Local youth are invited to audition and perform in children’s roles in Nutcracker! Magic of Christmas Ballet alongside an international cast of world class artists from Ukraine, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan and more.
Nutcracker! Magic of Christmas Ballet is performing in Chattanooga, Nov. 21, at Memorial Hall at 7 p.m. with auditions hosted by local ballet school Ballet Espirit, at 4000 Tennessee Ave. in Chattanooga on Aug. 16 at 5 p.m.. The company invites local ballet students to fill children’s roles. In this opportunity of a lifetime, the students are coached by the classically trained Ukrainian soloists who teach them not only the choreography but the beautiful artistry of ballet in a bold and unique rendition of Tchaikovksy’s timeless holiday masterpiece, said officials.
Local youth ages six to 17 can audition for the roles of party children, mice, snowflakes, snow maidens, and variations through the “Dance-with-Us ” community engagement program. Auditions will be held in each performance city this fall. The “Dance-with-Us” program has brought more than 100,000 aspiring ballet dancers on stage with the professionals over the past 30 years.
Ukrainian audition director Bogdana Kopiy will lead the selection process. In this moment of international conflict, these soloists from leading opera houses in Ukraine bring a timely message of peace and harmony to American students.
Children in the cast rehearse for weeks at the local studio, preparing for the performance(s) that will take place under the bright lights of Memorial Hall. On the performance day, the youth cast starts early with costume fittings having been assigned classical hand-sewn costumes designed by the highly acclaimed Arthur Oliver. A dress rehearsal will be held on stage with the professional company led by Ukrainian Artistic Director, Nobuhiro Terada, (artistic director of the National School in Kyiv.)
Tickets are available at www.nutcracker.com. Auditions www.nutcracker.com/dance.
Ballet Esprit Modern Ballet Theatre was founded in 2017 by professional dance artists, longing to create their own manifesto of dance synergy and collaborations. The collective’s mission is to unveil the voice of movement with honesty of spirit through classical and contemporary dance foundations. The vision is to foster a universally minded community of artists who dance with unique authenticity, from the inside out.
Dance-with-Us program is unique to the Nutcracker! Magic of Christmas Ballet tour. Local ballet students are invited to audition for, rehearse, and perform with the company in ancillary roles.
2022 marks the 30th year that Talmi Entertainment has been impressing audiences with an originally staged, highly professional production featuring some of the ballet world’s brightest luminaries. Formerly known as Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker that toured in 150 cities across North America and Canada, Nutcracker! Magic of Christmas Ballet is back after a two-year hiatus as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In many tour cities Talmi Entertainment implements its signature Community Engagement programs, “Dance with Us” and Musical Wunderkind, engaging American children of all ages and abilities in interactive art experiences.
Now called Nutcracker! Magic of Christmas Ballet, Talmi Entertainment has rebranded the Christmas performance in solidarity with Ukraine to reflect current world events.