COMMUNITY CAST AUDITIONS OVERVIEW

Ballet Arkansas welcomes dancers from across the state to audition for our 2026-27 Community Cast productions: The Nutcracker Spectacular, Sleeping Beauty and Don Quixote. All dancers must pre-register and attend a separate audition for each production. Review audition requirements, rehearsal schedules, community cast FAQ’s and audition details carefully before registering.

 

Audition registration opens on July 8 and closes August 13.​

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​​​NUTCRACKER SPECTACULAR AUDITIONS

Ballet Arkansas | 520 Main Street, Little Rock, AR 72201

 

Friday, August 14, 2026

Age 15-18: 4:30 - 5:45 pm | Sign In: 4:15 pm

Age 13-14: 6:15 - 7:30 pm | Sign In: 6:00 pm

 

Saturday, August 15, 2026​

Age 11-12: 9:00 - 11:00 am | Sign In: 8:40 am

Age 9-10: 11:30 am - 1:30 pm | Sign In: 10:40 am

Age 8: 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm | Sign In: 1:40 pm

Age 7: 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm | Sign In: 2:40 pm

Age 6: 4:00 - 4:15 pm | Sign In: 3:40 pm

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Rehearsals | September 12 - December 5

Performances | December 10 - 13 @ Robinson Performance Hall​

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SLEEPING BEAUTY AUDITIONS

Ballet Arkansas | 520 Main Street, Little Rock, AR 72201

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Sunday, August 16, 2026

Ages 14-18: 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm | Sign In: 12:45 pm

Ages 12-13: 2:30 pm - 3:45 pm | Sign In: 2:15 pm

Ages 10-11: 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm | Sign In: 3:45 pm

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Rehearsals | January 9 - February 14

Performances | February 19 - 21 @ Robinson Performance Hall

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DON QUIXOTE AUDITIONS

Ballet Arkansas | 520 Main Street, Little Rock, AR 72201

 

Saturday, August 15, 2026

Ages 12-18: 4:45-6:15 pm | Sign in: 4:30 pm

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Rehearsals | March 6 - April 10

Performances | April 17 - 18 @ AMFA​

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AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

 

Register to Audition

• Register for each production by August 13, 2026. We are unable to accommodate combined auditions and late registrations will not be accepted.

  • Submit the $30 fee (per production, excluding processing fees) by creating an account or logging in to the portal HERE and visiting “Register.”

  • Autopay is required to register. 

  • Complete the required Audition Information Google Form linked in your confirmation email, including all known absences and conflicts after reviewing the rehearsal and production schedule for each show.

You must receive confirmation emails for both your payment and Google Form submission. Your registration is incomplete without both. If we do not have your completed registration on file at check-in, you must present both confirmation emails to audition.

 

Minimum Age Requirements by Production

Participants should register for the audition class that corresponds with their age on the date of the audition.

• Nutcracker Spectacular: 6 years old by August 13, 2026

• Sleeping Beauty: 10 years old by January 1, 2027

• Don Quixote: 12 years old by January 1, 2027

 

Training Requirements

To participate in the Ballet Arkansas Community Cast, dancers must be enrolled in dance classes during the 2026–27 school year through a public/private school, outreach program, or private dance studio.

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To support safe practices, technical and artistic growth, and readiness for the rehearsal environment, we recommend the following minimum years of prior dance training:

• Ages 6–7: 1–2 years

• Ages 8–9: 2–3 years

• Ages 10–12: 3–4 years

• Ages 13–18: 4–5 years

 

These guidelines help ensure dancers arrive with a working knowledge of ballet technique, class structure, and rehearsal etiquette—allowing rehearsals to build upon their training and support artistic development.

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Anticipated Conflicts

Applicants may report anticipated schedule conflicts during registration. This information is reviewed during casting decisions in order to try to minimize conflicts where possible. Acceptance into the cast does not guarantee accommodation of reported conflicts. All cast members are expected to meet rehearsal and performance requirements as scheduled.

 

Dress Code ​

Jewelry — stud earrings only. No watches or wristbands.

 

Female Participants

• Black leotard

• Full-length pink tights with pink ballet shoes. Dancers of Color may wear full-length flesh-tone tights with flesh-tone ballet shoes.

• Tights must be worn inside ballet shoes; drawstrings tucked

• Hair secured neatly in a bun

• Dancers en pointe for 1+ years should bring pointe shoes

  • Dancers who audition on pointe are eligible for roles on flat and on pointe.

  • Pointe work is not required and will not be requested for participants ages 6–10.

 

Male Participants

• White or black fitted t-shirt

• White socks and white ballet shoes or black ballet shoes with black tights or dance shorts

• Hair neat and out of the face; long hair secured in a ponytail​

 

 

AUDITION PROCESS

All auditions are conducted by Ballet Arkansas faculty and staff. Casting decisions are based on multiple factors, including:

• Artistic and technical performance in the audition class

• Costume sizing and availability

• Participant’s age, maturity, and years of training (for safety and casting needs)

• Availability for scheduled rehearsals, fittings, and performances

• Ability to follow instructions and participate in the audition without a parent/guardian, including entering the studio unaccompanied.

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We strive to create a welcoming, low-stress audition environment and encourage all dancers to approach the process with confidence and enthusiasm.​ 

 

Participation in an audition does not guarantee casting in a production.

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On Audition Day

• Arrive 20 minutes prior to your scheduled audition time to check in, or at the posted sign-in time for your audition.

• Students will enter at 6th Street and exit at Main Street.

• The studio lobby is closed to the public. Only registered dancers and staff are permitted on site.

• All audition classes are led by Ballet Arkansas staff. No prepared choreography is required.

• Dancers must be able to participate independently.

 

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

Following auditions, families will receive results by email. Please review next steps listed below and take note of important deadlines. Cast members must fully commit to Ballet Arkansas’s attendance policy, including all mandatory rehearsals, costume fittings and fees. We appreciate your patience as our team reviews all audition participants.

 

Nutcracker Spectacular Audition Results

Families will receive an email with casting results on Thursday, August 27 after 7:00 pm. If you do not receive an email, check your Portal messages.

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Next Steps for Cast Members

• Review the production Cast Packet before accepting a role.

• Accept or decline casting by Thursday, September 3 at 5:00 PM.

• Pay the $200 production and costume fee, upon acceptance.

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First Rehearsals

• September 12—13 (Some roles begin September 19—20)

• Attendance at the first rehearsal is mandatory

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Sleeping Beauty and Don Quixote Audition Results

Families will receive an email with casting results on Wednesday, September 30 after 7:00 pm. If you do not receive an email, check your Parent Portal message history.

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Next Steps for Cast Members

• Review the production Cast Packet before accepting a role.

• Accept or decline casting by Wednesday, October 7 at 5:00 PM.

• Pay the $200 production and costume fee, per production, upon acceptance.

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First Rehearsals

• Cinderella: January 9–February 14

• Giselle: March 6–April 10

• Attendance at the first rehearsal is mandatory.

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FEES

 

Audition Fee

A $30 non-refundable audition fee is required to be considered for casting. This fee covers administrative and staffing costs related to the audition process and is non-refundable under any circumstance, including withdrawal, injury, or casting decisions.

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Costume & Production Fee

 

A $200 production and costume fee is due in full upon acceptance of a role. This fee secures your dancer’s placement in the production and supports the many professional elements that bring our performances to life.

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This fee covers:

• A professionally sourced or custom-built costume, including alterations

• Multiple weeks of rehearsal and performance support

• Contract personnel, venue-related costs, and production staffing

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Ballet Arkansas commits to costume preparations and production planning well in advance of the rehearsal period. As such, the production and costume fee is non-refundable. However, Ballet Arkansas may issue credits under the following limited circumstances:

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• Before rehearsals begin: A $100 credit may be issued in the event of verified injury, illness, or family emergency that prevents participation.

• After rehearsals begin: A prorated credit from the $100 portion may be issued in the event of verified injury, illness, or family emergency that prevents participation, minus costs already incurred.

• One half of the fee ($100) is non-creditable due to upfront costs.

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Withdrawals due to personal or scheduling conflicts are not eligible for credit, except under exceptional circumstances approved by Ballet Arkansas.

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Families may contact Ballet Arkansas prior to the deadline to request a payment plan. Failure to pay or make arrangements by the posted deadline will result in forfeiture of the dancer’s role.​​​