Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet is coming to Chattanooga at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium.

Auditions for local children to participate in the performance will be held in partnership with Ballet Esprit, on Sept. 17. Company soloists will conduct the audition and direct the first rehearsals. Young dancers ages 6 to 17 are invited to audition through Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet’s unique “Dance with Us” program.

Over its touring North America, close to 100,000 children have performed with the international casts of Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet.

The 2026 production stars principal dancers from the great opera houses of Ukraine and features world-class artists from Japan, Italy, Turkey, and more.

Anchored in a mission to make world-class dance accessible to new communities, the international cast of Nutcracker! will join forces with a vibrant cast of local young dancers in select cities. This special collaboration gives aspiring performers the chance to take the stage with elite ballet professionals, adding a cherished hometown touch for audiences while offering local children an unforgettable, hands-on community connection to the performing arts.

The audition is open to all area dance students in Chattanooga. Children will be cast in a number of roles including Party Children, Mice, Little Snowflakes, Star Sprites, Star Maidens, and junior corps de ballet for the Act II Spanish, Chinese, French, Arabian, and Slavic variations. All costumes are provided by the company.

Following the initial rehearsal period, the children’s cast will rehearse prior to the show for 6-8 weeks at Ballet Esprit, in advance of the performance at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium. On the performance day, the children’s cast will be fitted for hand-sewn costumes designed by the highly acclaimed Arthur Oliver, followed by a dress rehearsal and the performance. There is no instruction fee charged, but NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet requires a minimum $50 participation fee from all youth dancers who are cast in the performance to help cover costume maintenance and other related administrative costs.

Dancers can sign up to audition at www.nutcracker.com/dance.