Audition Information
*Grades entering school year 2023-2024
Nutcracker Auditions: May 13, 2023
June 11, 2023
Junior Company
age 8 thru *7th grade
11:00am-12:15pm
Senior Company
*8th grade thru age 18
12:30pm-2:00pm
Registration closes on May 12, 2023.
Ballet Productions
At West Michigan Youth Ballet, we are always looking towards the future. As we work on one production, we are planning our next. Auditions for the Spring Ballet are held in November/December and auditions for The Nutcracker are held in May/June.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. How many days/week for rehearsals & what days/times?
WMYB rehearsals are generally 12:00 - 5pm on Sundays with the last one being the Sunday before the show. We call the last one Super Sunday because it is often a much longer day maybe 10am-8pm. For Nutcracker, there are 2 weeks of choreography in late August where groups are called in the evening Monday-Thursday. A schedule for choreography week is generally sent a week before. During the performance year, a schedule is sent out on the Monday/Tuesday prior to the following Sunday rehearsal, calling dancer parts & times rehearsing for scheduling.
2. What are the dates of the 2023/2024 performances?
Our Nutcracker performance dates are December 2nd, 3rd and 9th and our spring performance date is TBD. All performances are at the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center except December 9th which is at the Frauenthal Theater in Muskegon.
3. What will the audition entail?
The audition will be a "master class", much like your daughter/son would have in a studio ballet class with barre warm-up and combinations given. No solo dancing is required at the audition. We encourage any new dancers considering the audition to come for the experience of the audition process and to meet/see the artistic director. Parents/guardians are welcome to stay in the waiting area during the audition. Dancers will hear of their acceptance status within five days of the audition via the email address provided at the registration. Please watch for an email from communications@wmyb.org.
4. What does it cost to audition and participate in the performance?
The cost to audition is $25 per dancer and $365 female/ $50 male to participate in the performance. We do offer a sibling discount of $100 per sibling. Cost of audition is due when you register. Payment for the performance is due with your signed dancer’s contract on July 15th.
5. Is there a dress code for audition?
Dress code is black leotard, pink tights, ballet slippers and hair in a bun (girls). Black shorts/pant/tight, white shirt, ballet shoes (boys).
6. When will the Cast list be released?
Typically, one week before Choreography starts.
7. Are there any other costs to be aware of?
The $365 tuition cost covers all of the instruction, studio time and costumes. Depending on the roles you are cast in, there may be a few costume components you will need. Things like specific shoes, briefs, hair piece, etc. Every dancer will need ballet flats,a nude leotard and stage makeup.
8. Can parents get involved?
YES!!!! We are a parent run organization and welcome all who want to help. In fact, as part of your dancer’s participation at WMYB, we ask that each family donate 20 hours of time during rehearsals and 5 hours of time during performance weekend. We have lots of different tasks that need to get done both at the studio and remotely.