MCB Holding Nutcracker Auditions for Children in Naples

Aspiring Child Dancers of Naples Can Be A Part of Miami City Ballet’s Spectacular
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ – The Biggest Holiday Production In South Florida

Auditions to be held Sunday, September 13 at Artis-Naples.

MIAMI BEACH, FL – (August 3, 2015) – For many young ballerinas, the idea of performing alongside Miami City Ballet dancers in the holiday extravaganza—George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™— would seem like a distant dream. However, for the children of Naples, the opportunity comes on Sunday, September 13 at Artis-Naples, where auditions will begin at 11:30am.

Each year MCB provides aspiring students ages 8 and up with previous ballet training the chance to portray several roles in the production, including party children, angels, polichinelles and even the lead role of Marie. Known for its magnificent scenery and Tchaikovsky’s magical music, the annual production is a highly anticipated staple in Miami City Ballet’s repertoire. Selected children will participate in rehearsals where they will learn and practice the ballet’s choreography and then take the stage with MCB dancers for performances at Artis-Naples Dec. 5-6.

Naples Ballet Artistic Director and Naples rehearsal director Christophe Maraval says, “Naples Academy of Ballet and I are honored to be working with the internationally esteemed Miami City Ballet. What a wonderful opportunity for Naples children to be able to perform in Balanchine’s Nutcracker alongside such talented dancers. I’m sure it will be a memorable experience… one they’ll cherish forever.”

New corps de ballet member Ella Titus embarked on her lifelong dream of becoming a dancer with Miami City Ballet as a child performer in the production. Titus, who was recently featured on Teen Vogue’s web series “Strictly Ballet,” started ballet classes at age 3 after watching her first performance in her hometown of Clearwater when the company toured there. Later, she auditioned to be one of the child performers and did it for five years, even performing the lead role of Marie. When she was 14, she came to train at MCB School full time and continued to perform in the production as a student. Her dream was finally realized this year when she was offered a contract to join the corps de ballet.

“I grew up watching Miami City Ballet and fell in love right away,” says Titus. “Dancing Marie was a dream come true and now it’s unbelievable to think I get to dance in The Nutcracker with the company!”

One of the only companies in the country to perform George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™, Miami City Ballet’s production boasts a cast of over 100, with many roles performed by children. The perfect holiday treat for the entire family, performances will take place at Artis-Naples on December 5-6, 2015. Tickets begin at just $25, and are available at miamicityballet.org, or by calling the MCB Box Office at 305.929.7010 or 877.929.7010 toll-free.

Naples Audition Details:
Sunday, September 13

Location: Artis-Naples, Frances Pew Hayes Hall 5833 Pelican Bay Boulevard Naples, FL 34108
Contact: Christophe Maraval at 239.249.0306 or christophepm@gmail.com.
• Registration (Height up to 4’4) 11:30am-12pm / Audition Class 12pm-1pm
• Registration (Height 4’5 to 4’10) 12:45pm-1:15pm / Audition Class 1:15pm-3:15pm
• Registration (Height 4’10-5’1) 3pm-3:30pm / Audition Class 3:30pm-4:15pm
• Performances at Artis-Naples: Saturday, Dec. 5 at 2 & 8pm; Sunday, Dec. 6 at 2pm

Children selected to perform will participate in daily rehearsals Sept. 19-20 and Sept. 26-27, followed by weekly rehearsals on Sundays beginning October 4 at Naples Academy of Ballet leading up to the performance.