nutcracker 2025

CAST LIST

Click on the showtime below to see the corresponding cast list.

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CALENDAR

December

ALL-CAST REHEARSAL
Saturday, 12/6 @ Danceworks
(See call times below)

Dancers should wear dance class attire and have their hair pulled back and secured away from the face in a bun, clip, or ponytail. Male cast members should wear athletic shorts/pants, a t-shirt, and tennis shoes.

• Please bring quick bite snacks & a water bottle. We will not be breaking for an official lunchtime, so please plan accordingly.

• Parents may drop their dancers off at their scheduled rehearsal time, but we will not have enough staff present to watch dancers outside of their rehearsal time. Parents and dancers are welcome to stay before/after their rehearsal times and observe rehearsals from the viewing windows together.

Call Times:

Angels (ALL Casts), Clara, Prince, Sugar Plum 9:00-10:00 am

Rats (ALL Casts), Soldiers, Clara, Prince, Sugar Plum, Rat King 10:00-11:00 am

CAST A- Mother Ginger, Bakers, Act 2 Dancers**, Sugar Plum, Clara, Prince 11:00-12:00 pm

CAST B- Mother Ginger, Bakers, Act 2 Dancers**, Sugar Plum, Clara, Prince 12:00-1:00 pm

CAST C- Mother Ginger, Bakers, Act 2 Dancers**, Sugar Plum, Clara, Prince 1:00-2:00 pm

Company, Act 1 Dancers*/ Party Scene/ Male Performers 2:00-4:00 pm

*ACT 1 Dancers: Movers & Shakers Company, Party Scene, All Male Performers

**ACT 2 Dancers: Flowers, Marzipan, Snow, Russian, Chinese, Spanish, Arabian, & Queens

DRESS REHEARSALS
Thursday 12/11 @ Chautauqua Auditorium
Friday 12/12 @ Chautauqua Auditorium
(See which dress rehearsal to attend and call times below)

Dancers: Arrive at the dress rehearsal at the Chautauqua Auditorium already dressed in nude spaghetti-strap leotards and pink tights, with makeup and hair already done. Hair should be secured in a bun. (See bun tutorial and makeup tips below for help.) Don’t forget to bring your ballet shoes!

Party Men: Arrive in a white long-sleeve button-down shirt, dark pants, dark dress shoes, and a belt. Other costume pieces will be given to you upon arrival.

• All other costumes and costume pieces will be provided at the Chautauqua. (See the costume page below for more details!)

• Healthy, quick snacks & water bottles are a good idea for dress rehearsal.

• Parents may drop their dancers off at their scheduled rehearsal time, but we will not have enough staff present to watch dancers outside of their rehearsal time.

• Parents may stay and watch the rehearsal.

  Thursday 12/11 Call Times:

  Rats (ALL Casts) | Clara | Prince | Rat King | Sugar Plum 5:00-6:00

  Angels (ALL Casts) | Clara | Prince | Rat King | Sugar Plum 6:00-7:00

  Pre Show: Movers and Shakers Dance Company 7:00-9:00

  Friday 12/12 Call Times:

  Cast A: Mother Ginger & Bakers | ALL Act 2 Dancers** 5:00-6:00

  Cast B: Mother Ginger & Bakers | ALL Act 2 Dancers** 6:00-7:00

  Cast C: Mother Ginger & Bakers | ALL Act 2 Dancers** | Sugar Plum | Clara | Nutcracker Prince 7:00-8:00

  ALL Act 1 Dancers* | Nutcracker Prince | Rat King | Party Dads | Movers & Shakers Dance Company 8:00-9:30

  *ACT 1 Dancers: Movers & Shakers Company, Party Scene, All Male Performers

  **ACT 2 Dancers: Flowers, Marzipan, Snow, Russian, Chinese, Spanish, Arabian, & Queens

  NUTCRACKER PERFORMANCES
  Saturday, 12/13 @ Chautauqua Auditorium
  10:00 am, 1:00 pm, & 4:00 pm

Call Times:
9:30 am (10 am show)
12:30 pm (1:00 pm show)
3:30 pm (4:00 pm show)
*Movers & Shaker Dance Company & Soloists 9:00 am

*See the Cast List at the top to see what show(s) your dancer will perform in.

CHECK-IN / CHECK-OUT PROCESS:

PreK Creative Movement, Combo Classes:

• Please bring your dancer at their call time already dressed in a tan leotard, pink tights, ballet shoes, hair in a bun, and makeup already done.

• One adult/caregiver should arrive at the check-in table for a dressing room/tent assignment. You’ll be given a wristband with your dancer’s name on it. Be sure to keep the wristband for check-out. No dancer will be released without a wristband. A picture of the wristband will work for check-out.

• Following the show, one adult/caregiver should return to your dancer’s dressing room/tent, where you may check them out for pictures in their costumes. You will be asked to present your wristband. Please return promptly to the dressing room/tent to drop off the costume and complete dancer check-out. DO NOT leave with their costume; another dancer will be wearing it in the next show.

Levels A, B, C:

• Please bring your dancer at their call time already dressed in a tan leotard, pink tights, ballet shoes, hair in a bun, and makeup already done.

• One adult/caregiver should arrive at the check-in table for a dressing room/tent assignment. You’ll be given a wristband with your dancer’s name on it. Be sure to keep the wristband for check-out. No dancer will be released without a wristband. A picture of the wristband will work for check-out.

• Following the show, one adult/caregiver should return to your dancer’s dressing room/tent, where you may check them out for pictures in their costumes. You will be asked to present your wristband. Please return promptly to the dressing room/tent to drop off the costume and complete dancer check-out.

• Dancers are not allowed to leave in between shows. They will be supervised by Danceworks staff at all times.

• Send a sack lunch with your dancer, including a water bottle (labeled with their name) and a snack.

• All costumes must be returned. A $50 costume fee will be charged for any costume that is not returned or found in good condition.

Beg. Ballet, Levels 1-4, and Movers & Shakers Dance Company:
Dancers in these levels will sign themselves in and out in their dressing rooms.

• Arrive with hair and makeup done.

• Send a sack lunch with your dancer, including a water bottle (labeled with their name) and a snack.

• Dancers are not allowed to leave in between shows.

• All costumes must be returned. A $50 costume fee will be charged for any costume that is not returned or found in good condition.

Party Dads:
Arrive at your call time in a white long-sleeve button-down shirt, dark pants, dark dress shoes, and a belt. Please check in with Ms. Julie on the stage for other costume pieces and further instructions.

• Send a sack lunch with your performer, including a water bottle (labeled with their name) and a snack.

• Performers are not allowed to leave in between shows.

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COSTUMES

We will be utilizing the previous years’ Nutcracker costumes to keep costs down for our dance families. Costumes will be brought to the performance venue by Danceworks Staff. Dancers should arrive at the dress rehearsal and the day of the show already wearing a nude leotard, tights, and any undergarments they need. **Underwear should NOT be worn under tights; tights serve as underwear

All performers (except male cast members) are required to have a thin strapped, nude-colored leotard to wear underneath their costumes. You can order one on Nimbly by clicking here or purchase a similar one at another retailer.

Don't forget your ballet/pointe shoes!

Male Cast Members:
Party Boys/Soldiers will provide their own black/dark-colored dress shoes or boots and knee-high, thin white socks.
Party Men will provide their own white, long-sleeved button-down shirt, black/dark-colored slacks, black/dark-colored belt, and black/dark-colored dress shoes or boots.

All costumes must be returned immediately following pictures after your dancer’s show. Costumes must not leave the venue. There is a costume fee of $50 for any costume not returned on time.

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HAIR & MAKEUP

It is important that dancers have the correct hair and make up that corresponds with their role in the production. Please make sure that hair and makeup are done BEFORE coming to the venue as dressing room space is limited.

Makeup

Makeup is a must for all dance performances. Stage lights tend to wash out facial features, but makeup helps to mitigate that effect. Basic makeup requirements are:

• neutral color eye shadow (shades of brown)

• cheek color

• lip color

• black mascara (optional for younger students)

• black eyeliner (optional for younger students)

Hair

All performers must have hair in a bun. Bun placement should be on the middle or low part of the back of the head. Click the button below to see a tutorial video for making a perfect ballet bun! Hint: Your bun should resemble a cinnamon roll; it should not look like a doorknob or a donut.

Please contact the studio with any questions!

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 PRACTICE VIDEOS

Instructors will be submitting class videos so that students may practice their dances at home. Click the button below to access the videos folder. Check back often as instructors will be adding videos on an ongoing basis. 

Dancers in Levels A-4 who are absent from class are expected to watch the video and learn the choreography they miss. It is vital that your dancer(s) attend class regularly in preparation for the performance. Thank you for helping us to ensure your dancer is confident onstage!

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PHOTO & VIDEO

A video of the show will be provided to performers and their families at no additional cost. A photographer will be taking photos of the dancers behind the scenes as well as onstage during the performance. These photos will be available for a small download fee following the event.

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PURCHASE TICKETS

Priority Access starts November 3rd.
On sale to general public starting November 14th.

Saturday, December 13, 2025
10am, 1pm, & 4pm
Chautauqua Auditorium
400 S. Grand Street
Waxahachie, TX 75165

$20 General Admission
(children age 2 and under are free admission)

$35 VIP Tickets
(front and center section)

Early access ticket sales open on November 3rd at 11:00 AM for families of performers. General Public ticket sales open on November 14th at 11:00 AM.

Click the button below to purchase tickets!

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 FLOWERS

Order by December 11th.

You can pre-order flowers for your dancer for The Nutcracker Tea! These flower bouquets will be ready and waiting for you at the venue on the day of the performance, so it’s one less thing you will have to worry about that day. Just click the button below to order! Orders close on 12/11.

There will be flowers for sale at the venue on the day of the performance, but for guaranteed flowers, please pre-order at the link below.

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PURCHASE T-SHIRTS

Every performer will receive a short-sleeve t-shirt, but you may order additional t-shirts using the form below.

This year’s t-shirts have the 2025 Danceworks Nutcracker Tea logo printed on a soft, purple Bella+Canvas shirt. We have both short and long sleeve options! Order deadline is 11:59pm on November 16.

Click the button below to order!

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SPONSORSHIP

Interested in becoming a sponsor for the Nutcracker Tea? Sponsorship perks include advertising, complimentary tickets, and more! Click the button below to learn more and register.

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