2026 Nutcracker Info
Thank you for your interest in Elevation's 2026 production of The Nutcracker! We are so excited to bring this exciting production back to Steamboat this coming holiday season. Please complete this application form to be considered for the upcoming production. Please read the information below carefully and be sure to submit your application AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Accepting applications for dancers ages 4 and up!
EACH AND EVERY DANCER MUST SUBMIT AN APPLICATION, REGARDLESS OF AGE!
APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 15th, 2026
AUDITION INFO:
Auditions at Elevation Dance Studio are on Saturday, May 9th - Schedule TBA
Auditions are required ONLY for Ages 8+ (Children who are 7 years old but will be turning 8 years old by 9/1/2026 will need to audition)
Ages 4-7* WILL NOT need to audition. (Children who are 7 years old but will be turning 8 years old by 9/1/2026 will need to audition). Dancers who are not required to audition are cast in order of receipt of application, so be sure to complete your application ASAP to secure your spot.
The audition fee is $30/dancer (the fee will be posted to your Elevation account 1 week before the audition). If you are also auditioning for Company, you pay this fee only once.
A FEW THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE APPLYING:
We may change the ages and genres of pieces from year to year. Please inform your dancer that each year is different, and that is what makes our Nutcracker production fun, exciting, and unpredictable for our audience!
Emails that come from our software system can be found in the parent portal under messages, in case you think you may have missed an email
Please check your email account often! Additional information will be sent out in the coming weeks.
Role requirements and group tuition pricing are listed - please read them carefully!
NEW THIS YEAR: Anyone cast in a LEAD role must adhere to the summer training requirements listed in the lead role section. Please note that if you do not have a plan for summer training by application submission, your dancer may not be eligible for a lead role. If you plan to enroll in Elevation summer classes, please do so before submitting this form.
There will be 3-4 performances total, and it is expected that YOUR dancer perform in all performances. We are still waiting on the exact show dates and location. We will communicate that information to you as soon as the dates are set. We are at the mercy of the high school calendar, and they prioritize school events before any outside school events are scheduled. Dates could be announced as late as late summer.
Dancers who are ages 5-6 and cast in Gingers will not begin weekly Friday afternoon rehearsals until September and are not required to attend the August choreography camp.
Dancers who are age 4 and cast in Bees will not begin weekly Friday afternoon rehearsals until October and are not required to attend the August choreography camp.
All Nutcracker performers are required to take ADDITIONAL WEEKLY technique based class(es) at Elevation, in the genre they are cast, to support and enhance their on-stage performance. Dancers must meet the corresponding class age and level requirements listed as of September 1st. Attending weekly classes and rehearsals is mandatory to be eligible for Nutcracker participation.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE REHEARSAL SCHEDULE. BY SUBMITTING A NUTCRACKER APPLICATION, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE YOU HAVE VIEWED THE REHEARSAL SCHEDULE, THE COMMITMENT, AND THE EXPECTATIONS FOR PARTICIPATION.
If you have ANY questions before the auditions, please email: renee@elevationdancestudio.com
We look forward to another magical production!
- Renee Fleischer, Nutcracker Producer
- Tiana Buschmann, Nutcracker Director
Group Routine Information
All Nutcracker performers are required to take AN ADDITIONAL WEEKLY TECHNIQUE class at Elevation since they are only be learning choreography during their rehearsals. All performers require additional training to enhance their on-stage performance by taking classes specific to that genre. Dancers must meet the corresponding class age and level requirements listed as of September 1st. Attending weekly classes and rehearsals is mandatory to be eligible for Nutcracker participation.
Nutcracker performers receive priority registration for Fall classes and to make that process as seamless as possible, we recommend participating in our rollover registration program: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER. To ensure your dancer is enrolled in the correct class and receives a spot, an Elevation Staff member will check your dancer's registration for the Fall 2026 session in the class(es) that correspond with the Nutcracker routine they are cast in.
Tuition will be charged on the 15th of every month and the billing cycle is 5 months and will either go from July - November or August - December, depending on when the venue is confirmed.
Exceptions:
Dancers whose rehearsals don't start until September will have tuition charged from August through November.
Dancers whose rehearsal don't start until October will have tuition charged from September - November
All cast members will be charged an annual Membership fee of $90.
The monthly Nutcracker tuition price includes:
Choreography Camp
Full Show Rehearsals from September to December
Extra Rehearsals
Costumes*
Stage Time and Dress Rehearsals in Studio and at the Theatre
Digital Download of the Performances
T-Shirt or end-of-show gift
*Select costumes are rented from an outside vendor or are the property of Elevation. You will be notified if those need to be returned to Elevation after the last performance. These are typically lead role or Party Scene costumes.
Note: The tuition rate below DOES NOT include the additional required technique class(es).
GROUP PIECE PRICE:
$125/month per group routine
$5 off on each additional group routine/per month
$80/month for Final Waltz (must also be cast & participating in a 2nd act group routine to qualify)
*Select dancers will also be required to perform in the Final Waltz routine, which will be billed at $80/month
*Select dancers will also be required to perform the Party Scene routine at no additional charge (included in tuition)
A valid credit card is required on file at all times.
Please note:
You are not guaranteed the number of group routines you request; however, the faculty does its best to meet this number.
If your dancer is cast in the number of routines selected, it is expected that your dancer will commit to that number; therefore, please ONLY select the maximum number of routines you know that your dancer/family can commit to. Any changes after the cast list is released affect the ENTIRE casting, not just your family.
Keep in mind that with more routines, your dancer may have quick changes (during the performance)
Your dancer will be required to attend multiple hours of rehearsals, depending on the number of routines they are cast in.
Adding more routines may be challenging for some dancers since the two weeks of choreography camp coincide with the first two weeks of school.
Please be mindful of your dancer's maturity, physical stamina, and fitness, as well as their mental capacity to participate, when selecting the number of routines your dancer would like to participate in.
If you selected YES for being considered for the Final Waltz, please include that in your total count of group routines.
Lead Role Information
Lead roles may be available to dancers ages 8 and up, and are cast by audition only. Dancers who are age 7 currently but will turn 8 years old by 9/1 will need to audition. Nutcracker auditions are REQUIRED for ages 8 and up on May 9th at Elevation Dance Studio. (Exact audition schedule TBA)
NEW THIS YEAR: Lead Role Summer Training Requirement
Dancers seeking consideration for a Nutcracker lead role are required to complete summer training hours to be eligible for casting. The majority of the summer training must be in the genre of the lead role you are cast in.
Minimum Summer Training Hours:
Mini & Junior Level: 10 hours
Teen & Senior Level: 15 hours
Training outside of Elevation Dance Studio must be pre-approved to be eligible for a lead role. To obtain a list of programs and/or to obtain the outside program approval form, please contact us.
This policy is in place to ensure dancers cast in principal roles are physically prepared, technically strong, and committed to the level of excellence expected in our production.
Summer training hours must be completed before August 15th.
All Nutcracker performers are required to take AN ADDITIONAL WEEKLY TECHNIQUE class at Elevation since they will only be learning choreography during their rehearsals. All performers require additional training to enhance their on-stage performance by taking classes specific to that genre. Dancers must meet age and level requirements listed as of September 1st.
Examples of lead roles may include but are not limited to: Clara, Nutcracker, Sugar Plum, Angel, Drosselmeyer, Harriet/Fritz, Grandmother/Grandfather, Rat Queen, Dew Drop, Chinese Empress, Arabian Princess, Dolls, Mother Ginger, and MORE!
Rehearsal Information
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE 2026 REHEARSAL SCHEDULE.
BY COMPLETING THIS APPLICATION, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE YOU HAVE VIEWED THE REHEARSAL SCHEDULE, THE COMMITMENT, AND THE EXPECTATIONS FOR PARTICIPATION.
MANDATORY CHOREOGRAPHY CAMPS
ALL cast members MUST BE AVAILABLE for the choreography camp AUGUST 19-SEPTEMBER 3RD (after school on weekdays and throughout the day on the weekend). The only exceptions will be for those cast in Gingers (who do not start rehearsal until September.) PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS IS THE FIRST TWO-AND-A-HALF WEEKS OF SCHOOL FOR SSSD STUDENTS!!!
REGULARLY SCHEDULED REHEARSALS FROM SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER
Weekly rehearsals will begin on Friday, September 11th, between the hours of 4pm-8pm, EXACT SCHEDULE TBD. If necessary, some lead roles may have rehearsals on Saturday 9/12. Additional rehearsals for select routines and roles MAY be added as needed. Please always plan on rehearsals running until 8pm unless otherwise notified.
NO REHEARSAL ON THE FOLLOWING FRIDAYS
September 5th (Labor Day Weekend)
October 16th (Inter-sessional break)
November 27th (Thanksgiving Week)
***Modified rehearsal schedules may be the case for other school-related activities.***
TECH WEEK / STAGING / DRESS REHEARSALS
During the week of the shows, the majority of the cast will be at the high school every day, after school hours, so please plan accordingly.
DRESS CODE
Dancers will be required to wear rehearsal dress code attire, shoes, and have their hair pulled back and away from their faces. The dress code attire will be available before the Choreography Camp in August, so you have time to gather or purchase any items you may need. All ballet attire is available for order or purchase at the studio. We are also able to order other dance attire if necessary.
Cancelation Policy
Cast List Release & Role Acceptance
After the cast list is released, families will have until June 19 to decline any assigned roles without financial obligation.
Changes Between June 20 – August 31
Any changes to casting initiated by a parent, made between June 20 and August 31, will still be responsible for the first month of Nutcracker tuition for the piece(s) being dropped.
Cancellations On or After September 1
Cancellations made on or after September 1, for any reason other than illness or injury, will be responsible for paying the monthly tuition rate for August through November. Refunds and/or tuition credit will not be available.
Cancellations due to illness or injury will require a doctor’s note in order to be released from this financial obligation.
Any cancellations must be submitted in writing via email to: renee@elevationdancestudio.com