Photo: Vacanva Photography. (Ballet Brazos Nutcracker 2025 Arabian Coffee, French Marzipan, Battle Scene)
Auditions are in the form of a master class, led by Diane Bedford, Clinical Associate Professor and Section Chair of Dance Science and Performing Arts in the new School of Performance, Visualization, and Fine Art at Texas A&M University, and Erin Duncan, former dancer with Atlanta Ballet and instructor at Fort Bend Academy of Dance. Auditions are adjudicated by two or more outside judges with professional ballet experience. Casting decisions are final, based on adjudication and Artistic Director decisions. An independent board member and observer will certify that casting is consistent with the outside judge scoring.
Ballet Brazos is offering a video audition for those dancers who are attending college in the fall and are unable to attend our in-person auditions.
Audition Requirements
Please watch the two short videos and read all the audition requirements sections below, making note of the fees and scholarships, mandatory events and rehearsal schedule, and attendance policy prior to auditioning. Dancers will be responsible for fulfilling all the requirements of auditioning and of being a Ballet Brazos dancer.
Once you have verified that you are eligible to audition and can fulfill the requirements of a Ballet Brazos dancer, please complete the online registration process by Wednesday, August 12, at 11:59pm.
If you are a dancer attending college in the fall and have a scheduling conflict, please also read the additional information regarding video auditions and complete the video submission by Saturday, August 8, at 11:59pm as an additional part of your registration process.
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Audition Information
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Casting Information
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Ballet Requirements
All auditioning dancers must be enrolled and maintaining attendance in a ballet class during the entire Nutcracker season.
Dancers attending a pointe audition and cast in a pointe role must also be enrolled and maintaining attendance in a pointe class.
If a dancer is cast, Ballet Brazos will confirm enrollment and attendance with the dancer’s studio upon acceptance of roles and during the season.
Although it is not required, in order to increase your chances of earning a place in our production we strongly recommend the following:
Years of Ballet Training: 6+
Hours of Ballet Training per Week: 5
Participation in Summer Ballet Intensives, either locally or outside the Brazos Valley
Pointe
Hours of Ballet Training per Week: 5
Participation in Summer Ballet Intensives, either locally or outside the Brazos Valley
Pointe classes at least 2-3 hours per week throughout the previous year and current summer
REQUIRED: En pointe for at least one full calendar year by auditions
Party Parents will be cast by invitation only.
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Please read the Ballet Brazos Policies for all performers thoroughly. Ballet Brazos Dancers must follow the policies outlined in the Ballet Brazos Dancer Handbook and in the Ballet Brazos Understudy Guide.
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Please review the Rehearsal Schedule for performers. Performers must adhere to the attendance requirement outlined in the Dancer Handbook and verify that they do not have conflicts with the attendance policy.
To host a production of this kind, dancers must be willing to commit to the entire schedule. Please do not audition if you anticipate conflicts with school, activities, or family engagements will result in not adhering to our attendance requirements.
Please take special note that dancers cast have MANDATORY rehearsals or events on the dates below. You must take these mandatory dates into consideration when signing up for auditions. If unable to commit, you may not sign up for auditions.
Sat, Aug 22
Sat, Aug 29
Sat, Sep 12
Sat, Sep 19
Sat, Sep 26
Sat, Oct 24
Sat, Nov 14
Wed, Dec 2 - Sat, Dec 5
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Dancers must wear the required rehearsal attire for auditions.
Female
Leotard - ALL BLACK (no other color leotards or accent colors on black leotards)
Ballet tights - pink or skin-toned
Ballet shoes - pink or skin-toned. Shoes should match the tights.
No skirts, tutus, or shorts
Hair must be neatly secured away from face in a classical ballet bun, French twist, or similar style
Male
PLAIN white t-shirt/ballet t-shirt
Men’s/boy’s black ballet tights or shorts
Ballet shoes - black, white, or skin-toned (white socks optional)
Hair must be neatly combed and away from face
Ballet suspenders may be worn with ballet tights
Dancers who are cast must have their own required ballet garments for their role(s), which will be detailed in the costume guide they will receive upon being cast. As an example, a female role may require: a leotard, two pairs of tights, shoes for their role, and rhinestone stud earrings. As an example, a male role may require: men’s ballet tights, dance belt, ballet t-shirt, and shoes for their role.
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Dancers must upload two photos with their registration: a picture in first arabesque and a headshot. Photos do not need to be professional photos.
FIRST ARABESQUE PHOTO
Dancers should be in audition attire in the photo. Ladies should wear their hair in a neat bun and natural makeup, if any is worn. Men should have hair neatly styled - secured from their face if the hair is long. First arabesque is recommended to be photographed at a dance studio in center with a plain wall behind.
Ladies: First Arabesque (on relevé; en pointe, if pointe audition)
Men: First Arabesque (on flat)
HEADSHOT
Dancers should be in audition attire in the photo. Ladies should wear their hair in a neat bun and natural makeup, if any is worn. Men should have hair neatly styled - secured from their face if the hair is long.
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Number of Roles Per Dancer
Dancers will have the opportunity to indicate the number of roles they are willing to accept during registration.
Some dancers may be cast in more than one role if they have indicated interest on their registration form.
Ballet Brazos' policy is to cast no more than 4 roles per dancer, including understudy roles. Lead/corps combination roles count as one role. (Any more than 4 roles requires Board of Directors approval.)
Dancers must accept all roles offered, or decline being part of the performance. If offered multiple roles based on the number indicated during registration, dancers may not choose to accept some and decline others.
Mandatory Dates
Please take special note that dancers cast have MANDATORY rehearsals or events on the dates below. You must take these mandatory dates into consideration when signing up for auditions. If unable to commit, you may not sign up for auditions.
Sat, Aug 22
Sat, Aug 29
Sat, Sep 12
Sat, Sep 19
Sat, Sep 26
Sat, Oct 24
Sat, Nov 14
Wed, Dec 2 - Sat, Dec 5
Cast Announcement
The cast will be announced August 19, at 4:00pm.
Dancers declining all offered roles must do so by August 20, at 7:00am, or they will be ineligible to audition the following year.
Casting decisions are final, based on adjudication and Artistic Director decisions.
Audition Dates and Times
August 15
Location
Bryan ISD Performing Arts Center
Stephen F Austin Middle School
800 S Coulter Dr
Bryan, TX 77803
Audition Fee
Technique Only: $30/dancer
Technique & Pointe: $45/dancer
Registration
Registration must be completed online by Wednesday, August 12.
No registration at the door.
Audition Groups
Dancers will be notified of their audition group by email on August 14 at 6:00pm.
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Ages: 13+, Technique 1
(For dancers with less than 2 full calendar years of pointe)
• 2:15pm-3:30pm
**Dancers must be in years 1 or 2 of pointe experience or have no pointe experience
Arrive at 1:15pm to check in and warm up -
Pointe 1*
(For dancers with at least 1 full calendar year of pointe and less than 2 full calendar years of pointe)
• 3:30pm-4:15pm
*Optional audition
*Dancers must be in year 2 of pointe experience with at least a full calendar year of pointe experience
*Must attend both a Technique and the Pointe audition -
Ages: 13+, Technique 2
(For dancers with more than 2 full calendar years of pointe)
• 4:15pm-5:30pm
**Dancers must be in at least year 3 of pointe experience with at least 2 full calendar years of pointe experience
Arrive at 3:15pm to check in and warm up -
Pointe 2*
(For dancers with more than 2 full calendar years of pointe)
• 5:30pm-6:30pm
• 6:30pm-7:00pm *call back invitation only
*Optional audition
**Dancers must be in at least year 3 of pointe experience with at least 2 full calendar years of pointe experience
*Must attend both a Technique and the Pointe audition
What to expect when auditioning
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Dancers will receive their official audition group and times Friday, August 14, at 6:00pm, via email. If you have not received your audition group by 6:30pm, please contact info@balletbrazos.org
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Please arrive at your scheduled arrival time. Your completed online Registration Form will be printed by us and provided for review at the audition.
Auditions are closed and may not be observed by guests. Guests may wait in the lobby where videos about the auditions and casting process will play and the opportunity to ask questions will be available. Guests may also leave and return at the end of auditions.
Dancers will receive numbers to safety pin to their leotards/t-shirts.
Height and measurements will be taken at check in to allow our costume staff to prepare for fittings.
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Caregivers/guardians may stay to watch audition and casting videos. Ballet Brazos representatives will be available to answer all questions during their dancer’s audition. This will be an opportunity for the adults to ask questions regarding the audition process, accepting/declining roles, etc.
Auditions are closed auditions. Caregivers may not remain with their dancers after they are checked in.
Caregivers may stay inside the facility in the designated waiting area or may leave the facility and return at the end of their dancer’s audition.
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Once dancers are checked in, they will be allowed to warm up for auditions on their own.
We ask that our dancers please only bring their dance shoes to change into, a small dance bag with water, and any items they need for dancing. Electronic devices are permitted, but must be put away in dance bags with the ringer set to silent. No photography or use of phones is permitted without staff permission once dancers are checked in. These items may not be brought into the audition room and will be left in a designated area outside the audition room.
Ballet Brazos is not responsible for any items lost or left behind.
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Technique auditions will begin with a short barre. Judges will be watching dancers’ technique, knowledge of ballet skills, ability to pick up combinations, and general presence in class.
All auditions will have some combinations in center, away from the barre. In addition to the same categories as at barre, the judges will be able to observe stage presence, which styles of the various Nutcracker roles suit the dancers, how well they dance in groups, etc.
Dancers may also be given combinations across the floor and portions of variations to further assess their ballet skills.
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A few dancers may be asked for callbacks. The judges will request they stay for the next level audition.
Please be prepared for callbacks with water and nutritious, non-messy snacks for refueling between audition sessions. Snacks are to remain in dance bags except in designated areas and only for those who are waiting for their callback session. Other dancers may have snacks in the main lobby only.
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Ballet Brazos has very high expectations for ability and stamina in pointe work due to the intensity and length of weekly rehearsals. Dancers auditioning en pointe should continue to take pointe classes at least 2-3 hours per week throughout the summer in order to be prepared for this audition. Also, please note that for the safety of dancers, pointe auditions may only be scheduled for dancers en pointe for at least one full calendar year.
Pointe auditions will be similar to a master class. It will begin with barre work. As before, judges will be watching their technique, knowledge of ballet skills, strength of pointe work, ability to pick up combinations, and general presence in class.
The audition will include combinations across the floor, center work, and portions of variations. In addition to the same categories as at barre, the judges will be able to observe stage presence, which styles of the various Nutcracker roles suit the dancers, how well they dance in groups, stamina en pointe, etc.
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During the pointe auditions, dancers are released at different times. This may be for the dancer’s safety, the skills required for the rest of the audition are above their level at that point, or the judges have decided what roles they would recommend for the dancer.
We request the dancer’s transportation stay close so that the dancer may be picked up within 5 minutes of being released.
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The cast will be announced August 19, at 4:00pm. All dancers auditioning will receive an email with the Cast List.
If you have not received an email by 4:30pm, please contact info@balletbrazos.org.
Dancers accepting or declining all offered roles must do so by August 20, at 7:00am, or they will be ineligible to audition the following year.
Casting decisions are final, based on adjudication and Artistic Director decisions.
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The cast will be announced August 19, at 4:00pm.
Dancers declining all offered roles must do so by August 20, at 7:00am, or they will be ineligible to audition the following year.
Casting decisions are final, based on adjudication and Artistic Director decisions.
Video Auditions
While in-person auditions are strongly encouraged and preferred, Ballet Brazos acknowledges that on occasion dancers attending college in the fall are unable to attend in person due to conflicts or logistics. Dancers who would like to submit a video audition should email info@balletbrazos.org prior to submission to verify eligibility.
For those college dancers who will be auditioning via video auditions, please read all the video audition requirements. Please submit your audition video along with your registration by August 8, at 11:59pm.
Please read the video audition guidelines below carefully. Videos missing any of these elements will not be considered.
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Dancers must wear appropriate rehearsal attire for video auditions.
Female
Leotard - BLACK (no colored leotards or accents on black leotards)
Ballet tights - pink or skin-toned
Ballet shoes - pink or skin-toned. Shoes should match the tights.
NO skirts, tutus, or shorts
Hair must be neatly secured away from face in a classical ballet bun, French twist, or similar style
Male
PLAIN white fitted t-shirt
Men’s black ballet tights
Ballet shoes - black, white, or skin-toned (white socks optional)
Hair must be neatly combed and away from face
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All videos should include the following:
Barre work: Plié, Tendu, Dégagé, Ronde de Jambe, Fondu, Grand Battement
Dancers may perform these exercises en pointe or demi-pointe.
Pointe exercises (if applicable): Relevé, Échappé, Passé, Pirouette
Dancers auditioning for pointe roles should perform these exercises in center.
Center work: Adagio, Grand and Petit Allegro, and Pirouettes
Dancers must use the combinations provided via video by Ballet Brazos.
Dancers auditioning for pointe roles should perform these exercises en pointe.
Additional Exercises for Men: Tour en L’air, Tours a la Seconde, Entrechat
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Videos should be no longer than 15 minutes.
Video access for choreography for the adagio, grand and petit allegro, and pirouettes sections will be given for one week. Video submissions will be due within a week of receiving access.
Videos must be recorded all in one session. Please no stops or starts, or editing your video.
Videos must be shared via a working link and all permissions to view all materials must be granted.
DVD submissions are not accepted.
Register for Auditions
Register.
Registration must be completed online by Wednesday, August 12, at 11:59pm. No registration at the door.
Please watch the two short videos and read all the audition requirements carefully, making note of the fees, mandatory events and rehearsal schedule, and attendance policy prior to auditioning. All dancers will be responsible for fulfilling all the requirements of auditioning and of being a Ballet Brazos dancer.
Once you have verified that you are eligible to audition and can fulfill the requirements of a Ballet Brazos dancer, please complete the online registration process by Wednesday, August 12, at 11:59pm. In addition, if you are auditioning via video, your videos must be submitted by Saturday, August 8, at 11:59pm.
Please take special note that dancers cast in Nutcracker have MANDATORY rehearsals or events on the dates below. You must take these mandatory dates into consideration when signing up for auditions. If unable to commit, you may not sign up for auditions.
Sat, Aug 22
Sat, Aug 29
Sat, Sep 12
Sat, Sep 19
Sat, Sep 26
Sat, Oct 24
Sat, Nov 14
Wed, Dec 2 - Sat, Dec 5
You may upload digital copies (under 1M each) of your headshot and first arabesque through the online form and may update your form until August 12 at 11:59pm.
Pay fee.
$30/dancer, Technique only
$45/dancer, Technique & Pointe
See you at auditions.
Please arrive at your scheduled arrival time to check in and complete the registration process. Auditions are closed and may not be observed by guests.
Cast Announcement
The cast will be announced August 19, at 4:00pm. All dancers auditioning will receive an email with the Cast List. If you have not received an email by 4:30pm, please contact info@balletbrazos.org.
Dancers accepting or declining offered roles must do so by August 20, at 7:00am, or they will be ineligible to audition the following year.
FAQs
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Dancers attending college in the fall
While in-person auditions are strongly encouraged and preferred, Ballet Brazos acknowledges that on occasion college dancers are unable to attend in person due to conflicts or logistics. College dancers who would like to submit a video audition should read the information all the information, register and pay for auditions, and submit their video by Wednesday, August 12, at 11:59PM
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The photos do NOT need to be professional photos. The photos will be used for auditions and the website (until our professional headshot day). It is best if they are done with a solid background.
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Participation in Summer Ballet Intensives, either locally or outside the Brazos Valley, is not required for auditioning. However, it does help dancers strengthen their technique and stamina, which are important for advanced and lead roles. Thus they are strongly recommended for our dancers seeking advanced or lead roles.
Audition Information Mailing List
You may sign up for our auditions 2026 mailing list if you would like to receive emails, tips, and reminders regarding auditions. Signing up for the mailing list is not a commitment to audition, nor is it registering you to audition.