A 30-Year Tradition
For 30 years, The Nutcracker: A Storybook Ballet has brought dancers, families, and community members together for a magical holiday tradition in North County.
This milestone season celebrates the generations of performers, volunteers, instructors, and audience members who have helped bring the production to life year after year. We are honored to continue sharing this story with our community and cannot wait to welcome dancers to the stage for another unforgettable season.
2026 Production Details
Auditions and rehearsals for this season’s production will be held at Class Act Dance. Families interested in participating should review the audition details below and complete the RSVP form before attending the information meeting.
Mandatory Information Meeting: August 19, 2026 | 6:30–7:30pm (parents and dancers are welcome to attend)
Audition Date: August 22, 2026
Ages 6-7: 9:00-9:45am (Level 1 Technique)
Ages 8-10: 10:00-10:45am (Level 1/2 Technique)
Ages 11-12: 11:00am-12:00pm(Level 2/3 Technique)
Ages 13+: 12:30-2:30pm (Level 3-5 Technique)
Adult Dancers: 3:00 - 4:00pm (Party Scene Casting)
Callbacks: August 23, 2026 (by invitation only)
Performance Dates:
Friday, December 4, 2026 – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 5, 2026 – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 6, 2026 – 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 12th (sensory friendly performance) – 2:00 p.m.
Performance Location:
Performances from December 4 - 6th will be held at the Alex and Faye Spanos Theatre, San Luis Obispo, CA
Sensory friendly performance will be held at the Templeton Performing Arts Center, Templeton, CA
Who Can Audition?
Auditions are open to all dancers in our community who are interested in being part of this year’s Nutcracker cast. Dancers should arrive prepared to learn choreography and participate in a group audition setting.
Please review the age and level expectations carefully before signing up. Casting is based on many factors, including age, level, availability, performance needs, and overall production balance.
Production Commitment
Being part of The Nutcracker: A Storybook Ballet is a wonderful opportunity for dancers to grow as performers, build confidence, and take part in a beloved holiday tradition. Because this is a full-scale production, participation does require a commitment from both dancers and families.
Cast members are expected to attend all scheduled rehearsals, arrive on time, come prepared, and be available for all required production dates, including weekly rehearsals, tech week, dress rehearsals, and performances. Regular attendance is important, as each dancer plays a role in the overall success and safety of the production.
Families should attend the informational meeting to carefully review rehearsal and performance dates, required volunteer positions, and overall production expectations before auditioning. A full rehearsal schedule and production packet will be shared with participating families. By accepting a role, dancers and families are agreeing to the schedule, financial commitments, responsibilities, and expectations outlined for the season.