Project Ballet

The 2026 Project Ballet Nutcracker will be performed at the Embassy Theatre, downtown Fort Wayne on December 5 & 6, 2026. This registration is only for Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3. (Dancers in Level 4 and up are automatically included in the Nutcracker, it is part of your all-inclusive tuition.)

There will be two casts - a Saturday cast and a Sunday cast. Dancers are typically assigned to just one cast - Saturday OR Sunday. Note that some (not all) dancers in Level 3 will receive two roles. If you are in Level 3 and have two roles, you may be required to be in both casts. It depends on which roles you receive and whether or not a costume change mid-show is possible.

Performance roles are assigned based on many factors including ability, previous experience, level and age. Height and clothing size are also deciding factors for certain roles, due to costuming restrictions. Roles are determined by the Artistic Director, with significant input from the faculty. We do not hold auditions for Levels 1, 2 and 3. Roles are assigned based on your child's performance in class over the summer and during the first few weeks of fall classes. 

It is expected that students will accept their assigned role(s) with grace. All roles, no matter how small, are critical to the production as a whole. Poor attitude or complaining about casting will impact future roles. Please note that many "male" roles in the Nutcracker are assigned to female students, such as soldiers, party boys, Russian boys, etc. Please prepare your child that they may be playing a gender neutral or "male" role.

Note that, in general, families cannot choose which cast they are assigned to. We try to balance our casts to have similar ages, levels, abilities, heights, etc. We also make sure to put sibling groups in the same cast as each other. Please reach out directly to Mrs. McLeish via email BEFORE completing this registration if you have a major conflict with one of the dates (i.e. a family wedding on Saturday, December 5, etc.) to see if we can work around your schedule, or not. Likewise, if you have a request that may not be obvious to our staff (such as step-siblings who did not enroll together, or first cousins, etc.). Again, we will attempt to accommodate, but cannot make any promises.

Important Dates

• The SATURDAY cast will have the following very important dates:
  Six practice rehearsals scheduled between 12:15-4:15pm on the following six Saturdays: September 26th, October 3rd, October 24th, October 31st, November 7th, and November 14th.
• Saturday, November 21st - Your in-studio dress rehearsal will be scheduled in the morning and early afternoon between approx. 10:00am-2:00pm. Exact time will depend on what role you are assigned.
• Friday, December 4th - Your theater dress rehearsal, at the Embassy, will be scheduled after 3:00pm and could go as late as 9:00pm. Exact time will depend on your role and level. Depending on your school's dismissal time and your travel distance, note that you may need to arrange early dismissal to arrive at the theater on time. Late arrival is not permitted.
• Saturday, December 5th - You will perform at 2:00pm and 7:00pm at the Embassy. Your call times will be 1-2 hours before show time, depending on role and level.
• Note: Project Ballet is closed from October 9-18 for Fall Break and from November 25-29 for Thanksgiving.

 The SUNDAY cast will have the following very important dates:

• Six practice rehearsals scheduled between 12:15-4:15pm on the following six Saturdays: September 26th, October 3rd, October 24th, October 31st, November 7th, and November 14th.
• Saturday, November 21st - Your in-studio dress rehearsal will be scheduled in the afternoon and early evening between approx. 2:00-6:00pm. Exact time will depend on what role you are assigned.
• Thursday, December 3rd - Your theater dress rehearsal, at the Embassy, will be scheduled after 3:00pm and could go as late as 9:00pm. Exact time will depend on your role and level. Depending on your school's dismissal time and your travel distance, note that you may need to arrange early dismissal to arrive at the theater on time. Late arrival is not permitted.
• Sunday, December 6th - You will perform at 1:00pm and 6:00pm at the Embassy. Your call times will be 1-2 hours before show time, depending on role and level.
• Note: Project Ballet is closed from October 9-18 for Fall Break and from November 25-29 for Thanksgiving.

Again, due to the sheer size and logistics of our production, we do not generally permit families to request a specific cast. However, if you have a specific major conflict such as family wedding, that would make you ineligible for one particular cast, please reach out directly to Mrs. McLeish via email BEFORE completing this registration to see if it can be accommodated. 

Performance Fee
Participating in the Nutcracker is $200. This participation fee covers the cost of rehearsals and backstage staffing, etc. You will need to make a minimum $50 deposit towards this fee when you sign-up to be a cast member. Please note that the $200 fee is non-refundable even if your dancer later changes their mind and decides not to participate. Please make sure your child is committed before signing up.

Detailed Rehearsal Schedule
The detailed rehearsal schedule is posted on our web calendar (https://www.huntcal.com/cal/view/NAYB/NAYB) each Sunday for the coming week. Rehearsal times will not necessarily be consistent from week-to-week, and it is critical that all cast members check the web calendar on Sunday to double check their rehearsal times for the upcoming week. Rehearsals are generally called by role, rather than student name, such as "Little Mice" or "Russian'.  

Absence
Students who need to miss a rehearsal due to illness, or other unavoidable conflict, will ALWAYS have to schedule a private lesson (scheduled before the next rehearsal) to get caught up on missed material. This private lesson is an additional cost. Please be aware that, despite the staff's best efforts, there may be certain situations where even one absence will result in your student having to be dismissed from the cast. Absolutely every effort will be made to avoid this situation, however no-call/no-show, habitual absence or missing a critical rehearsal such as the dress rehearsal, will compromise your child's ability to perform their role successfully on stage.

Injury Policy
Students who are injured and unable to dance must observe their rehearsal to meet their attendance requirement. Once recovered, we will have to schedule a private lesson (or lessons) to get the student up to speed. This private lesson is an additional cost. Please be aware that, despite the staff's best efforts, there may be certain situations where a dancer may be dismissed from the cast due to an injury that would take them out of commission for the majority of the rehearsal period.

Tardy Policy
Students who are tardy to rehearsal may be required to schedule a private lesson to make-up the rehearsal time they missed. Private lessons are an additional cost.

Supplies
Dancers must provide their own tights, shoes, leotards, earrings and undergarments for performances. The required items will vary depending on your dancer's role, and will likely be different from what your child wears for their ballet classes. A costume supply list will be provided in October and all supplies must be purchased and ready for use at the first dress rehearsal on November 21st. Failing to provide the required items for your child may result in Project Ballet having to purchase the required supplies on your behalf and billing you for the cost of the items.

Costumes
Project Ballet owns and provides all costumes and costume pieces. Cast members must show respect and care for their assigned costume. Dancers may never eat or drink in costume (with the exception of water), may not throw costumes on the floor, and are expected to help return their costume to its hanger or storage place after rehearsals and performances. Negligence or disrespect that results in damage to the costume will result in a fine equal to the cost of repair or replacement. 

Additional Costs
Project Ballet works with third party vendors to provide you with opportunities to purchase professional pictures of your child in costume, cast member merchandise, and flower bouquets. All of these costs are entirely optional and will be communicated with you via email as due dates approach.

Photography and Recording
Audience members (including parents) may not take photos or record during the performances. However, all cast members will be provided with a complimentary link to our professional recording for no additional charge. This recording will be sent in the form of a downloadable file approximately 2 weeks after the show. There will be ample opportunities to purchase professional pictures of your child in costume, including portrait sessions and on-stage photos.

Tickets
The Nutcracker is performed at the Embassy Theatre, which is a Ticketmaster venue. Project Ballet sets our ticket prices based on the revenue needed to support our production costs and related operational costs. The Embassy and Ticketmaster then add on facility and ticketing fees. You can avoid paying some of the fees by purchasing your tickets in person at the Embassy Box Office rather than online. 

Withdrawing from the Cast
If your dancer needs to withdraw from the performance, for any reason (including relocation or scheduling conflicts that prevent your child from meeting the attendance requirement), their performance participation fee will not be refunded. 

Siblings in Preparatory Ballet
Younger siblings who are enrolled in our fall Preparatory classes will also have the opportunity to sign-up to be in the Nutcracker. Sign-ups for these levels will be at the end of September. Their rehearsals will also be on Saturday afternoons, but they will not start until after Fall Break, and their commitment will be smaller. We will coordinate to make sure that younger siblings are always assigned to the same cast that you are in. No worries!

Registration closes Thursday, September 10th at midnight!