Casting

The committee does not assign or guarantee roles based on:
– whether a dancer is a high school senior
– prior roles or understudy roles
– family donations of money and/or volunteer service
– other scheduled activities or commitments that a dancer may have (i.e. my dancer can’t rehearse Saturday 12-2 because of soccer (or) my dancer can only be cast in roles that rehearse on Sunday, etc.)

Unfortunately, there will always be casting disappointment.

Parents — your response to your dancer’s disappointment will have tremendous impact. We recommend that you, and all dancers, listen to this short podcast episode — A Dancer’s Guide to Dealing with Casting Disappointment

• Every reasonable effort will be made to cast all dancers who audition.
• Every reasonable effort will be made to include all abilities.
• There is no guarantee that all dancers who audition will be cast — audition numbers may exceed our costume inventory and available roles.
• The Artistic Director is not required to cast everyone in an equal number of roles.
• The Artistic Director is not required to cast based on age, grade level, length of time in the production, or studio affiliation (i.e. the role of Clara does not formally rotate from one studio to another).

Notify the Artistic Director (director@gardencityballet.org) and Executive Director (caroline@gardencityballet.org) by email stating “Thank you for casting me (or my dancer) in the role of _______________. Unfortunately, I am (or my dancer is) not able to accept this part due to a scheduling conflict.”

Important:  Parents — your response to your dancer’s disappointment will have tremendous impact. We recommend that you, and all dancers, listen to this short podcast episode — A Dancer’s Guide to Dealing with Casting Disappointment

If a dancer wishes to drop out of Nutcracker altogether due to casting disappointment, please weigh the few minutes of performing on stage against the months of being in rehearsals with fellow dancers, the excitement of tech week, and the camaraderie of being part of the production as a whole. The process of casting is complex and challenging. When roles are declined, it takes significant work to fill vacant spots — this can be a time consuming process to complete before rehearsals begin. If you are disappointed in your originally assigned role(s), it is possible that additional opportunities will come up as a result of other dancers declining a role — if you stick with the season, you may end up with an unexpected part… you never know!

If you have slept on it and are absolutely sure about your decision, please follow these instructions:

Notify the Artistic Director (director@gardencityballet.org) by email stating “I am disappointed in the outcome of casting, and have made the difficult decision to withdraw from the cast. I understand that I will not be considered for other roles that might become available.”

If a dancer and/or parent would like to meet in person with the Artistic Director to discuss any casting concerns, please add:

“I (or we) would like to discuss our concerns, and will contact you to schedule a meeting at your convenience.”

Even though feelings can be hurt by casting, please keep in mind that if a dancer or parent sends a distressing or disrespectful email that criticizes casting decisions, it can be very damaging to our Artistic Director, Assistant Artistic Director, and choreographers — it also demonstrates unprofessional behavior. Dancers and parents are always welcome to have a conversation about casting at an appropriate time. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.

Important Notes:  Parents — your response to your dancer’s disappointment will have tremendous impact. We recommend that you, and all dancers, listen to this short podcast episode — A Dancer’s Guide to Dealing with Casting Disappointment

When reading the cast list, carefully check the entire list so you don’t miss the first rehearsal for an assigned role — some dancers have multiple roles.

All (7-8) and (9-10) have one role, except one dancer (7-8) has two roles (Mouse and Gingersnap).
Ages (11-12), (13-14) and (15+) have either one, two, or three roles.

Opportunities for an additional role may come up as a result of other dancers declining a role — you may end up with an unexpected part… you never know.

(updated as of September 16)

Act One:  Opening Scene

Mistletoe Vendors (pointe):  Carmen Cavanaugh, Betty Wicks

Delivery Boy:  Robbie Gibbons

Carolers (pointe):  Emerson Dady, Wynn Hoffman, Maya Leischner

Ice Skaters:  Natalie Brandt, Keely Larson, Cora Miller, Anastasia Potchak

Drosselmeyer:  Christopher Kehoe

Drosselmeyer’s Assistant / Nutcracker Prince:  Benjamin Henning

Act One:  Party Scene

Butler:  Michael LaPointe

Maid:  Lexie Nichols

Clara (pointe):  Skye Kozlowitz

Fritz:  Isla Parker

Governess:  Carolyn Lewis

Mother:  Jennifer Barnett

Father:  Greg Dillon

Grandmother:  Carol Evans

Clara’s Friends (pointe):  Daphne Adams, Olivia Stout

Party Girls:  Sloane Fetz Winger, Natalia Fidelis, Ellie Fontaine, Leah Johnstone, Meru Lafata, Rowen Moore, Addy Oliver, Emma Svetkovich

Party Boys:  Berkeley Eull, Juliet Mikael, Opal Orchard, Lola Pestel, Sophie Stern, Nellie Sutherland, Samara Van Zant

Party Guests:  Bryan Dady, Mike Dembek, Michael Fontaine, Katie LaPointe, Keely Larson, Michelle Scruggs

Toy Soldier Doll (pointe):  Ellette Whitcomb

Ballerina Doll (pointe):  Ashley Follett

Harlequin Doll (pointe):  Genevieve Hedström

Act One:  The Magical Battle (Fight Scene)

Rat King:  Mark Nelson

Hench Mice:  Olive Boettcher, Isla Brake

Lead Mice:  Liliana Eirkson, Hildi Halland

Little Mice:  Annebelle Byrd, Kinsley Cable, Hazel Eirkson, Eleonora Fidelis, Kaia Gill, Sebastián Hedström, Aoife James, Lilian King, Penelope LaPointe, Edie Lostetter, Emmy Oliver, Juliette Scruggs

Ornaments (pointe):  Nora Boyle, Mara Reynoso, Eva Thurman

Soldier General:  Keely Larson

Soldier Captains:  Charlotte Angle, Zoey Auch, Aubrie Phillips, Zoe Thomasson

Soldier Corps:  Katelynn Armerding, Sophie Boyle, June Cashman, Isis Franczyk, Fia Hammond, Charlotte Mayer, Zeyda McAfee, Juliet Mikael, Rowen Moore, Opal Orchard, Ellinor Schultz, Azalea Sparks

Act One:  Snow Scene

Snow King:  Robbie Gibbons

Snow Queen (pointe):  Kate Reed

Demi-Soloists (pointe):  Wynn Hoffman, Ava Tooke

Snowflakes (pointe):  Carmen Cavanaugh, Lindley Erickson, Ashley Follett, Thea Goodwin, Moe Kawasaki, Rhea Smith, Ellette Whitcomb, Betty Wicks

Act Two:  Kingdom of Sweets

Moonflower Fairy (pointe):  Ellette Whitcomb

Angels:  Iris Boettcher, June Cashman, Teryn Christofferson, Magnolia Engel, Imogen Foley, Addy Oliver, Iris Reynoso, Sophie Stern, Claire Swartz, Georgie Taylor

Welcome Garden ~

Butterflies (pointe):  Natalie Brandt, Layla Sevilla

Royal Attendants:  Maya Anderson, Asher Eve Brake, Saoirse Ferriter, Sloane Fetz Winger

Bluebells (pointe):  Daphne Adams, Isla Brake, Florence Byrne, Alicia Clement, Emerson Dady, Cora Miller, Aubrie Phillips, Olivia Stout

Violets:  Sophie Boyle, Liliana Eirkson, Hildi Halland, Teressa Hedström, Zeyda McAfee, Rowen Moore, Lola Pestel, Azalea Sparks

Chocolate from Spain ~

Soloist (pointe):  Wynn Hoffman

Corps:  Nora Boyle, Plum Heuwinkel, Anastasia Potchak, Mara Reynoso

Marzipan from Denmark ~

Shepherdesses (pointe):  Carmen Cavanaugh, Josie O’Meara, Layla Sevilla

Sheep:  Airi Erickson, Izabel Meyers, Marion Moody

Wolf:  Genevieve Hedström

Tea from China ~

Soloist (pointe):  Betty Wicks

Corps:  Maya Anderson, Charlotte Angle, Zoey Auch, Olive Boettcher, Alicia Clement, Isis Franczyk, Leah Johnstone, Meru Lafata, Dana Matteau, Zoe Thomasson

Coffee from Arabia ~

Soloists:  Lindley Erickson (pointe), Robbie Gibbons

Corps:  Jordan Braun, Moe Kawasaki (pointe), Rhea Smith (pointe), Kaleb Tooke

Mother Ginger:  Travis Munden

Gingersnaps:  Sabel Brake, Cara Davidson, Adelyn Dente, Melanie Elkins, Evelyn Mill, Svea Nelson, Emmy Oliver, Isla Schroeder

Trepak from Russia ~

Ashley Follett, Thea Goodwin, Eva Thurman

Act Two:  Waltz of the Flowers

Rose Queen (pointe):  Ava Tooke

Demi-Soloists (pointe):  Kiley Medlinger, Kate Reed

Corps (pointe):  Natalie Brandt, Florence Byrne, Emerson Dady, Genevieve Hedström, Plum Heuwinkel, Maya Leischner, Josie O’Meara, Layla Sevilla

Rosebuds:  Asher Eve Brake, Saoirse Ferriter, Ellie Fontaine, Ellinor Schultz

With Professional Guests 

Sugar Plum Fairy:  Nicole Assaad

Cavalier:  Brian Gonzalez Trull