POLICIES

When being cast in a large production such as this, performers and their parents hold many responsibilities. Listed below is what is expected of each performer, and their parent, as well as general information about City Youth Ballet and this production. It is imperative that you read it carefully BEFORE agreeing to the policies, or completing the audition application, and let us know if you have any questions.

Albemarle Academy of Dance is proud to be the official school of the City Youth Ballet; however, the two organizations are separate. The City Youth Ballet is governed by a Board of Directors with all Directors being voting members of CYB. The CYB artistic staff (artistic director, choreographers, technical directors, etc.) are not voting members of the Board of Directors therefore, their capacity is limited to day-to-day management of rehearsals, and production. The Board of Directors bears ultimate responsibility concerning governance and policy practices. Any questions or concerns regarding all policies must be directed to the board of directors at info@cityyouthballet.com. Do not contact AAD.

Friday, September 20 by 11:00pm - Audition results will be posted on our website

• Go to CITYYOUTHBALLET.COM
• Scroll down on the main page until you see “CALLBOARD”
• Click on “CALLBOARD” to be taken to the page
• Confirm acceptance of your role(s) by completing the form on the Callboard page before 8am on Saturday, September 21. Any roles not “accepted” by this deadline will be immediately re-cast.

Some rehearsals will begin on Saturday, Sept. 21st - please check the callboard. 

• Casting is at the sole discretion of the professional guest adjudicators.
• Interference by dancers or parents will not be tolerated and will jeopardize your performance participation.
• A dancer's commitment and attitude in previous productions may influence casting.
• Many “Nutcracker” roles are repeated. This does not mean you have not progressed. Professional dancers re-perform a role many times.
• Dancers and parents must understand that hard work is the only route to success, but the additional factors such as costuming, ensemble aesthetics, and planned choreography may be taken into consideration.

It has always been the policy of City Youth Ballet to expect excellent attendance, appropriate attitude, and good behavior in rehearsals and performances. The following consistent expectation policies will allow dancers to maintain the high standards that have always been an integral part of CYB. The Board of Directors reserves the right to remove any dancer, for any reason, from any role or performance, in order to maintain the integrity of the production and other dancers. In such an instance, no money will be refunded.

• Adhere to all rehearsal & performance policies and scheduling commitments
• Pay Nutcracker fees
• Meet goals for volunteer hours
• Meet goals for fundraising efforts by posted deadline

 If you will not be available for all rehearsal and performance dates, please do not audition.

• Rehearsals will be held September 21 through December 4. Most rehearsals will be held on Saturdays or Sundays, with principal roles rehearsing Friday through Sunday. Beginning November 16th, rehearsals will be held at the theatre, and will be much more frequent. All cast members must be available for all rehearsals including the Saturday & Sunday after Thanksgiving (November 30, December 1), and all performance dates: December 4-8
• Rehearsal scheduling is up to the discretion of the artistic director, and attendance is MANDATORY at all scheduled rehearsals, costume fittings, and performances. Cast members who miss a rehearsal without prior explicit approval from the artistic director will be replaced that same day. We realize that emergencies are unavoidable. In the case of an emergency, please contact us immediately at this number: 980-439-3078
• Rehearsal Schedules are posted at least 48 hours in advance, normally much farther in advance. After it is posted, rehearsals may be added and/or changed. Check the online call board daily. Dancers are responsible for reading all material posted on The Nutcracker callboard.
• There is no extra time built into the rehearsal schedule, so missed rehearsals cannot be made up even if the dancer is ill. 
• Dancers are expected to be ready to dance when rehearsals begin. They should be dressed appropriately in ballet attire, including footed tights and shoes. Hair must be in a ballet bun. Any warm-up, review, preparation is the responsibility of the dancer. 
• \City Youth Ballet will provide all costumes, and they shall remain the property of City Youth Ballet. Scheduled costuming times shall be treated as importantly as rehearsals. You may NOT be absent or tardy from your scheduled costuming times. For costuming you should be dressed in tight fitting dance clothing or easily removable clothing for costuming. Hair should be in a ballet bun. 
• All rehearsals are held at Albemarle Academy of Dance unless otherwise noted. All rehearsals are considered “closed rehearsals,” meaning only participants (no parents) are allowed to be inside the rehearsal space.
• Rehearsal schedules will NOT be emailed. All rehearsals will be posted on our website: Go to CITYYOUTHBALLET.COM > Scroll down on the main page until you see “CALLBOARD” > Click on “CALLBOARD” to be taken to the page
• Parents/performers are responsible for checking the callboard DAILY. Make sure to refresh the page each time you check it. Failure to attend rehearsal because a parent forgets to check the schedule, or because the dancer does not have a ride, will still result in the dancer being replaced.
• Parents must have a Facebook page. Everyone needs this to be added to our private Facebook group. This is a way for us to easily communicate with you.

CYB will not keep dancers who behave inappropriately or that hinder to forward progression of the production. Dancers who continue to undermine the artistic integrity and safety of the production by exhibiting negative attitudes towards casting or rehearsals standards forfeit their roles and may be immediately dismissed from the production without any refunded money. A dancer may be dismissed from the production for violating any of the following:

• Have a positive attitude towards casting, artistic staff, volunteers, and fellow dancers.
• Be present, punctual, and prepared for rehearsals, costuming, and other events. Tardiness is NOT ACCEPTABLE, nor is leaving early. ON TIME means dressed, with shoes on, hair ready, and thoroughly warmed up. This generally means you should arrive at least 15 minutes prior to rehearsal
• Sign-in at every rehearsal
• Check the online callboard and briefings daily. Stay up-to-date on all schedules and requirements.
• Stay quiet and attentive in all rehearsals, and display a positive attitude and positive body language.
• Display a professional level work ethic.
• Do not give corrections to others. Giving corrections is the job of the artistic staff ONLY.
• Honor the dress code by wearing clean, well fitted ballet attire. Hair in a bun for females, and pulled away from the face for males. (Dead shoes are not an excuse to be off pointe in a rehearsal for an en pointe role).
• Take written notes during the ‘notes’ portion at the conclusion of every rehearsal.
• Be prepared for every rehearsal by remembering and rehearsing your parts and reviewing your written notes before rehearsals. Rehearsal time is extremely limited and choreography will not be reviewed from the previous rehearsal. It is the dancers responsibility to be know and be able to perform the previous choreography and be ready to move forward. Not doing so, will result in the dancer being dismissed or replaced. 
• Take extreme care of props and costumes. Not taking care of costumes or props will not be tolerated. The cost of damage to costumes or props will be paid by the dancer or parent immediately.
• Do not touch or move any prop or costume that does not belong to you.
• Respect the facilities. Clean up after your lunch, do not take food or drink in the studio or dressing rooms. Food is allowed ONLY in the lobby. Dancers may bring in bottled water to the studio with them. Dispose of all food trash in the outside trash cans.
• Be a good ambassador of City Youth Ballet in rehearsals, performances, and the community.
• Follow all CYB safety and backstage procedures at the Agri-Civic Center (to be reviewed before load-in).

In general, the cost of Nutcracker production is about $30,000. All performers are required to participate in a minimum level of fundraising that will be discussed in detail at the mandatory parent meeting. We do have an option to opt-out of fundraising for a flat fee.

One photographer and one videographer may be hired by City Youth Ballet to photograph and make a video of this production. Parents will not be allowed to video or photograph any rehearsals or performances. Photos and DVDs may be available for you to purchase. Parents/Performers may not create their own social media campaigns for the Nutcracker. We do encourange you to share ours. Strict copyright laws are in effect for this production and must be enforced.

City Youth Ballet is supported entirely by volunteers. The opportunity for your dancer to experience The Nutcracker ballet is only possible because of these great volunteers! Because volunteers are the key to a successful production, it is required that ALL Nutcracker participant families fill at least one volunteer position during the season. One person may be on multiple committees. Committee assignments will be discussed at the mandatory parent meeting.

Financial Assistance is based upon need and is designed to permit a limited number of qualified dancers to be a part of the Nutcracker. It is available through CYB Financial Assistance. A family with limited resources who feel they may qualify for aid should request an application and requirements prior to the audition date. At that time an independent committee will review all financial assistance requests and allocate funds. You will be notified of your amount. Please reach out to info@cityyouthballet.com.

All fees paid are non-refundable and non-transferable. 

Fees listed below are per performer - 

Audition fee: $40

Performance fee: $75

Additional costs: 

Performers will be asked to provide shoes, make-up, undergarments, and certain hair accessories by a designated date.