performance Expectations
- Performances will be held at the Lorain Palace Theatre December 4-6 and at Berea-Midpark High School Performing Arts Center December 18-20.
- Most dancers will only perform in one cast/weekend. Some roles will be invited to perform in both. We will do our best to keep siblings in the same cast.
- All roles will perform in the Sensory-Friendly matinee
- Only select roles will perform in the Field Trip performance at the Lorain Palace Theatre
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Rehersal 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 either November 30-December 3 (Lorain) or December 14-17. These rehearsal times are estimated from 5-9:30pm Mon-Thurs with the understanding that every effort will be made to get younger dancers out early. Tech rehearsals are mandatory. Please do not audition if you cannot commit to being present for all scheduled tech rehearsals.
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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
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Preparation
- Take and print a headshot photo. Please bring a physical, printed headshot labeled with the dancer’s name, age, and home studio with you to the audition. Photos should be 5×7 and be taken with the dancers’ hair up and in dance attire. Photos will not be returned.
- Register to audition. Audition registration is required and must be completed by the time of your dancer’s audition! 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.
- Unable to attend the audition in-person? Once you have registered and 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.)
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Day-Of Best Practices
- 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.
A Chance to Dance
Registration for diversabled dancers ages 7 to 18 with mild to moderate needs wishing to participate in North Pointe Ballet’s December 2026 production of The Nutcracker will open on Wednesday, August 12th at 7:00pm and close on Wednesday, August 26th at 7:00pm OR when the registration list reaches the maximum of 10 participants.
A mandatory pre-production class will take place on Sunday, August 30th.
Rehersals
Rehearsals will take place on Sundays between the hours of 12:00pm and 5:00pm during the months of October and November. Exact dates and times TBD.
Performances
Performances will be on Saturday, December 5th at 2:00pm at The Lorain Palace Theatre in Lorain and on Saturday, December 19th at 2:00pm at the Berea-Midpark High School Performing Arts Center. Participants are expected to perform in both performances.
Registration
Registration can be found here, available on Wednesday, August 26th at 7:00 PM.
Youth Scholarship
Established in 2017 as the BIPOC scholarship, NPB provided dancers of color with training and performance opportunities. The NPB Youth Scholarship has since expanded to provide for any dancer needing financial assistance. Dancers who have met eligibility requirements for Youth Cast Performance Opportunities can apply for financial assistance with costs related to production fees, tights and shoes, and tickets for caregivers and family members through resources provided by the Joan Dollard-Spooner Memorial Youth Fund. Dancers interested in applying should email samantha@northpointeballet.org.
“I am so grateful for North Point Ballet because it has taught me new techniques and inspired my dance confidence. NPB has shown me to be confident and try new things in my dancing. I’ve never had the opportunity to experience ballet until I came to NPB. I am thankful for their scholarship program that allowed my sisters and I to enjoy dancing and performing for a professional dance company! NPB has shown me to push myself to the best that I can be. Dancing for NPB is really amazing!”
Aniyah 2019 Scholarship Recipient
The Joan Dollard-Spooner Memorial Fund
Supporting the training, experience, and needs of aspiring dancers.
Established in 2026 in memory of beloved NPB donor, supporter, and arts advocate, Joan Dollard-Spooner, this fund will provide needed resources for young dancers who participate in various programs throughout North Pointe Ballet, including but not limited to youth cast dancers in our full-length productions, participants in our On-Site Education and A Chance to Dance programs, students who attend our field trip performances and educational outreach workshops, and apprentices and trainees working with the professional company.