Washington Ballet Nutcracker

[Anonymous]

Most boys are in the party scene, and are often triple cast because there is usually a shortage of boys. In prior years there have occasionally been very little boys who were made bees. There are also always a few small boys who are cast in the fisherman scene in the second act, which is a featured role, but those boys are usually also in the party scene. For boys the audition process is much less fraught than for girls, but Nutcracker season can be very long for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most boys are in the party scene, and are often triple cast because there is usually a shortage of boys. In prior years there have occasionally been very little boys who were made bees. There are also always a few small boys who are cast in the fisherman scene in the second act, which is a featured role, but those boys are usually also in the party scene. For boys the audition process is much less fraught than for girls, but Nutcracker season can be very long for them.

I agree with this - a boy will almost certainly be in the party scene, and might be double cast within an individual show. It is a seller's market for boy dancers! If your goal is stage time/experience, I think it's amazing, but to the PP's point, extremely exhausting.

Also - I am not sure that Friday is for sure the day. WE were told at auditions mid-week and another friend was told Wednesday.

Every other year that we've participated, it's been Wednesday after the rehearsal. However, most other years, rehearsals started in this coming weekend, as opposed to having a weekend off.

[Anonymous]

Interesting, my DD was told Friday! What level is your DC? It doesnt make sense that the announcement would be staggered, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interesting, my DD was told Friday! What level is your DC? It doesnt make sense that the announcement would be staggered, right?

We were told Friday, Level 3

[Anonymous]

My daughter was told “mid-week”, level 5.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter was told “mid-week”, level 5.

same

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter was told “mid-week”, level 5.

Level 2, we were told Friday. Looks like Saturday auditioners were told mid week and Sunday was told Friday.

My DD also said she auditioned for Chinese dancer, which I didn't think was open for her level, I wonder if things are a little different this year due to covid and the number of dancers auditioning.

[Anonymous]

Yes I was wondering if there are fewer dancers auditioning this year and will likely be more double-/triple-casting.

[Anonymous]

Does everyone typically get a role?

[Anonymous]

Thank you PPs for the input on boy dancers' roles! It does seem like they have fewer options so probably have to do the same roles year after year, yet they also get the bonus stage time so it just depends on what the kid is up for.

Best of luck to everyone today / Friday!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does everyone typically get a role?

I'd say 95% do.

My DS didn't get a role a few years back, but he was barely hanging on by a thread and I was hoping getting to be in a show could have him stick it out through the end of the year at least since he's such a ham. I'm not sure what happened in the audition, but I'm sure he didn't want to be there and showed it.

He loved ballet the year before, but young kids change fast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter was told “mid-week”, level 5.

Level 2, we were told Friday. Looks like Saturday auditioners were told mid week and Sunday was told Friday.

My DD also said she auditioned for Chinese dancer, which I didn't think was open for her level, I wonder if things are a little different this year due to covid and the number of dancers auditioning.

Do you mean what they often call “little Chinese?” I think that often goes to a Level 2 dancer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does everyone typically get a role?

I'd say 95% do.

My DS didn't get a role a few years back, but he was barely hanging on by a thread and I was hoping getting to be in a show could have him stick it out through the end of the year at least since he's such a ham. I'm not sure what happened in the audition, but I'm sure he didn't want to be there and showed it.

He loved ballet the year before, but young kids change fast.

I'm interested to see if it changes this year, but most kids get a role. Rumors were abounding that there would be fewer dancers on the stage at a time, and there are certainly fewer performances this year - "only" thirty shows, I believe.

I think it's harder for the very young (PB3) because there are only so many spots and then the older girls when the roles dwindle again. But if you're in 1A, 1B, 2 or 3, the odds are really good. So many snow angels and soldiers!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does everyone typically get a role?

I'd say 95% do.

My DS didn't get a role a few years back, but he was barely hanging on by a thread and I was hoping getting to be in a show could have him stick it out through the end of the year at least since he's such a ham. I'm not sure what happened in the audition, but I'm sure he didn't want to be there and showed it.

He loved ballet the year before, but young kids change fast.

I'm interested to see if it changes this year, but most kids get a role. Rumors were abounding that there would be fewer dancers on the stage at a time, and there are certainly fewer performances this year - "only" thirty shows, I believe.

I think it's harder for the very young (PB3) because there are only so many spots and then the older girls when the roles dwindle again. But if you're in 1A, 1B, 2 or 3, the odds are really good. So many snow angels and soldiers!

Wishful thinking, but maybe that means no triple casting this year?

[Anonymous]

How many shows are there normally? I thought in past years a single cast had about 6 shows?