Open auditions will be held in West Hartford beginning on Saturday, Aug. 21.

Junior Corps de Ballet dancer in Spanish-Chocolate at Hill-Stead Museum. Courtesy photo

Submitted

After two years away from the stage, Ballet Theatre Company (BTC) is gearing up for its triumphant return in its 23rd season.

The company, which has prided itself on providing high-quality arts experiences to the Greater Hartford community since its inception in 1999, is on the brink of a season of incredible growth. BTC’s Season 23 will be marked by the launch of an inaugural company of resident professional dancers, featuring 8-10 newly added dancers who will elevate and enhance the production experience for all.

BTC is pleased to announce its upcoming auditions for “The Nutcracker,” and its Junior Corps de Ballet program, to allow student dancers the chance to be involved in this exciting time for the company.

Junior Corps de Ballet audition. Photo credit: Erica Marie Photography (courtesy photo)

Over the course of the company’s history, BTC has frequently offered opportunities for students at its training school, The School of Ballet Theatre Company (SBTC), and community dancers to perform alongside professional dancers in its annual holiday presentation of “The Nutcracker,” its Spring full-length ballets and other performances. The chance to learn and rehearse repertoire and present it to an audience is one that inspires many young dancers to devote themselves to their ballet training. Sharing that experience with professional dancers brings even more magic, and inspires the dancers to reach new heights with their performance in the presence of highly-trained professionals.

In the past, while some local and guest professionals brought in by BTC have attended multiple rehearsals leading up to a given production, many of the professional dancers’ busy schedules allowed only minimal rehearsal time with the student dancers. Sharing the stage with professionals is an incredible opportunity that BTC seeks to provide for its dancers of all ages, and one that not many students are typically afforded. The presence of BTC’s resident professional dancers throughout the rehearsal process will further elevate this experience for young dancers. BTC is thrilled to be able to provide this chance to students through performing in its production of “The Nutcracker,” and for more advanced dancers, becoming a member of BTC’s Junior Corps de Ballet.  

Dancers ages 6 and up who dream of dancing across the stage are invited to attend BTC’s audition for “The Nutcracker,” held on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, from 1:30-6:30 p.m. at its 20 Jefferson Ave location. Dancers are called by age group, and will learn excerpts of choreography that best fit their skill level to determine their role in the production. For full audition and production details and pre-registration, visit www.dancebtc.org/audition-the-nutcracker.

For more advanced dancers, BTC’s Junior Corps de Ballet provides numerous performance opportunities alongside BTC’s resident professional company. This elite group is by-audition only, and accepted members attend Junior Corps de Ballet class in addition to their training regimen at The School of Ballet Theatre Company, and are invited to train weekly alongside BTC’s professional dancers in company class. During the 22nd Season, dancers from BTC’s Junior Corps de Ballet were selected to perform in Autumn Aurora, The Nutcracker Reimagined in partnership with Hill-Stead, and Snow White. Dancers additionally participated in a “Ballerinas & Bus Stops” photoshoot, a collaboration with the West Hartford Art League and assisted with an event in partnership with Girls on the Run Greater Hartford.

Ballerinas & Bus Stops, West Hartford Art League. Courtesy photo

The mission of BTC’s Junior Corps de Ballet is to provide serious dancers the opportunity to train at a high caliber, experience professional dance at a young age, and, if interested, prepare for a future in dance. Members of the Junior Corps de Ballet learn the importance of discipline and goal setting, leadership skills, working well with others, and professionalism in and out of the performing arts world. An audition for interested dancers will be held on Saturday, Aug. 21 from 9:30 a.m.-1. p.m. Potential auditionees are encouraged to read full information about program opportunities and requirements at https://www.dancebtc.org/junior-corps-de-ballet.

Ballet Theatre Company is thrilled to offer audition opportunities for “The Nutcracker” and BTC’s Junior Corps de Ballet to aspiring local dancers, and eagerly awaits its long anticipated return to the stage, now with enhanced opportunities for all involved.

Ballet Theatre Company is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. It is supported in part by Ron and Nancy Compton, The State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development Office of the Arts, The Greater Hartford Arts Council, The Hoffman Foundation, The Long Foundation, The Ensworth Charitable Foundation, The Edward C and Ann T Roberts Foundation, Laurel Graphic Design, Cricket Press and We-Ha.com.

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford! Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.