Jan McNulty Posted August 10, 2017 Share Posted August 10, 2017 Birmingham Royal Ballet holds open auditions for young dancers to appear in The Nutcracker at the Royal Albert Hall Does your child dream of being a ballet dancer, performing for thousands of people on the world’s most famous stage? This Christmas, Birmingham Royal Ballet could make this dream a reality. The ballet company are on the hunt for young boys and girls to appear in its enchanting new production of The Nutcracker, which is being performed for the first-time ever at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall in December 2017. This brand new version of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s The Nutcracker, with its classic story, glorious dancing and ravishing Tchaikovsky score played by a full symphony orchestra, has been created especially for the Royal Albert Hall. State-of-the-art technology, ground-breaking projections and 75kg of artificial snow combine to conjure a vivid and magical winter wonderland. Birmingham Royal Ballet is holding open auditions on Sunday 1 October at Urdang Academy. The Company is looking for sixteen children (eight boys and eight girls) to cast in The Nutcracker at the Royal Albert Hall, 28-31 December. There will be two teams of children, each performing in up to four performances. In order to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, children must be in school years 5, 6 or 7 (from September 2017). The maximum height for participants is 142cm (4ft 6”). Birmingham Royal Ballet is looking for boys and girls who enjoy dancing, have good musicality and love to perform. Previous ballet experience is an advantage, but not necessary. The open auditions for The Nutcracker will include a dance and acting workshop delivered by a senior member of Birmingham Royal Ballet, as well as the chance to learn some of the steps performed in the ballet. For further information, or to apply for an audition, please visit brb.org.uk. Notes to EditorsAUDITION INFO Audition date: Sunday 1 October Venue: Urdang Academy, The Old Finsbury Town Hall, Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1 4RP Times will be confirmed nearer the audition day, once applications have been received. Link to applications: https://www.brb.org.uk/post/audition-notice-children-wanted-for-the-nutcracker-at-the-royal-albert-hall LISTINGS INFOThe Nutcracker at the Royal Albert Hall Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2APThursday 28 December, 7pm Friday 29 December, 2pm and 7pm Saturday 30 December, 2pm and 7pmSunday 31 December, 1pm and 5pm Tickets: £35-£85www.royalalberthall.com / 020 7589 8212 NOTES FOR EDITORS ROYAL ALBERT HALL The Royal Albert Hall is the world’s most famous stage. Over the past 146 years, it has hosted everyone from Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein and Edward Elgar to The Beatles, Bob Dylan and Adele. Last year, its breath-taking auditorium presented 390 events by the world’s greatest performers – taking in rock, pop and classical music, dance, films, Cirque du Soleil and even tennis – with the magical setting and inspired artists creating amazing memories for audiences. Opened in 1871 to fulfil Prince Albert’s vision of a central hall to promote the arts and sciences, the Hall is a registered charity that remains true to his founding ambitions within a modern context. It hosts over 800 events a year in its secondary space, the Elgar Room, and beyond, broadening the Hall’s appeal to incorporate younger and more diverse audiences. Its Education & Outreach programme reaches more than 195,000 participants each year, working with schools, young people and the community, as well as other charities such as Music for Youth, as part of its extensive public benefit remit. BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET Based at Birmingham Hippodrome since 1990, Birmingham Royal Ballet is the United Kingdom’s leading classical ballet touring company performing a range of traditional, classical and heritage ballets as well as ground-breaking new works with the aim of encouraging choreographers of the future. The company’s Director is the award-winning David Bintley, CBE and Chief Executive is Jan Teo. Birmingham Royal Ballet performs at Birmingham Hippodrome for approximately ten weeks of the year and the remainder of the year tours throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Splitz Posted August 10, 2017 Share Posted August 10, 2017 Thank you, this looks exciting! DD wants to sign up. (she is only just short enough!) I wonder why they are doing open auditions this way and not using Elmhurst students? Is it something they've done before? Just curious. I imagine the response will be HUGE... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahw Posted August 10, 2017 Share Posted August 10, 2017 Height reasons I would think... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hambleton Posted August 10, 2017 Share Posted August 10, 2017 What about the Birmingham Hippodrome performances I wonder? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balletmum55 Posted August 10, 2017 Share Posted August 10, 2017 Normally they take 4 boys and 4 girls from Elmhurst associates, and 4 boys and 4 girls from royal ballet associates, to make up 2 teams for their Birmingham production. They get auditioned on their first day back in September as associates. This is the first time BRB have performed Nutcracker at RAH i understand so I presume they want more local children to that theatre. They'll continue to take the children from the normal route I presume for the longer Birmingham run of the nutcracker, but this will be a separate opportunity. My dd was lucky enough to be a party child in the Nutcracker with BRB last year when she was a JA (and is on the photo ☺️) and it was the best experience of her young life. (Lots of travelling for all the performances and LOTS of rehearsals tho,, and for the Birmingham one you had to commit to every single one or couldn't take part) - exhausting as we don't live in birmingham, but in hindsight it was totally worth sitting on the m6 every night xxx 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted August 10, 2017 Share Posted August 10, 2017 2 hours ago, sarahw said: Height reasons I would think... also years 5 , 6 and 7 age range iirc Elmhurst start with y7s , the age range is more JAs isn't it ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Splitz Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 Yes I guess it might be a bit of a trek for some Elmhurst JAs! And I guess London-based RBS JAs will be busy with the RB Nutcracker? The BRB isn't asking for any specific ballet experience, so I guess it'll all be fairly basic which is why they're opening it out... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junedancer Posted August 11, 2017 Share Posted August 11, 2017 13 hours ago, sarahw said: Height reasons I would think... With the average nine year old girl in the UK at 4'6", yes I would agree with height. We know a few little dancers so will send this there way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tatasmum Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 (edited) It's a shame the auditions won't be held in Birmingham. Edit to say I thought the performances would be in Birmingham! I had already seen this on Facebook but didn't read it carefully ! Edited August 13, 2017 by Tatasmum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAK Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 Did anyone here apply for this? We sent in an application for DD2 back in August and were advised we'd receive audition timings for 1st October last week but still haven't heard anything, so wondering whether anyone has? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ButterflyBallerina Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 I've not heard anything But I also didn't read it properly until seeing the above comment so now unsure if we will be attending after all X 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Splitz Posted September 13, 2017 Share Posted September 13, 2017 We applied too back in August and no not heard anything , only had receipt email from booking..! Might try and email them tomorrow ... Sounds like they've been inundated- 1 Oct date sold out and new date added .. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAK Posted September 14, 2017 Share Posted September 14, 2017 I'm sure they would have been. Hope they give you an update when you email @Splitz😊 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAK Posted September 15, 2017 Share Posted September 15, 2017 Audition slot now received 😊 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Splitz Posted September 15, 2017 Share Posted September 15, 2017 Same here And it's not hideously early! (phew) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swanilda Posted September 30, 2017 Share Posted September 30, 2017 Audition registrations for 8 October are still open The audition will be a one-hour session Specification for audition: School years: 5, 6 and 7 (from September 2017) Maximum height: 142 cm (4ft 8") Rehearsal schedule 2 days intensive during autumn half term in London Fortnightly rehearsals in London during November and the first part of December 18 and 19 December in Birmingham 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAK Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 Hmm, just re-reading initial brief: 142 cms does not equate to 4'6" (closer to 4'8") so I wonder which they need/meant! Either way, looking forward to today's audition - all good experience 😊 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swanilda Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 We are going today too 2:30-3:30 slot 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAK Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 Good luck! Apparently they are seeing about 200 dancers across the two days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swanilda Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 200 today and 150 on 08.10 and the registrations are still open. It was a really lovely audition class today. 30-31 kids are going in every hour and half. The panel will select 8 boys and 8 girls and results will be emailed in 2 weeks. Good luck to everyone! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAK Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 Wow that's so many! It's a win-win though as they generate a fair income from the experience and the kids have a great time too, many of whom might not do many auditions otherwise 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balletbean Posted October 2, 2017 Share Posted October 2, 2017 This was posted on FB just 45mins ago. (Fingers crossed my IT skillls work) Interesting that thry only ask for boys in their most recent post. AUDITION NOTICE: We're looking for talented boys to join us on stage in our brand new production of #BRBNutcracker at the Royal Albert Hall this Christmas with auditions being held in London this weekend. Applicants must be in school years 5, 6 or 7 (from September 2017). The maximum height for boys taking part is 142cm and ideally, we're looking for boys who enjoy dancing and love to perform. Previous ballet experience is an advantage, but not necessary. Interested? Please email Katie in our education team by 5pm on Friday 6th October ( KatieMann@brb.org.uk) for further details. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Splitz Posted October 2, 2017 Share Posted October 2, 2017 I'm not surprised they are only asking for boys. SO many little girls!! With only 8 girls' places up for grabs (out of around 300) the odds are pretty low. I'm not sure we would have spent the £25 audition fee plus £20 train fare though had we known so many were auditioning! Still, DD said she really enjoyed the class. (And we discovered a branch of our favourite bakery just round the corner where they do the world's best cinnamon buns ) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balletbean Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 13 hours ago, Splitz said: I'm not surprised they are only asking for boys. SO many little girls!! With only 8 girls' places up for grabs (out of around 300) the odds are pretty low. I'm not sure we would have spent the £25 audition fee plus £20 train fare though had we known so many were auditioning! Still, DD said she really enjoyed the class. (And we discovered a branch of our favourite bakery just round the corner where they do the world's best cinnamon buns ) I can sympathize with you over costs. DD has been invited to ENBS Audition workshop. Travel costs alone was going to be over £300!! And that was just for a workshop, with no 'prize' at the end of it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swanilda Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 https://www.royalalberthall.com/about-the-hall/news/2017/october/behind-the-scenes-at-the-nucracker-open-auditions-for-young-ballet-dancers-to-star-in-the-nutcracker/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junedancer Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 On 01/10/2017 at 09:14, MAK said: Hmm, just re-reading initial brief: 142 cms does not equate to 4'6" (closer to 4'8") so I wonder which they need/meant! Either way, looking forward to today's audition - all good experience 😊 Hope all went well with the audition. This is bit late to respond and for anyone applying but I have only now come across this post again. I remembering thing that the problem is a metric/imperial issue: 142cm is around 4.6 feet although that isn't the correct way for this to be presented as you don't present imperial measurements in metric so yes this was 4'8" which I take it was the maximum height they were looking at, not 4' 6" - I hope no-one was put of by this. Either way my daughter was too tall - pity it looked like a good experience for the £20 fee. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Sunshine Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 My dd auditioned Sunday. She very much enjoyed the class. They said all results will be emailed within the week. Fingers crossed to everyone. With apparently over 300 taking part what a difficult job to select the lucky 8 girls and 8 boys. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swanilda Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 On 01.10 some groups (of 30) had 2-3 boys and some groups had girls only. It might equate to a 35-40 girls per place competition. In any case the process was so well organised and the audition class was lovely. All kids came out beaming with joy. My DD is too tall, I checked online - 4 ft 8 in cm = 142.24 cm, but we went anyway. She now has her ballet photo on the Albert Hall website, that was not expected, a nice memento from the audition. The fee well invested 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foreverdrivingtodance Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 We did not go along as DD would have been too tall at 147cm, thought we would have been turned away at the door! Perhaps wish we had as from pictures looked like some taller dancers & would have been a fun experience. Good Luck to everyone that auditioned x 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAK Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 Beautiful photos and such an array of colours 😊. Actually quite relieved not to spot DD2 on there as I'd probably have been telling her off for not pointing her feet enough or slumpy posture 😂😂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Living2dance Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 15 hours ago, MAK said: Beautiful photos and such an array of colours 😊. Actually quite relieved not to spot DD2 on there as I'd probably have been telling her off for not pointing her feet enough or slumpy posture 😂😂 Haha, Mak, I said exactly that 😂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Splitz Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 Anyone heard anything yet? Thought we'd have heard by now. Don't have high hopes but would be good to know either way 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAK Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 Nothing here yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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