Nutcracker Youth Program

Our Nutcracker is a Canadian tradition, a national treasure that will warm the hearts of young and old alike. Born from a collaboration with Kleinburg’s world-renowned McMichael Canadian Art Collection, and with well over 100 costumes in richly coloured fabrics, the Group of Seven Nutcracker features backdrops from Canada’s 20th Century landscape artists: Franklin Carmichael’s Church and Houses at Bisset (1931), Tom Thomson’s Snow in the Woods (1916) and L.L. FitzGerald’s Trees and Wildflowers (1922).

The first act of this quintessential Canadian work is set in the rural town of Bisset, Ontario in the early 20th Century. Audiences are then taken on a familiar dream-journey with Klara from her first arrival in Canada, as she experiences magnificent winter landscapes filled with snowflakes, lumberjacks, Mounties and creatures of the woods.

The Youth Outreach Experience

The aspiring dancer will be given the opportunity to:

• experience a structured audition process
• receive one-on-one direction from professional dancers and artistic staff
• perform onstage in a professional ballet
• witness and participate in all that happens backstage before, during and after the performance
• develop a greater understanding of the role of the individual dancer as an integral part of a larger team that includes dancers, directors, technical, wardrobe, and artistic staff
• engage the artistic staff in conversations that may inspire, encourage and support the educational choices in their growth as young dancers (written recommendations supplied upon request)
• achieve all or part of high school volunteer hours required for graduation

Students can be a participant in the program as follows:
• TOURING CAST
• LOCAL CAST
• OUTREACH PARTICIPANT

Touring and Local Cast participants are selected at an audition which takes place in their home community in the early autumn. Outreach participants are nominated by their own dance school.

Testimonials From Program Participants

“My daughter was in the production here in Charlottetown, but even if she was not chosen to be in it, it was still a wonderful show. I must also thank you for including local talent in your show. I can speak for the other parents and their children and say that the experience they had being a part of your show was just amazing. The girls all had a great time rehearsing and a very good experience the day of the show. Thank you very much for giving them the opportunity to be part of something very special. We hope to see you again on our Island.”
- Heather Ross, Charlottetown, PEI

“I just wanted to tell you how much [my daughter] enjoyed being a part of your Nutcracker production and how much we enjoyed watching it. I was really impressed with the beauty of the show; at times my breath was literally taken away. I was proud that my daughter was a part of such a high calibre production. The way you let the local children have a good amount of stage time and their own special bow was very much appreciated.”
- Jane Wheeler, Fredericton, NB

“My daughter was very fortunate to be chosen to play one of the frogs in the ballet. She loved having the opportunity to gain more experience in dance. Thanks once again.”
- The Woollacott Family, Peterborough, ON

"I have been dancing since I was three years old and the opportunity to be a small part of the Nutcracker is the highlight of all my years of taking ballet. It was fantastic watching such great dancers up close and this will be an experience I will never forget”
- Local Cast Member

For program information, please contact Clea Iveson by email or at 416.415.5000 x 4928

Auditioning for the Nutcracker Youth Participants Program is an exciting opportunity! Make sure you know exactly what's involved before you sign up. Here's what you need:

Step 1: Check your audition dates and times here. Every city auditions on a different date, so don't get confused!