Nutcracker Participation

Colorado Conservatory of Dance presents The Nutcracker 2023

The Performing Arts Complex at PCS December 9, 10, 15 (Sensory-Friendly), 16 & 17, 2023.

2023 Nutcracker Auditions:

Auditions will be held on Saturday, August 19, 2023. Pre-registration is required. Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your audition class time. Parents are asked to come in to the building with their dancers to check them in and out. Photos will follow each audition class.

Primary/Intermediate Divisions

• Arrival time: 12:15-12:30pm
• Audition: 1:00-2:15pm

Advanced 1/2/3 Divisions

• Arrival time: 3:00-3:15pm
• Audition:  3:45-5:00pm

Advanced 4/5 Divisions

• Arrival time: 1:45-2:00pm
• Audition: 2:30-3:30pm

Note: This audition assumes that dancers have taken a full class just prior. Advanced 3/4/5 dancers should take technique class from 11:15-1:30pm.

Parents, please make sure you come into the facility to check-in your dancer.

Our Mandatory Nutcracker Kick Off Meeting will be on Tuesday, August 29 at approx 7:30pm.

2023 Participation Requirements:

In order to participate in CCD’s annual The Nutcracker performance, students must meet the following general requirements:

• All dancers interested in participating in The Nutcracker must complete all summer and fall course requirements listed below.
• Those unable to complete course requirements may opt to audition for the production with no guarantee of being cast.
• Dancers auditioning without having met summer course requirements must still complete all fall course requirements.
• Dancer is 7 years old or older by August 19, 2023 (no exceptions)
• Dancer has performed in at least one CCD Gala production or possesses equivalent performance experience (as approved by the Artistic Director)
• Mandatory performance photo/video/and t-shirt fee: $100.00 per family (siblings pay $30 for t-shirts)
• Additional t-shirts are $30.00 each and must be purchased by the August 29, 2023 during the Mandatory Kick Off Meeting
• Participation fee for those who have not completed summer requirements: $350.00. This fee helps CCD offset lost tuition revenue for summer and goes directly to production costs.
• Dancers who are able to fulfill CCD’s summer training requirements are automatically accepted into the production (an audition is still required for casting purposes), and their participation fee will be waived.

Summer 2023 training and other requirements: 

• Summer training and other requirements:
  • Dancer took at least 4 full weeks of summer dance camp or intensive (all missed ballet technique classes must be made up)
  • Within dancer’s 4 weeks of camp/intensive, dancer attended a minimum of the following ballet technique classes in dancer level during the summer.*
    • Primary Division              8 ballet technique classes (minimum of 6 at CCD)
    • Intermediate Division      12 ballet technique classes (minimum of 8 at CCD)
    • Advanced 1/2 20 ballet technique classes (minimum of 8 at CCD)
    • Advanced 3/4/PPP 30 ballet technique classes (minimum of 10 at CCD)
  • Requirements are number of Ballet Technique classes attended, not hours. Pointe, Technique Intensive, and other specialty dance classes and private lessons do not count towards these requirements. Non-CCD intensives must be approved by the Artistic Director.

2023-2024 Season (Aug-June):

• Dancer must be currently enrolled at CCD, taking the following classes:
  • Primary 1 & 2:
    • Minimum of one ballet class
  • Primary Ballet 3:
    • Minimum of one ballet class and one additional ballet or jazz class
  • Intermediate 1 & 2:
    • Minimum of two ballet classes
    • AND one additional ballet or jazz class
  • Intermediate 3:
    • Minimum of three ballet classes
    • AND two of the following: additional ballet, jazz or modern
  • Advanced 1:
    • Minimum of three ballet classes
    • Two pre-pointe classes (ladies)/one Men’s class (men)
    • AND three of the following: additional ballet, contemporary, jazz, or modern
  • Advanced 2:
    • Minimum of three ballet classes
    • Three beginning pointe (ladies)/one Men’s class (men)
    • AND three of the following: additional ballet, contemporary, jazz or modern.
  • Advanced 3:
    • Minimum of four ballet classes
    • Three pointe (ladies)/one Men’s class (men)
    • AND three of the following: additional ballet, contemporary, jazz or modern (2 available)
  • Advanced 4:
    • Minimum of five ballet classes
    • Three pointe (ladies)/one Men’s class (men)
    • AND three of the following: additional ballet, contemporary, jazz or modern (2 available)
  • Advanced 5:
    • Minimum of five ballet classes
    • Three pointe (ladies)/one Men’s class (men)
    • AND four of the following: additional ballet, contemporary, jazz or modern (2 available)

Studio Company Participation:

Studio Company is a year long commitment that is separate from participation in The Nutcracker. Please visit the Studio Company page for more information, including audition date and time, for all information relating to Studio Company.