Casting

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.

We recommend this short podcast — A Dancer’s Guide to Dealing with Casting Disappointment

And, these words of wisdom from Colleen Rosbarsky — After the Audition

Casting Committee
The Artistic Director, Assistant Artistic Director, choreographers, and independent adjudicator (whose job is to identify and rank order all soloists including Clara) form the committee. Ultimately, the Artistic Director has final authority. Auditions are closed to parents, board members, and staff.

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 organizational budget, 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. Performers may be needed to dance the same role(s) year after year (i.e. 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 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

Understudies
The role of an understudy is critical to the success of our show. Understudies learn essential parts of the ballet, knowing they may never perform these roles on stage. It is likely that many upper level dancers will be assigned an understudy role and we appreciate those who generously agree to contribute their hard work, time, and talent in this capacity. (We also understand that some dancers may not be able to add more to their schedules!)

  • Understudies should attend all rehearsals, as able, for their designated role(s).
  • If a dancer misses an Understudy rehearsal, it will not count as an absence.
  • Understudies should not expect to be cast in these roles the following year.
  • Understudies do not need to attend scheduled costume fittings (the costume you wear will be altered, as needed, if/when the time comes).

2026 Understudies (pending)

Declining a Role Due to Scheduling Conflict
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 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 the following scheduling conflict: (please describe)

Dropping Out
If a dancer wishes to drop out of the production 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 entire production. The process of casting is complex and challenging. When dancers drop out, it takes significant work to fill vacant spots — this is 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  — 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 sure about your decision, please notify the Artistic Director (director@gardencityballet.org) by email stating: 

“I am (or my dancer is) disappointed in the outcome of casting and I have decided (or my dancer has decided) to withdraw from the cast.”

If a dancer and/or parent would like to share concerns with the Artistic Director, please add:

“I (or we) would like to share 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.

Final Cast

Congratulations!

Act One:  Opening Scene

Courier:  Robbie Gibbons

Mistletoe Vendors (pointe):  Layla Sevilla, Betty Wicks

Carolers (pointe):  Daphne Adams, Anastasia Potchak, Skye Kozlowitz

Ice Skaters:  Grace Jones, Rose Jones, Lydia Slead, Zoe Thomasson

Drosselmeyer:  Christopher Kehoe

Drosselmeyer’s Assistant / Nutcracker Prince:  Benjamin Henning

Act One:  Party Scene

Butler:  Hans Hoffman

Maid:  Heather Adams

Clara (pointe):  Genevieve Hedström

Fritz:  Melanie Elkins

Governess:  Carolyn Lewis

Mother:  Jennifer Barnett

Father:  Travis Munden

Grandmother:  Carol Evans

Grandfather:  Tim Morin

Clara’s Friends (pointe):  Nora Boyle, Mara Reynoso

Party Girls:  Zoey Auch, Iris Boettcher, Asher Eve Brake, Liliana Eirkson, Airi Erickson, Carlie Kearney, Channing McCollum, Sophie Stern

Party Boys:  Sophie Boyle, Hildi Halland, Charlotte Mayer, Iris Reynoso, Vincent Sings In The Timber, Claire Swartz, Georgie Taylor

Party Guests:  Ayden Burnett, Michael Fontaine, Audrey Kurz, Amber Lin, Kinley Munden, Sylvie Nelson, Justin Philalack, Layne Rolston Clemmer

Toy Soldier Doll (pointe):  Emerson Dady

Ballerina Doll (pointe):  Layla Sevilla

Harlequin Doll (pointe):  Eva Thurman

Act One:  The Magical Battle (Fight Scene)

Rat King:  Mark Nelson

Hench Mice:  Maya Anderson, Saoirse Ferriter

Lead Mice:  June Cashman, Charlotte James

Little Mice:  Vivian Blackhurst, Sabel Brake, Ford Burt, Cara Davidson, Adelyn Dente, Hazel Eirkson, Linnea Goe Midtlyng, Sebastián Hedström, Emma Joiner, Svea Nelson, Isla Schroeder, Briar Sisson

Ornaments (pointe):  Alicia Clement, Plum Heuwinkel, Aubrie Phillips

Soldier General:  Daphne Adams

Soldier Captains:  Isla Brake, Sloane Fetz Winger, Ellie Fontaine, Noella Watrous

Soldier Corps:  Olive Boettcher, Berkeley Eull, Natalia Fidelis, Isabella Grant, Teressa Hedström, Marion Moody, Addy Oliver, Isla Parker, Lola Pestel, Vincent Sings In The Timber, Emma Svetkovich, Sabrina Wetzel

Act One:  Snow Scene

Snow King:  Robbie Gibbons

Snow Queen (pointe):  Kate Reed

Demi-Soloists (pointe):  Wynn Hoffman, Rhea Smith

Snowflakes (pointe):  Natalie Brandt, Florence Byrne, Carmen Cavanaugh, Thea Goodwin, Skye Kozlowitz, Maya Leischner, Layla Sevilla, Betty Wicks

Act Two:  Kingdom of Sweets

Moonflower Fairy (pointe):  Carmen Cavanaugh

Angels:  Kinsley Cable, June Cashman, Liliana Eirkson, Kaia Gill, Harper Hedges, Aoife James, Lillian King, Penelope LaPointe, Edie Lostetter, Samara Van Zant

Welcome Garden ~

Butterflies (pointe):  Maya Leischner, Rhea Smith

Royal Attendants:  Sophie Boyle, Hildi Halland, Fia Hammond, Lola Pestel

Bluebells (pointe):  Maya Anderson, Saoirse Ferriter, Sloane Fetz Winger, Meru Lafata, Rowen Moore, Anastasia Potchak, Zoe Thomasson, Noella Watrous

Violets:  Olive Boettcher, Magnolia Engel, Imogen Foley, Zeyda McAfee, Izabel Meyers, Sadie Miller, Nellie Sutherland, Sabrina Wetzel

Chocolate from Spain ~

Soloist (pointe):  Skye Kozlowitz

Corps (pointe TBD):  Rose Jones, Lydia Slead, Norah Stockton, Olivia Stout

Marzipan from Denmark ~

Shepherdesses (pointe):  Emerson Dady, Thea Goodwin, Plum Heuwinkel

Sheep:  Annebelle Byrd, Emmy Oliver, Juliette Scruggs

Tea from China ~

Soloist (pointe):  Natalie Brandt

Corps:  Zoey Auch, Asher Eve Brake, Ellie Fontaine, Isabella Grant, Carlie Kearney, Meru Lafata, Zeyda McAfee, Rowen Moore, Addy Oliver, Finley Sullivan

Coffee from Arabia ~

Soloists:  Mark Nelson, Betty Wicks (pointe)

Corps (pointe TBD):  Daphne Adams, Isla Brake, Florence Byrne, Alicia Clement, Aubrie Phillips, Anastasia Potchak

Mother Ginger:  Travis Munden

Gingersnaps:  Coco Boardman, Sabel Brake, Mabel Cashman, Svea Nelson, Lissianna Stern, Remi Romocki, Poppy Sulzbacher, Charlotte Wyman

Trepak from Russia ~

Soloist:  Robbie Gibbons

Corps:  Natalie Brandt, Kate Reed

Act Two:  Waltz of the Flowers

Rose Queen (pointe):  Wynn Hoffman

Demi-Soloists (pointe):  Carmen Cavanaugh, Thea Goodwin

Corps (pointe):  Nora Boyle, Emerson Dady, Plum Heuwinkel, Grace Jones, Norah Stockton, Olivia Stout, Mara Reynoso, Eva Thurman

Rosebuds:  Lyla Johnson, Isla Parker, Finley Sullivan, Emma Svetkovich

With Professional Guests 

Sugar Plum Fairy:  Nicole Assaad

Cavalier:  Brian González

Note:  Communication all season takes place via email. The full cast should have received emails this morning (Sunday, Sept 6) at 9:23 am and 10:39 am. Let me know if you did not, thanks!