Be Part of the Magic: Extras in The Nutcracker

marketing56022
Sep 13
2 min read

Every holiday season, Ensemble Ballet Theatre brings the beloved story of The Nutcracker to life on stage. This year, our performances will take place December 5–7, 2025, and we’re excited to once again invite young dancers from the community to join us as Nutcracker Extras!

What Is a Nutcracker Extra?

Extras are dancers ages 3-18 who join the cast in fun, memorable roles like Party Children, Combat Mice, Soldiers, Gingersnaps, and more. It’s the perfect chance for dancers to:

Experience learning choreography.
Rehearse alongside our company dancers.
Step into the spotlight and perform on stage with a professional ballet production.

This opportunity gives dancers a taste of what it’s like to perform with the Ensemble Ballet Theatre Performance Division, and may even spark the dream of one day auditioning for the company!

Audition Day Information

Date: Saturday, October 11th, 2025

Time: 12:00pm-12:45pm (Ages 3-7)

1:15pm-2:00pm (Ages 8+)

Special Notes:

No dance experience is needed
Dancers must be potty trained and able to use the restroom independently.

Mandatory Parent Meeting: While dancers audition, parents must attend a meeting with our Extras Coordinator.

Audition Fee: $25/dancer

Audition Attire:

Female-identifying dancers: leotard, tights, ballet shoes, hair pulled neatly away from face.
Male-identifying dancers: shirt, pants or shorts, ballet shoes, hair pulled neatly away from face.

The Commitment

If cast, extras are placed in one role and are expected to attend a short series of in-studio rehearsals as well as all required theatre rehearsals and show dates. Typically, dancers must attend at least four out of five rehearsals to remain eligible for casting.

While the rehearsal dates are not yet finalized, here’s what families can expect:

In-Studio Rehearsals: Several Saturday or Sunday rehearsals in October and November.
Theatre Rehearsals: Mandatory evenings in early December, the week of the show.
Performances: December 5–7, 2025 at Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center.

Please note: In rare cases, an extra may be invited to perform in a special scene alongside company dancers, which could require additional rehearsals.

Why Join as an Extra?

For many young dancers, being a Nutcracker Extra is their first experience on a big stage with costumes, lights, and an audience cheering them on. It’s an unforgettable memory that inspires confidence, builds friendships, and introduces them to the magic of storytelling through dance.

Parents often tell us how proud their dancer feels after performing, and how excited they are to keep dancing!