Thursday, August 7th at 4S Dance Academy. See the listed times above by level to determine when to audition.

Yes! The audition is invaluable for our casting and for the students as well. We cast ALL students that have registered on time, but understandably can do more with casting what we can see than what we can’t see. We review the story of the Nutcracker with our younger students and often have students of all ages try different roles and choreography as we consider them for different roles. Students gain invaluable audition experience in a safe, familiar environment, building their confidence and setting a solid foundation for future auditions. As they grow, they will audition for roles in various productions, summer programs, college programs, companies and more!

If your student cannot make the audition, please contact the studio (info@4sdanceacademy.com, 858-385-1999)

Yes! Our Nutcracker production is for our active 4SDA ballet students! The Nutcracker is a ballet production and while we have been able to have non-ballet students participate in the past, the studio has grown, the production has grown, and the ballet choreography has likewise grown more complex, thus the requirement for students to be training in current ballet classes.

Yes! All students who have completed the registration and Commitment Contract BEFORE the audition will be cast! Students who miss the audition will be cast as long as their paperwork is done before the audition!

• Complete the registration and Commitment Contract for your student BEFORE the audition, even if they can’t attend the audition, and they will be cast.
• Contact the studio to let us know they will miss the audition (info@4sdanceacademy.com, 858-385-1999)

Yes. The one-time Production Fee covers the extensive production costs of theatre rental fees, music fees, production crew, technical crew, costuming, equipment, props, set needs, rehearsal space, rehearsal staff, administrative time, insurance, and countless odds and ends.

Registration and payment is required in advance as all students who audition will be cast in a part. Rehearsals for many of the roles will start soon after the audition.

The artistic staff carefully considers each dancer and each role, placing them in a role most appropriate to their current ability and age. Other deciding factors include, but are not limited to: level, experience, summer training, attitude, previous roles and attendance. Each role, no matter the size or time on stage, is important to the success of the production. We work with dancers who are disappointed, helping them learn to embrace and often love the role they are cast in, even if it wasn’t what they were hoping for.

Rehearsals will always be held on Saturdays between 1:30 – 6:30 PM. Younger children with less demanding roles typically rehearse for a shorter period of time (approx. an hour). They may not be called in for the first few rehearsals, but after their 1st rehearsal, they will be called in to rehearse every weekend with the rest of the cast. Older students with more elaborate roles will rehearse more frequently (Saturdays for multiple hours and potentially weekday rehearsals). Updated rehearsal schedules will be posted in the studio on the bulletin board, and online a week or more in advance.

Yes! Rehearsals are mandatory! It is incredibly difficult to choreograph and set group pieces with students missing. Students are allowed (1) absence. Students with (2) absences may have their roles reduced. Students with (2+) absences will have their roles reduced or may lose their role(s) entirely and may be dropped from the production.

Refunds and account credit is not given for students with reduced rolls, or who are dropped from the production.

Participating in Nutcracker requires a commitment from students and their parents. We do not recommend that students try to juggle Nutcracker and another activity. From years of experience, we’ve seen the stress that it causes the student, their families, our faculty and other students who count on them to be present at rehearsals. Nutcracker is required to be the priority over other activities as missing (2+) rehearsals will result in reduced rolls, losing their roll(s) or being dropped from the production.

Students do not need to participate in Nut Prep Week, though we highly encourage it for students Division 1 and up! Being back in the studio will build their confidence for the audition and will get them excited for Nutcracker!

Company students are expected to attend Nutcracker Prep Week.

November 20 – 23, 2025 at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts. We anticipate we will do 2 – 3 performances, so please keep the entire week open for extra rehearsals and theatre time.

Students LOVE performing and we LOVE having them perform as much as possible. Students are required to perform in all Nutcracker shows. If you know that your student will miss a show, then please do not sign them up for Nutcracker this year.

No, the cost to use 4SDA’s Nutcrackers costumes is included in the Production Fee. Nutcracker costumes are stored, handled, altered, cleaned and cared for by 4SDA. There will be fittings and all of the associated costs are included in the production fee.

All Nutcracker fees are non-refundable. Please review your schedule through Thanksgiving before registering. Talk through the commitment with your dancer, before they audition to help them prepare!