The Nutcracker

Audition Fee: $40

Note: You are only required to attend one audition date per role.

Eligibility: Open to registered New Jersey Ballet School students only.

Sunday, September 20

• 9:30–10:00am – Small Angels (Open Level B1 and above*)

• 10:00–10:30am – Mice (Open Level B1 and above*)

• 10:30–11:15am – Soldiers (Open Level B1 and above*)

• 11:15am–12:00pm – Little Boys & Fritz (Dance training required*)

• 12:00–1:00pm – Clowns (Children’s Division Prep 2 and above*)

Sunday, September 27

• 9:30–10:00am – Small Angels (Open Level B1 and above*)

• 10:00–10:30am – Mice (Open Level B1 and above*)

• 10:30–11:15am – Soldiers (Open Level B1 and above*)

• 11:15am–12:00pm – Little Boys & Fritz (Dance training required*)

• 12:00–1:00pm – Clowns (Children’s Division Prep 2 and above*)

• 1:00–2:00pm – Warm Up Class (Courtiers, Tall Angels, Little Girls)

• 2:00–2:30pm – Courtiers (Student Division Level 5 and above*)

• 2:30–3:15pm – Tall Angels (Student Division Level 4 and above*)

• 3:15–4:00pm – Little Girls (Student Division Level 4 and above*)

*To check role eligibility, please see NJBS Level Structure below

NJBS Level Structure for Nutcracker Auditions

HIGHER —>

Level ADV (Student Division)

Level 6 (Student Division)

Level 5 (Student Division)

Level 4 (Student Division)

Level 3 (Student Division)

Level 2 (Student Division)

Level 1 (Student Division)

Adult/Teen (Open Division)

B2 (Open Division)

B1 (Open Division) and BOYS (Open Division)

Prep 2 (Children’s Division)

LOWER —>

NJB Nutcracker Participation Policies 2026

Students auditioning for New Jersey Ballet Company’s production of The Nutcracker are auditioning for an opportunity to perform in a professional production for the general public. In order to maintain the high standards of the production, the following policies apply:

Audition & Casting

• There is no guarantee a student will be selected for any role.

• By auditioning, students agree to be available for all rehearsal and performance dates listed.

• Conflicts for mandatory school activities or religious reasons must be disclosed at the audition.

• Conflicts may affect casting.

• All casting decisions are final and at the sole discretion of the Artistic Director.

• Height will be considered alongside other artistic and technical qualities.

• Students are welcome to audition for more than one role, provided they are eligible. The audition fee only applies once.

• If selected, dancers must accept the role(s) assigned, including assignment to one or both casts.

Please note that all roles will perform at MPAC, but not all roles will be included in the Union County PAC and Bergen PAC productions. Please keep this in mind when signing up to audition.

Rehearsals & Performances

• Participation in all scheduled studio rehearsals, stage rehearsals, and performances is mandatory.

• Rehearsal dates/times may change, but NJB will provide as much notice as possible.

• Casting notifications will be sent via email within one week following the final audition.

• Studio rehearsals begin Sunday, October 11, 2026, at NJB’s Florham Park facility.

• Performers are expected to be on time and attend every rehearsal.

• A breakdown of rehearsal times will be provided by October 1, 2026.

Audition Fee

• $40

Participation Fees

• Production fee: $50

• Rehearsal fee: $150

• Costume maintenance fee: $50

The audition fee will be due upon registration. If selected, all participation fees will be due by October 8, 2026.

As a not-for-profit performing arts organization, New Jersey Ballet is dedicated to providing young dancers the unique opportunity to perform in a professional production of The Nutcracker. Bringing a full-length ballet of this caliber to the stage requires significant resources. Participation fees help preserve and maintain our cherished sets and costumes, while also ensuring the highest production values for our dancers and audiences alike.

2026 Nutcracker Rehearsal & Performance Schedule

Studio Rehearsals @ Florham Park (Sundays)

• October 11, 18, 25

• November 1, 8, 15, 22

Union County PAC

• Rehearsal: Saturday, November 28 @ Union County PAC

• Performance: Sunday, November 29 @ 2:00pm

BergenPAC

Rehearsals:

• Thursday, December 3 @ Florham Park

• Friday, December 4 @ BergenPAC

Performances:

• Saturday, December 5 @ 1:00pm & 4:30pm

• Sunday, December 6 @ 1:00pm & 4:30pm

MPAC – First Week

Rehearsals:

• Tuesday, December 8 @ Florham Park

• Wednesday, December 9 @ MPAC

• Thursday, December 10 @ MPAC

Performances:

• Friday, December 11 @ 10:30am & 7:30pm

• Saturday, December 12 @ 1:00pm & 6:00pm

• Sunday, December 13 @ 1:00pm & 6:00pm

MPAC – Second Week

Rehearsals:

• Tuesday, December 15 @ Florham Park

• Wednesday, December 16 @ Florham Park

• Thursday, December 17 @ MPAC

Performances:

• Friday, December 18 @ 7:30pm

• Saturday, December 19 @ 1:00pm & 6:00pm

• Sunday, December 20 @ 1:00pm & 6:00pm

• Thursday, December 24 @ 1:00pm

• Saturday, December 26 @ 1:00pm & 6:00pm

• Sunday, December 27 @ 1:00pm & 6:00pm