Welcome to our 61st production of The Nutcracker!
Performances at San Jose Center for Performing Arts
Rehearsals at SJDT Studios beginning September 12
Performance Fee: $75
Important Dates
Cast list released September 5
Rehearsals begin September 12
Mandatory Parent & Adult Performer Meeting: Friday, November 13th, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Theater Week Dec 8th – 10th
December 11th Once Upon a Nutcracker – 10:00 am & 1:00 pm
December 12th – 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm
December 13th – 1:00 pm & 6:00 pm
Auditions will be held on Saturday, August 29th, 2026
Primary Dancers : 6-10 year olds – No previous dance experience required
- Approximate: SJDT Level 1-2
- Registration 9:00am-9:45am
- Audition 10:00am-11:00am
- Mandatory Parent Meeting: 10:00am-10:45am
Intermediate Dancers – A: 8-13 year olds
- Approximate: SJDT Level 3-4
- Registration 10:00am-10:45am
- Audition 11:00am-12:00pm
- Mandatory Parent Meeting 11:00am-11:45am
Intermediate Dancers – B: 10-14 year olds – at least 2 years of ballet experience
- Approximate: SJDT Level 5
- Registration 11:30am-12:15pm
- Audition 12:30pm-2:00pm
- Mandatory Parent Meeting 12:30pm-1:15pm
Advanced Dancers: 11+ (at least 1-2 years of pointe)
- Approximate SJDT Level 6-7
- Registration: 1:00pm-1:45pm
- Audition: 2:00pm-4:00pm
- Mandatory Parent Meeting 2:00pm-2:45pm
Adult Pointe Dancers: 3+ years of pointe classes
- Registration: 1:00pm-1:45pm
- Audition: 2:00pm-4:00pm
Adult Dancers – no previous dance experience required
- Registration 3:30pm-4:15pm
- Audition 4:30pm-5:30pm
Important Information
- Rehearsals are each Saturday from September 12 – December 5
- Each dancer may have one pre-approved excused absence
- Performers are required to attend every rehearsal they are scheduled for
- There will be no rehearsals November 22 – 29
- Advanced and Adult Pointe Dancers will have additional weeknight rehearsals on select Monday to Thursdays throughout the rehearsal season 6:00pm – 8:00pm
- Mandatory Rehearsal Dates: No excused absences
- November 14
- November 21
- December 5
- Mandatory Theater Week December 8th – 10th is 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm at San Jose Center for Performing Arts
- Dancers must arrive 10 minutes before each rehearsal or they will be considered tardy. Excessive tardies may result in removal from the performance.
Requirements for Parents
Mandatory Parent Meeting: August 29th during Auditions. Parents of multiple dancers you only need to attend one meeting. See times above.
Mandatory Parent & Adult Performer Meeting: Friday, November 13th, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Nutcracker is a volunteer-supported production. As part of each youth dancer’s participation, every family is required to complete volunteer service. Volunteer requirements are based on the dancer’s highest-cast role and are outlined below.
Parent Volunteer Requirements by Casting Level:
Beginning Roles (Primary dancers)
- 10 pre-show volunteer hours
- Volunteer during 2 of the 6 performances
Intermediate Roles (Soldiers, Mice, Cookies, Party Scene, etc)
- 15 pre-show volunteer hours
- Volunteer during 3 of the 6 performances
Advanced Roles (including Corps de Ballet & Divertissements)
- 25 pre-show volunteer hours
- Volunteer during 4 of the 6 performances
