Chicago's Spectacular Holiday Tradition Seeks Dancers for Its Glittering 1920s Fantasy
Company:
A&A BALLET
The stage lights are calling, and the spotlight could be yours. The award-winning A&A BALLET announces open auditions for its critically acclaimed 10th Annual Art Deco Nutcracker 2025, where young dancers transform into glittering stars of the Golden Age in Chicago's most enchanting holiday spectacle.
A Chicago family favorite for nearly a decade, this isn't just any Nutcracker – it's a time machine to the roaring twenties, where Clara dances through a world of shimmering sequins, geometric splendor, and the intoxicating rhythms of an era that defined glamour. This is where dreams take flight against backdrops of gold and silver, where every pirouette tells a story of imagination, beauty, and the magic that happens when classical ballet meets the electric energy of the 1920s.
For young performers, it represents more than just a role – it's a chance to be part of Chicago's most talked-about holiday tradition, performing alongside seasoned professionals in a production that critics and audiences alike have celebrated as "visually stunning" and "utterly captivating."
The search is on for Chicago's next generation of performers. Dancers aged 4-24 from across Chicagoland are invited to audition for this unique opportunity. A&A BALLET welcomes all skill levels and dance styles to bring the extraordinary vision of Creative Director Alexie Kremnev to life.
Saturday auditions begin September 6 at A&A BALLET studios and Inspire School of Dance in Naperville.
"Our Art Deco Nutcracker isn't just a performance – it's a Chicago institution that has captivated families and Nutcracker lovers for 10 years," says A&A BALLET Co-Founder & Artistic Director Alexei Kremnev. "Every year, we watch young dancers discover their power on our stage, surrounded by the opulence and artistry of the Art Deco era. We're not just casting roles; we're inviting the next generation to become part of something truly extraordinary."
Since its debut in 2016, this production has redefined what Chicago holiday theater and traditions can be. This year promises to push those boundaries even further, with new theatrical elements, choreography and humor.
Auditions are open to children and young adults of all levels and styles of dance ages 4-24. Registration required.
Audition Attire: Girls – black camisole leotard, pink footed tights, pink canvas ballet and pointe shoes (age/level appropriate). Boys – black footed tights or black dance shorts, white tight fitted t-shirt, black or skin colored ballet shoes. The audition will include some basic dance movements and a combination to be performed in character. No preparation of audition material is necessary. Dancers will be notified via email within the week after the audition if cast in the production. Rehearsals begin in October and will take place primarily on Saturdays.
Chicago Auditions Registration https://forms.gle/duynLWGHtT8NQM3A8
Saturdays September 6, 13, 20, 27
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
A&A BALLET Center for Dance
731 S. Plymouth Court, Chicago, IL 60605
Naperville Auditions Registration https://forms.gle/RRm6Fr6Mwzzns2iH8
Sunday, September 7, 2025
The Inspire School of Dance
24125 111th St #300, Naperville, IL 60564
9:30 - Registration
10:00-10:30 - Ages 11-13
10:30-11:00 - Ages 14+
11:00-11:30 - Ages 7-10
11:30-12:00 - Ages 4-6
Who: Ballet company, A&A BALLET, was founded in 2016 by Alexei Kremnev and Anna Reznik. Both are distinguished dancers with experience as Artistic Directors at the Joffrey Ballet Academy and the Joffrey Studio Company. The Art Deco Nutcracker is Kremnev’s 11 full-length ballet. His work has been presented at the world-renowned Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, Lincoln Center in New York, and the Opernhaus Zurich in Switzerland, among other prestigious venues across the globe. Both Kremnev and Reznik have been recognized as Influential People in the Arts in Cincinnati and have received multiple awards for their leadership.
Additional Information:
www.aacenterfordance.org/
312-545-2142
About A&A BALLET
A&A Ballet is based in Chicago's state-of-the-art A&A BALLET Center for Dance and is devoted to training in strong, versatile dance techniques, as well as the development of personality, independence and artistry. Led by internationally acclaimed artists and former Founding Artistic Directors of the Joffrey Academy and Joffrey Studio Company, Anna Reznik and Alexei Kremnev, A&A offers a wide variety of classes, professional performance opportunities, private instruction, choreography and training for dancers ranging from age 3 to adult. To date, A&A trained students have secured more than 250 full scholarships and multiple company, apprentice and studio company positions with powerhouses including American Ballet Theater, New York City Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, Boston Ballet, Norwegian National Ballet, Finnish National Ballet, Houston Ballet, Princess Grace Academy of Monaco, Bolshoi Ballet, Colorado Ballet, BalletMet and Sarasota Ballet. For more information visit www.aacenterfordance.org or call 312/545-2142.
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