Audition Notice for Nutcracker 2026
Dancers will be ask to perform exercises based on their age group. Videos of exercises for each age group can be found here: Nutcracker Videos 2026
Date: August 28 and 29, 2026
Audition Location: Pioneer Columbus Community Center West Gym (enter from the north) 2100 SE 5 th Street, Des Moines, IA 50315
Pre-Registration through ENGAGE is required. To Preregister follow this link: Nutcracker Audition Registration
Seeking Male and Female Dancers ages 8 – Adult. All second graders may audition even if they will not be 8 by the time of the show.
pre-register for a group by grade in 15 min increments (additional time slots may be opened as time slots fill)
Friday August 28, 2026
Grade 2: 5:30pm
Grade 3: 5:45pm
Grade 4: 6:00-6:30pm
Grade 5: 6:45-7:15pm
Grade 6+: 7:30-8:00pm (If you are auditioning for a non-pointe role, you may choose this option OR attend any time slot for your grade the next day where others in your group may be on pointe…we only need to see you once, so do not sign up for both days)
Adults for “non-dancing” roles: 7:45pm (prepare by learning the Grade 2 combo 2 )
Saturday August 29, 2026
Grade 6: 1:00-1:30pm
Grade 7: 1:45-2:45pm
Grade 8: 2:45-3:30pm
Grade 9: 3:30-4:00pm
Grade 10: 4:15-4:45pm
Grade 11: 4:45-5:00pm
Grade 12: 5:30-5:45pm
Adults for dancing roles: 5:15-5:30 (prepare by learning the three Grade 9+ combinations)
CALLBACKS BY INVITATION ONLY (usually only pointe dancers for partnering skills) 5:45pm
Sunday September 13, 2026
2nd audition at Iowa Ballet Academy Studio for anyone that is not available for their time slot during the main audition. Not all roles will be available to be cast at this audition as it is used to fill any roles that were declined or not filled from the main audition. Pre-register for the second audition using the same link as for the main audition and leave a note to let us know why you could not attend the main audition.