THE NUTCRACKER

🌟 Audition for The Nutcracker 2025

Everyone Who Auditions Gets a Part!

New Haven Ballet is thrilled to announce auditions for our annual holiday production of The Nutcracker, performed at the beautiful Shubert Theatre New Haven.

Whether your child is just starting their ballet journey or advancing through upper levels, this is a cherished opportunity to perform in a professional-quality production—and every student who auditions will be cast.

🎭 Performance Schedule

Shubert Theatre New Haven

• Friday, December 12, 2025 – 10:00–11:15 a.m. (Children’s Matinee)

• Friday, December 12, 2025 – 7:00 p.m.

• Saturday, December 13, 2025 – 1:00 & 5:00 p.m.

• Sunday, December 14, 2025 – 1:00 p.m.

📌 Nutcracker Info Meeting (for New Families)

Saturday, September 13, 2025
🕤 Stop in anytime between 9:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
📍 Whitney Avenue Studio (591 Whitney Avenue, New Haven)
Our Volunteer Coordinator and NHB Administrator will be available to answer questions, walk you through the audition and rehearsal process, and help with registration.

📝 How to Register

Deadline: Friday, September 12, 2025
Register online or submit your form and participation fee to:

📍 New Haven Ballet, 70 Audubon Street, New Haven
🔗 Click here to register online

Participation Fees:

• Levels 6–8: $410

• Pre-Ballet through Level 5: $252

• Creative Ballet 1 & 2: $147
  🚨 Late fee of $20 applies after Sept. 12. No refunds.

✔️ Eligibility & Requirements

• Must be enrolled in Creative Ballet 1 or higher

• Accounts must be current to audition and perform

• Students must attend weekly ballet classes and all assigned rehearsals

• Tech & Dress Rehearsals (December 9–12) are mandatory

• Two (2) excused absences allowed; tardiness over 10 minutes counts as an absence

🩰 Rehearsals Begin: Tuesday, September 30

• Creative Ballet 1 & 2: Rehearse the week before and the week of the performance

• Pre-Ballet–Level 5: Rehearsals generally on Saturdays & Sundays

• Levels 6–8: Rehearsals on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays & Sundays

• Clara & Nutcracker Prince: Rehearse both Saturday and Sunday, and occasionally on Tuesdays and Thursdays

📣 Casting Notes

• Casting will be emailed and posted at the New Haven studio

• We do our best to accommodate siblings in the same cast (Creative Ballet 1–Level 5)

• Casting is final and subject to change. No requests for role changes will be accepted.

✨ Why Perform in The Nutcracker?

Performing in The Nutcracker is a joyful and rewarding tradition that brings the entire New Haven Ballet community together. While it requires commitment from both students and families, the experience of dancing onstage, learning choreography, and being part of this magical production is something your child will never forget.

We can’t wait to see you on stage!

For more information about The Nutcracker contact Ruth Barker at Tel. 203-782-9038 or email: administrator@newhavenballet.org.

Kick off the holiday season with New Haven Ballet when they return to the Shubert Theatre to perform Lisa Kim Sanborn’s full-length production of The Nutcracker, a favorite holiday tradition.

A treat for the whole family starring New York City Ballet’s Sara Adams and Harrison Coll as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier, who are joined by many bright young dancers from New Haven Ballet’s School and special guest artists to round out the talented cast.

The production features larger-than-life sets with a Christmas Tree that grows to colossal heights, a snowstorm, exquisite costumes, a new pas de deux, and the timeless score by Tchaikovsky that will fill the rafters when local singers lend their voices to the Waltz of the Snowflakes. New Haven Ballet’s Nutcracker allows audiences to enjoy New York City Ballet stars at modest ticket prices, the convenience of the Shubert’s location, roomier seats, an upgraded sound system, and a phenomenal show!

The Shubert Theatre is located at 247 College Street in the heart of New Haven’s popular downtown restaurant and shopping district. Tickets go on sale in the fall and may be purchased at Shubert.com or the Shubert Box Office at (203) 562-5666. The Shubert Theatre is ADA-accessible. For accommodation requests, please call Tel. 203-562-5666.

Children’s Matinee:

Friday, December 12 at 10:00 a.m.

Public Performances are offered:

Friday, December 12 at 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 13 at 1:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 13 at 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 14 at 1:00 p.m.

The Story

The Stahlbaum family is celebrating the holidays with friends. Herr Drosselmeyer, Clara’s uncle, arrives late with his nephew. He entertains the guests with magic and makes life-sized toy dolls dance. Uncle Drosselmeyer also gifts Clara a Nutcracker, which delights everyone, including her jealous brother Fritz. As the party ends, Clara is saddened to see her Uncle and his nephew leave. She has made good friends with her uncle’s nephew at the party.

After everyone falls asleep, Clara awakens to noises and sneaks into the parlor to investigate. She is surprised that the mice have grown enormously, and Uncle Drosselmeyer is orchestrating them. The mice steal away the family’s gifts. Uncle Drosselmeyer uses his magic to make the house disappear, and then he makes the Nutcracker grow to life-size – and come alive. A battle ensues between the mice, their Mouse King, and the toy soldiers, who have also magically grown and come to life. Thankfully, with help from Clara and the soldiers, the Nutcracker wins the battle. Uncle Drosselmeyer turns the Nutcracker into a handsome Prince who resembles the nephew Clara met at the party. Clara and the handsome Nutcracker Prince journey through the Land of Snow, where snowflakes and the Snow King and Queen are dancing.

Tiny reindeer lead Clara and the Nutcracker Prince into the Land of Sweets with ethereal angels and beautiful fairies. The Sugar Plum Fairy greets them. Clara and the Nutcracker Prince tell the story of their fierce battle and are invited to a celebration where all of the Sweets perform. The Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier also dance. Finally, it is time to leave. The Sweets present gifts to Clara and the Nutcracker Prince as they wish them well on their way.