
Dance Alive National Ballet (DANB) is inviting dancers from surrounding counties, studios and gyms to audition for its Nutcracker production and Next Generation youth company on Saturday.
The auditions are from 12:30 to 6 p.m. at Pofahl Studios (1325 NW 2 St.) in Gainesville.
Entering its 59th season, DANB features an award-winning, international roster performing a range of classical and contemporary ballet productions.
Next Generation is a group of dancers from Pofahl Studios who perform over 20 DANB choreographed classical, neoclassical, contemporary, hip-hop, jazz and theatre pieces annually at festivals, senior facilities, social service agencies and events.
At this month’s auditions, DANB Artistic Director Kim Tuttle will cast the Nutcracker and other roles for the DANB 2024-2025 season. Next Generation directors will select members for the 2024-2025 Next Generation company.
Some dancers will be selected for the Nutcracker tour, which begins on Nov. 23rd in Alachua before heading to South Carolina, Villages (FL), Belle Glade and Ocala before returning to Alachua County for performances beginning December 18th.
A $25 fee is required to audition, and dancers should arrive 30 minutes early to complete paperwork and receive their number.
Girls auditioning should wear a black leotard, pink tights, and appropriate shoes with their hair up. Boys must wear a white t-shirt, black tights, shorts or bicycle pants and appropriate shoes. Acrobats must also wear appropriate clothing.
Audition times and experience requirements for each role are as follows on Saturday, Aug. 24:
Audition for Soldiers, Party Children, Franz’s friends, Mice, Next Generation (ballet experience required).
- Ages 7 to 8: 12:30 p.m.-1:15 p.m.
- Ages 9 to 10: 1:30 p.m.-2:15 p.m.
- Ages 11 to 13: 2:15 p.m.-3:15 p.m.
Audition for Party Children, Franz’s friends, Clara’s friends, Young Adults, Mice, Angels, Snowflakes, Act II corps, DANB & Next Generation (ballet experience required, pointe work for those roles on pointe).
- Same-age jazz dancers, second-year pointe (as of August 2024)
- Ages 11 to 14: 3:30 p.m.-4:15 p.m.
- Same-age jazz dancers, 3rd year pointe (as of August 2024)
- Ages 12 to 17: 4:30 p.m.-5:15 p.m.
Audition for Tumblers (must be able to do back handsprings, splits, headstands, front and back walkovers and aerial tricks).
- Ages 7 to 18: 5:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
More information on auditions can be found at www.dancealive.org, by calling 352-371-2986, and by emailing Kim@dancealive.org or info@dancealive.org.