BERKSHIRES, MA — Local youth are invited to audition and perform in children’s roles in NUTCRACKER! Magic of Christmas Ballet alongside an international cast of world class artists from Ukraine, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan and more.
NUTCRACKER! Magic of Christmas Ballet is performing in Nashville Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, at the Ryman Auditorium at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. with auditions hosted by local ballet school Premier Dance Performing Arts Center, located at 135 Edenway Drive in White House on Nov. 1. The company invites local ballet students to fill children’s roles. In this opportunity of a lifetime, the students are coached by the classically trained Ukrainian soloists who teach them not only the choreography but the beautiful artistry of ballet in a bold and unique rendition of Tchaikovksy’s timeless holiday masterpiece.
Local youth ages six to 17 can audition for the roles of party children, mice, snowflakes, snow maidens, and variations through the “Dance-with-Us ” community engagement program. Auditions will be held in each performance city this fall. The “Dance-with-Us” program has brought more than 100,000 aspiring ballet dancers on stage with the professionals over the past 30 years.
Ukrainian audition director Anna Trafimova will lead the selection process. In this moment of international conflict, these soloists from leading opera houses in Ukraine bring a timely message of peace and harmony to American students.
Children in the cast rehearse for weeks at the local studio, preparing for the performance(s) that will take place under the bright lights at the Ryman Auditorium. On the performance day, the youth cast starts early with costume fittings having been assigned classical hand-sewn costumes designed by the highly acclaimed Arthur Oliver. A dress rehearsal will be held on stage with the professional company led by Ukrainian Artistic Director, Nobuhiro Terada, (artistic director of the National School in Kyiv.)
Dance South Performing Arts is committed to the development of each student’s fullest potential by offering a positive, non-competitive, and value-centered atmosphere where every student will learn proper dance technique from caring, professional instructors. The goal of the school is to teach students of all levels and ages dance for enjoyment, while instilling in them a love and appreciation of the art of dance.
Dance-with-Us program is unique to the NUTCRACKER! Magic of Christmas Ballet tour. Local ballet students are invited to audition for, rehearse, and perform with the company in ancillary roles. The roles include Party Children, Little Mice, Snowflakes, and Snow Maidens.
2022 marks the 30th year that Talmi Entertainment has been impressing audiences with an originally staged, highly professional production featuring some of the ballet world’s brightest luminaries. Formerly known as Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker that toured in 150 cities across North America and Canada, NUTCRACKER! Magic of Christmas Ballet is back after a two-year hiatus as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. In many tour cities Talmi Entertainment implements its signature Community Engagement programs, “Dance with Us” and Musical Wunderkind, engaging American children of all ages and abilities in interactive art experiences. www.nutcracker.com.
Now called NUTCRACKER! Magic of Christmas Ballet, Talmi Entertainment has rebranded the Christmas performance as NUTCRACKER! Magic of Christmas Ballet in solidarity with Ukraine to reflect current world events.
In many tour cities Talmi Entertainment implements its signature Community Engagement programs, Dance with Us and Musical Wunderkind, engaging American children of all ages and abilities in interactive art experiences.
Talmi Entertainment is the exclusive representation for the NUTCRACKER! Magic of Christmas Ballet tour that occurs annually. NUTCRACKER! Magic of Christmas Ballet delivers unparalleled artistry performed by an international cast of some of the most accomplished ballet dancers in the world. The company was founded in 1970 by Akiva Talmi, producer, composer, and recipient of the Metropolitan Opera Guild, Richard Rodgers, and Leonard Bernstein Awards. www.talmientertainment.com
Talmi Entertainment is now led by Dan Talmi, who was raised in the family business and is continuing its legacy of producing international tours with Akiva Talmi serving as producer emeritus.
