Avery Ranch Dance
Avery Nutcracker Open AuditionsYou’re Invited to join The Nutcracker!
We would like to invite your child to join us in celebrating the most loved ballet of all time, The Nutcracker. Dance Discovery’s youth ballet company has performed the Nutcracker at the historic Scottish Rite Theatre in downtown Austin for over 20 years. For the very first time, we are inviting students from the public to join us in our performance.
Students entering 2nd -12th grades are welcome to audition on September 12th.
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Photo courtesy of Violet Crown Photo Works.
2026 Performance Dates
Dress Rehearsals and Performances will take place Dec. 8-13 at The Scottish Rite Theatre in downtown Austin. Specific days and times between Dec. 8-13 will be available for your dancer November 6th.
Registration Deadline Thursday, Sept 10th @ 5pm
To Register please complete the Nutcracker Form at this LINK
Auditions
Saturday, September 12th
Choose your location: 2167 W Anderson Ln & 10526 W Parmer Ln
- 3:30-4:15pm: Dancers not en Pointe, 2nd – 5th grades
- 4:30-5:15: Dancers en Pointe, 6th-12th grades (*Dancers will need to arrive at 4:00 for an independent warm-up. Audition will begin en pointe.)
- 5:15-5:45: Dancers not en Pointe, 6th-12th grades.
(Schedule is subject to change but you will have advance notice if any changes are necessary)
There will be a $25.00 non-refundable audition fee that will be billed upon receipt of Audition form.
Casting assignments for The Nutcracker will be announced September 15th.
Virtual Parent Meeting Thursday Sept 10th at 12pm
Photo courtesy of Violet Crown Photo Works.
Fall Class Requirements
All Dancers in The Nutcracker must be enrolled in and regularly attending classes at Dance Discovery or Avery Ranch Dance & Music
The minimum requirements for the Angel Chorus are:
- 3rd-4th grade – minimum of 1 hour of ballet class/week
- 5th-6th grade – minimum of 2 ballet classes/week
- 7th grade & up – minimum of 2-3 ballet classes/week depending on level placement
Ensemble roles and lead roles will have more requirements.
Roles outside of the Angel Chorus will be required to join the Ballet Company and follow their weekly team schedule.
Weekly Rehearsals
If cast to be in our annual nutcracker, you will choose your location of weekly rehearsals.
Choose your location: Weekly rehearsals will be held at Dance Discovery (2167 W Anderson Ln) from 12:45-2:15 pm or Avery Ranch Dance & Music (10526 W Parmer Ln) from 1:15-2:15 pm every Saturday beginning Sept. 19 through Dec. 5. There will be no rehearsals during Thanksgiving Nov. 28. Lead roles may require additional rehearsals. Specific Tech and Dress rehearsal times and dates, at The Scottish Rite Theatre, are TBD but plan for these the week of our performance. We will post the rehearsal schedule/call times for your dancer after auditions so that you can plan ahead
Absences
Due to the limited number of rehearsal days/times (only 10 weeks!) you must attend all rehearsals. Absences affect the entire cast. Any absence not communicated & approved well in advance may impact your dancer’s performance eligibility. Please communicate to directors regarding any conflicts prior to accepting your roles.
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Tuition $400 – Tuition includes costume rental, rehearsals, and performance fees. Tickets will be available for sale in November. Shows do sell out quickly. The nonrefundable tuition of $400 will be charged if you are cast to be in our Nutcracker. It will be charged on Wednesday, September 16th. Parents are also responsible for providing the following additional items: pink tights, pink ballet shoes and/or pointe shoes in performance condition, and a nude camisole leotard to be worn as an undergarment with all costumes. Additionally, certain roles call for character shoes and/or black slip-on style jazz shoes that will need to be provided (you will be notified if you need those).
A limited number of spots are available for the performance and families will be notified if they will be cast for this year’s Nutcracker.
Audition Process: Directors will have the opportunity to see dancers in an informal class to see which roles each dancer may be best suited for. Dancers new to Dance Discovery will need to be assessed in Ballet/Pointe before the registration deadline Thursday, Sept 10th @ 5pm. Casting assignments for The Nutcracker will be announced September 18th.
Photo courtesy of Violet Crown Photo Works.