Ah, casting… every year there will be tears of joy and tears of sorrow. This is inevitable, and GCB encourages good sportsmanship from dancers and parents alike.
Please understand that casting decisions will be made in order to produce the best show possible. Casting depends on many factors, including the number and skill level of all dancers who audition, our costume inventory, and the types of roles offered by any given Artistic Director.
There is no guarantee that everyone who auditions will receive a part — at the same time, some dancers may be cast in more than one role. There is no automatic progression from one role to another (i.e. a Gingersnap does not always become a Mouse the following year). Seniors are not guaranteed a solo or a spot in the Snow Corps. And, performers may be cast in the same role year after year — because they are needed (i.e. Snow Corps, Flower Corps, Soldiers). The Artistic Director will consider prior roles of each dancer, but it is not always possible to give every dancer a “new” role.
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.
“Helping Dancers Deal with Disappointment” by Nichelle Suzanne (Founder/Editor at Dance Advantage)
If a dancer needs to decline a role (including an understudy role) due to a scheduling conflict, please follow these instructions:
Notify the Artistic Director (director@gardencityballet.org) and Administrative 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.”
If a dancer is not interested in dancing a certain role, please decline the role as follows:
Notify the Artistic Director (director@gardencityballet.org) and Administrative Director (caroline@gardencityballet.org) by email stating “Thank you for casting me (or my dancer) in the role of _______________. I apologize for the inconvenience this may cause, but I am (or my dancer is) not interested in this part and prefer that it be offered to another dancer.”
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. If you 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 in January, after the production is over.”
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.
Also, keep in mind that if you (or your dancer) is disappointed in their originally assigned roles, 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!
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 damaging to the Artistic Team — it also demonstrates unprofessional behavior. Dancers and parents are always welcome to have a conversation about casting, but the appropriate time is after the production is over. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.
2022 Nutcracker Cast — Congratulations!
Please review the entire cast list carefully as some (but not all) dancers ages 11 and older may have more than one role.
Act One: Opening Scene
Mistletoe Vendors: Audrey Elliott Muchow, Libby Soll
Carolers: Stella Albritton, Linnea Farr, Ellette Whitcomb
Ice Skaters: Lindley Erickson, Kinley Munden, Margot Pence, Layla Sevilla
Drosselmeyer: Jeff Medley
Drosselmeyer’s Assistant / Nutcracker Prince: Quinn Wyland
Act One: Party Scene
Butler: Dan Haney
Maids: Marlena Serviss, Anya Smith
Clara: Olivia Farnes
Fritz: Robbie Gibbons
Governess: Carolyn Lewis
Mother: Emily Weiler
Father: Travis Munden
Grandmother: Lori Stevens
Clara’s Friends: Kiley Medlinger, Ashlyn Phillips
Party Girls: Nora Boyle, Norah Blakely, Isla Brake, Maia Haney, Meru Lafata, Rhea Smith, Maya Strawbridge, Ruby Wicks
Party Boys: Charlotte Angle, Edda Corn, Ella Domitrovich, Erik Domitrovich, Maya Leischner, Mara Reynoso, Olivia Stout
Party Guests: Natalie Boose, Greg Dillon, Ryan Medlinger, Burgundie Miceli, Kim Strawbridge, Clint Summers, Russ Thomas, Jenna Wicks
Toy Soldier Doll: Thalia Lambros
Ballerina Doll: Phoebe Dillon
Harlequin Doll: Opal Murray
Act One: The Magical Battle (Fight Scene)
Rat King: Keiana Griggs
Hench Mice: Evie Belsom, Carmen Cavanaugh
Lead Mice: Julia Hahn, Anastasia Potchak
Little Mice: Zoey Auch, Sophie Boyle, Asher Eve Brake, June Cashman, Alicia Clement, Avery Dente, Elliana Hatten, Kendal Kolendich, Lula Larson, Zeyda McAfee, Isla Parker, Scarlett Sebastian
Soldier General: Maggie Watts
Soldier Captains: Piper Bratton, Ashley Follett, Charlotte Gimpelson, Genevieve Hedström
Soldier Corps: Daphne Adams, Emerson Dady, Aspen Headley, Wynn Hoffman, Pia Koelle, Dana Matteau, Cora Miller, Rowen Moore, Iris Pence, Olivia Stout
Ornaments: Lillian Adair, Hazel Black, Kaitlyn Reinhardt
Act One: Snow Scene
Snow Princess: Ava Tooke
Demi-Soloists: Thalia Lambros, Sawyer Reed
Snowflakes: Elizabeth Arrigali, Charlie Bratton, Phoebe Dillon, Cate Gibbons, Reagan Hudiburgh, Audrey Kurz, Audrey Elliott Muchow, Maggie Watts
Act Two: Kingdom of Sweets
Moonflower Fairy: Cate Gibbons
Angels: Maya Anderson, Olive Boettcher, Nora Boyle, Ella Domitrovich, Celeste Farago, Lake Sings in the Timber
Welcome Garden ~
Butterflies: Talla Gass, Ashlyn Phillips
Royal Attendants: Robbie Gibbons, Kate Reed
Bluebells: Stella Albritton, Hazel Black, Charlie Bratton, Carmen Cavanaugh, Linnea Farr, Libby Soll
Violets: Thea Goodwin, Julia Hahn, Aspen Headley, Wynn Hoffman, Cora Miller, Anastasia Potchak, Sylvie Semanoff, Ruby Wicks
Chocolate from Spain ~
Soloist: Reagan Hudiburgh
Corps: Charlotte Gimpelson, Genevieve Hedström, Kiley Medlinger, Layla Sevilla
Tea from China ~
Soloist: Thalia Lambros
Corps: Daphne Adams, Piper Bratton, Emerson Dady, Maia Haney, Maya Leischner, Margot Pence, Sylvie Semanoff, Rhea Smith, Maya Strawbridge, Emma Williams
Nightingale: Ava Tooke
Corps: Evie Belsom, Carmen Cavanaugh, Thea Goodwin, Wynn Hoffman, Ellette Whitcomb, Betty Wicks
Marzipan from Denmark ~
Shepherdesses: Talla Gass, Ashlyn Phillips, Libby Soll
Sheep: Isis Franczyk, Saoirse Ferriter, Mari Naughton
Mother Ginger: Travis Munden
Gingersnaps: Asher Eve Brake, Fiona Carr, Liliana Eirkson, Ellie Fontaine, Hildi Halland, Fia Hammond, Teressa Hedström, Claire Zehnpfennig
Trepak from Russia: Charlie Bratton, Audrey Elliott Muchow, Maggie Watts
Act Two: Waltz of the Flowers
Rose Queen: Sawyer Reed
Demi-Soloists: Elizabeth Arrigali, Audrey Kurz
Corps: Lillian Adair, Hazel Black, Lindley Erickson, Ashley Follett, Kinley Munden, Kaitlyn Reinhardt, Layla Sevilla, Betty Wicks
Rosebuds: Iris Pence, Aubrie Phillips, Kate Reed, Rhea Smith
With Special Guest Artists
Sugar Plum Fairy: Ashley Hagler DeGroot
Cavalier: Blake Lanesskog