The YYC Dance CONNECTed Nutcracker program provides an elite performance opportunity for Calgary & area ballet dancers ages 8-21.

Our mission is to unite like-minded, passionate and technically refined ballet dancers by connecting them to a high quality performance and training opportunity, outside of their regular instruction.

Our Nutcracker corps de ballet & soloist dancers are selected from a variety of studios and communities throughout Southern Alberta, ranging in age from 8-21.  
Dancers must be taking weekly ballet classes at a local dance training studio.

Auditions:
Casting auditions will be held in person on Sunday August 24th, 2025

Ages 8-12 - 9:45-10:45am
Ages 13+ - 11:15am-12:45PM
@ Evolutions School of Dance.

Evolutions School of Dance:
YYC Dance CONNECTed presents

THE NUTCRACKER

Register

Registration for the audition must be done ahead of time by clicking the appropriate link above. Dancers will participate in an audition class where a selection of choreography will be taught and then presented to the audition panel. Please wear ballet attire.

There is a $10 Audition fee.

*Please bring pointe shoes if you receive regular pointe training

Dancer's will be made aware of their role 48-72 hours after auditions. Dancer's and their parents must accept the role and associated fees in the follow up email.  Rehearsals: are held primarily on Sunday mornings beginning in September to the show weekend in mid December from 9:00am-12:30pm.  Some soloist roles will require additional rehearsals on select Friday/Saturday evenings depending on dancer and choreographer availability.  Dancers and parents are expected to make rehearsals a top priority.  

*Thanksgiving weekend is the exception as rehearsals will not be running that weekend.

Video Auditions:
Video audition submissions will be accepted for those who live outside of the Calgary area or cannot make the in-person audition date.

Please email [email protected] for our video submission criteria.  All video auditions must be submitted by 11:00pm on August 23rd 2025.

Program Costs:
Fees for this program ranges between $200-$300, depending on the dancer's role and rehearsal hours required.  

Costumes will be a mix of student owned and supplied by YYC CONNECTed.  There is a costume rental/cleaning fee of $20 per dancer.

Performance Weekend:
Our Nutcracker performance weekend will be December 12-14, 2025.

For more information, please email:

[email protected]

THE NUTCRACKER PERFORMANCE CLASS

For dancers age 5 - 8 years who take at least one full year dance class at a dance training studio. This option is for dancers who wish to be involved with our NUTCRACKER performance at an introductory commitment level.  

Nutcracker Performance classes run Sunday mornings from 9:00-9:45am, beginning in early October, and running until the performance dates (December 12-14, 2024). Dancers will also be required to attend one in studio dress rehearsal in early December (will stay until 10:30/11:00 on this day) and a technical rehearsal on the performance weekend.

$135+gst

The costume will be "fancy party" attire supplied by each family and approved by faculty.

Nutcracker Performance Class
Sunday 9:00-9:45am
October 5-December 14, 2025