Press Release: SPAC Announces NYCB Children's Auditions - March 9
February 4, 2025
CASTING CALL!
New York City Ballet Holds Auditions for 36 Local Children to Fill Roles in
Coppélia for Saratoga Season
Sun, March 9 @ 10am at
SPAC School of the Arts in Saratoga Springs
Saratoga Springs, NY – On SUNDAY, MARCH 9 at 10 AM, New York City Ballet (NYCB) will audition area children to dance during its Saratoga season, July 9 -12. Led by NYCB Children’s Repertory Director Dena Abergel and Associate Children’s Repertory Director Arch Higgins, the auditions are for 36 children roles in George Balanchine’s Coppélia, which first premiered at SPAC in 1974.
“Bringing four performances of Coppélia, which held its world premiere in Saratoga, is a truly special opportunity for the community and our young aspiring dancers. With three acts of lavish sets and costumes and more than 130 performers, including 36 local children, it promises to delight and inspire ballet lovers and newcomers, alike,” said Elizabeth Sobol, President & CEO of Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
Casting for Coppélia includes roles for twenty-four girls who are nine-13 years old between four feet, two inches and five feet, one inches tall. In addition, there will be roles for six young ladies who are 14-18 years old between five feet, two inches and five feet, seven inches tall and six young men who are 14-18 years old and at least five feet, five inches tall. At least two years of ballet training is encouraged for all of the roles. Understudies will also be cast.
Rehearsals for selected dancers will be held from June 29 to July 9 at the SPAC School of the Arts and at the SPAC amphitheater.
Considered one of the greatest comedic ballets of the 19th Century, Coppélia premiered in Saratoga in 1974 and was co-commissioned by SPAC. Choreographed by George Balanchine and Alexandra Danilova after Marius Petipa, it has remained one of the best-loved classical works in the ballet repertory. Balanchine’s strong belief in the importance of the performance tradition for young people is perhaps nowhere better demonstrated than in this work which features a large cast of children. New York City Ballet will perform its full-length production of Coppélia at SPAC on July 9, 10 and 11 at 7:30 p.m. and on July 12 at 2:00 p.m.
Advance registration is required by Thursday, March 6 and applicants must audition in person to be considered.
Auditions on March 9 will commence at 10 a.m. for children ages 14-18 (check-in no earlier than 9 a.m.) and at 10:30 a.m. for children ages nine to 13 (check-in no earlier than 9:30 a.m.) at the SPAC School of the Arts (located behind the National Museum of Dance School), 99 South Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY. Visit spac.org for more details.
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