nutcracker 2026

CAST LIST

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

BACK TO TOP

CALENDAR

November

ALL-CAST REHEARSAL & CAST PICTURES
Saturday, 11/7 @ Danceworks
9:00 am-4:00 pm
See dancer/class call times listed below.

We are thrilled to hold our first ALL CAST Nutcracker Tea rehearsal! It will be an exciting and very FULL day! Please arrive on time, ready to work hard. All rehearsals are mandatory. Please keep reading for important details.

• There will be a brief (5-10min.) information meeting and Q&A in the lobby at the beginning of every rehearsal. If you would like more information or have questions about the Nutcracker Tea event, please plan to attend.

• All dancers should wear ballet class attire as we will be taking pictures for the program.

  • Levels A-C & 1-4: Black leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, optional ballet skirt.

  • 3 yr Creative Movement: Light pink leotard or dance dress, pink tights, pink ballet shoes.

  • 4 yr Creative Movement: Light purple leotard or dance dress, pink tights, pink ballet shoes.

  • Combo classes: Solid color leotard, pink footed tights, optional ballet skirt.

• Hair may be worn up or down for pictures. Please secure hair in a ponytail or bun for rehearsal.

• Male cast members should wear a black T-shirt, black pants or shorts (athletic shorts or joggers are just fine), and tennis shoes.

• Please bring quick-bite snacks and a water bottle. We will not have an official lunch break, so please plan accordingly.

• Parents may drop their dancers off at their scheduled rehearsal time, but should return no later than rehearsal end time, as rehearsals run on schedule and there will not be staff present to monitor dancers outside of rehearsal times.

Call Times:
(See the cast list above for class info.)

Clara, Prince, Rat King 9:00-11:00 am 

4 year old Rats (ALL Casts) 9:15-10:15 am

7-8 year old Rats & Soldiers (All Casts) 9:45-11:00 am

Angels (All Casts), Clara, Prince, Sugar Plum 11:00-12:00 pm

Mother Ginger (Cast A), All Act 2 Dancers** 12:00-12:45 pm

Mother Ginger (Cast B), All Act 2 Dancers** 12:45-1:30 pm

Mother Ginger (Cast C), All Act 2 Dancers** 1:30-2:15 pm

MSDC, Party Dads, Fritz (All Casts), Uncle Drosselmeyer, Clara’s Dad 2:15-4:00 pm

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

December

ALL-CAST REHEARSAL
Saturday, 12/5 @ Danceworks
9:00 am-4:00 pm
Call times are the same as the November rehearsal above.

DRESS REHEARSALS @ Chautauqua Auditorium
See dancer/class call times listed below

Wednesday, December 9, 2026
4 yr and 7-8 yr Rats/ Soldiers(ALL Casts), Clara, Rat King, Sugar Plum, Prince 5:00-6:30

Angels (ALL Casts), Clara, Rat King, Sugar Plum, Prince 6:30-7:30

Final Scene: Clara, Sugar Plum, Prince, Drosselmeyer 7:30-8:00

Thursday, December 10, 2026
CAST A: Mother Ginger. Act 2 Dancers** 5:00-6:00 pm

CAST B: Mother Ginger, Act 2 Dancers** 5:45-7:00 pm

CAST C: Mother Ginger, Act 2 Dancers** 6:45-8:00 pm

**ACT 2 DANCERS: Flowers, Marzipan, Snow, Russian, Chinese. Spanish, Arabian

Friday, December 11, 2026
Company Pre-Show Members 5:00-6:30 pm

Party Dads & Act 1 Dancers* 6:30-8:00 pm

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

PERFORMANCES @ Chautauqua Auditorium
Saturday, December 12, 2026 - 1pm & 4pm
Sunday, December 13, 2026 - 4pm

Call times are tbd

BACK TO TOP

COSTUMES

To help keep costs affordable for our dance families, we reuse costumes from previous Nutcracker productions. Danceworks staff will transport all costumes to the performance venue. 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) must wear a thin-strapped, nude-colored leotard under their costumes. You can order one on Nimbly by clicking here or purchase a similar one at another retailer.

Don't forget to bring your ballet/pointe shoes!

Male Cast Members:
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.

Pre-show Male Cast will provide their own white undershirt, black/dark-colored slacks, black/dark-colored belt, and black/dark-colored dress shoes or boots.

All costumes must be returned immediately following photos after your dancer’s performance. Costumes may not leave the venue. A $50 fee will be charged for any costume that is not returned on time. Thank you for helping us care for and preserve these costumes for future productions!

BACK TO TOP

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 for females 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 female performers must have hair in a bun. A ballet bun should be placed on the middle or low part of the back of the head. Click the buttons below to see tutorial videos for making a perfect ballet bun! The goal is a bun that resembles a cinnamon roll (not a doorknob or a donut).

Note: The detailed tutorial specifies creating a middle part. Our dancers are welcome to do a middle part or no part (comb the hair straight back).

Please contact the studio with any questions!

BACK TO TOP

 PRACTICE VIDEOS

Starting in November, instructors will submit class videos so students can practice their dances at home. Click the button below to access the videos folder. Check back often, as instructors will add videos on an ongoing basis. 

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

BACK TO TOP

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.

BACK TO TOP

PURCHASE TICKETS & ADD-ONS

Priority Access for performers starts November 2nd.
On sale to the general public starting November 13th.

Every family with a dancer performing in the Nutcracker will receive an email containing a unique Family Code. You will need this code to access the ticketing site and purchase tickets during the priority access period.

Families who are volunteering or qualify for discounted tickets will also receive a unique Family Code via email. Use this code to access the ticketing site, and any eligible discounts will be automatically applied at checkout.

Check your inbox for an email from no-reply@drttix.com to find your code. Codes will be sent out in the few days leading up to November 2.

▬

SHOWTIMES
Saturday, December 12, 2026 - 1pm & 4pm
Sunday, December 13, 2026 - 4pm

LOCATION
Chautauqua Auditorium
400 S. Grand Street
Waxahachie, TX 75165

TICKET PRICES
$20 General Admission
$35 VIP Seats (front & center section)
Free admission for lap children (age 2 and under)

▬

NEW THIS YEAR! Ticket Add-Ons

Add-ons for your family or group are available to purchase along with your tickets. They can be purchased in the Merchandise section on the ticketing site. We offer two types of group passes:

▬

WHEN & WHERE TO BUY

Priority access ticket sales open on November 2nd at 11:00 AM for all families of performers. General Public ticket sales open on November 13th at 11:00 AM.

Click the button below to purchase tickets!

BACK TO TOP

 FLOWERS

Order by December 10th.

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 12/10.

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

BACK TO TOP

PURCHASE T-SHIRTS & ORNAMENTS

BACK TO TOP

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.

BACK TO TOP