Primary Ballet & Heber Valley Ballet Present: The Nutcracker
We are so excited to announce details for our upcoming full-length Nutcracker production, including audition information!
The Nutcracker is different from our spring ballet production in that it is an optional add-on opportunity for dancers in 1st grade and up. Participation includes an audition, additional rehearsals outside of regular class time, and a rehearsal/performance fee. Nutcracker participation is designed to complement, rather than replace, students’ regular ballet classes. Ballet dancers from throughout the community are welcome to audition and do not need to be enrolled at Primary Ballet to perform in The Nutcracker.
(For our spring production of Cinderella, all Primary Ballet students, including those under age 6, will have the opportunity to participate. Cinderella rehearsals will be incorporated into students’ regular class time, so there are no auditions or additional rehearsals for Cinderella.)
We have already been working hard to bring this Nutcracker production to life, from developing roles and choreography to designing beautiful costumes and scenery. We are thrilled to perform in the gorgeous, brand-new theater at Deer Creek High School, with two performances on Saturday, December 12th.
Nutcracker Auditions - Date: Friday, September 11th
Dancers will audition in age groups according to the schedule below:
3:30–4:15 PM: 8th grade and up (if not currently a Heber Valley Ballet Company member) Please bring pointe shoes if you have them, but pointe shoes are not required.
4:00–5:00 PM: 1st and 2nd graders
4:45–5:45 PM: 3rd and 4th graders
5:30–6:30 PM: 5th and 6th graders Some 6th graders may be asked to stay until 7:15 PM.
6:15–7:15 PM: 7th graders
Time Commitment
Depending on casting, dancers will rehearse either Friday afternoons after school or Saturdays. Rehearsals will be approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the role. Specific rehearsal times will be announced when casting is released.
We expect to have casting decisions available by Friday, September 18th.
Choreography rehearsals will take place on the following weekends:
September 25–26
October 2–3
October 23–24
November 6–7
November 13–14
Performers may miss one choreography rehearsal, but we strongly encourage dancers to attend all scheduled rehearsals whenever possible.
Mandatory Rehearsals & Performances
The following rehearsals are mandatory for all cast members. Specific rehearsal times will be announced closer to each date and will vary depending on casting. We will do our best to keep rehearsal blocks as short as possible, especially for younger performers.
Saturday, November 21st morning/midday
Tuesday, December 1st late afternoon/evening
Friday, December 4th late afternoon/evening
Saturday, December 5th morning/midday
Tuesday, December 8th late afternoon/evening
Friday, December 11th Staging rehearsal, late afternoon/evening
Saturday, December 12th Performances at 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM Call times will be 1 to 2 hours before each performance, depending on role.
Performance & Rehearsal Fees
Fees will range from $140–$180, depending on age and casting. These fees help cover the costs of rehearsal time, costumes, scenery, venue rental, and other production expenses.
All proceeds from Nutcracker ticket sales and other production-related revenue go toward supporting our nonprofit youth ballet company, Heber Valley Ballet. Your participation helps us provide meaningful performance opportunities and quality ballet experiences for young dancers in our community.
Audition Form
If you would like your dancer(s) to participate in The Nutcracker, please complete the audition form below and bring your dancer(s) to Primary Ballet studios at the appropriate audition time on Friday, September 11th. Submitting the form lets us know that your dancer will audition and is available to participate in the production. Audition Form: https://forms.gle/hLtXU3RzKA9YVXKG9
If you have any questions, please reach out to info@primaryballet.com.
We are so excited to bring this beloved holiday tradition to life and create a beautiful Nutcracker experience for our dancers, families, and community. We can’t wait to get started!
Flexible options: sign up for the weeks that work for you.
For ages 3-6: fun fairytale ballet camps!
Beginning through Advanced technique classes for rising 2nd graders and up.
Summer Intensives: special programs in August featuring guest faculty and a diverse range of classes—including contemporary, partnering, character, and lots of ballet.
Cross-training support: coordinated schedule with The Block for dancers exploring other styles.
Need help choosing a class? Email info@primaryballet.com
We are thrilled to announce that we will be presenting a full-length Nutcracker this upcoming Christmas 2026!🎄🩰
The beloved classic means so much to ballet dancers in training, and we are excited to begin bringing our own version of this beautiful holiday tradition to life. We look forward to helping students shine in the magic of The Nutcracker.❤️
We are thrilled to announce that the 2026–2027 season will mark the inaugural year of our performing company, Heber Valley Ballet. This nonprofit youth company is being created to provide a higher level of training, more performance experiences, and greater artistic development, while enriching the broader community.
Additional performance opportunities, including consideration for principal & solo roles in story ballets such as The Nutcracker (which we will present as a full-stage production starting this year) and our spring production.
Rehearsals outside of regular class time that build discipline, consistency and professional work habits.
Opportunities to work with guest choreographers.
Performances at community events and a Repertory show in late winter.
A goal-setting program including regular one-on-one meetings with directors.
Optional ensemble participation at ballet competitions for Senior Company members.
Exposure to a wider range of repertoire, including contemporary ballet.
Mentorship for students considering dance beyond high school, offering insight into collegiate and professional pathways.
We plan to offer both Senior and Junior Company options, based on skill level and each dancer’s availability and commitment. Participation will include weekly rehearsals in addition to regular classes. To be eligible to audition, students must be at least 12 years old and currently training en pointe.
While details are still being considered and finalized, dancers can expect approximately 10 hours of class per week (including pointe and contemporary), along with an additional:
3–4 hours of rehearsal time for the Junior (Ensemble) Company
4–6 hours of rehearsal time for the Senior Company
Please note that production weeks (3x/year) will require additional rehearsal time. Current plans include rehearsals on Tuesday evenings and Friday afternoons/early evenings, with occasional Saturday rehearsals (about once a month– for setting ballets, guest choreographers, and full cast rehearsals).
We are so excited to offer these opportunities to dancers! A parent meeting is scheduled for Saturday, April 25th at 1:00 PM where we will go over more details and answer questions. Auditions will be held on Wednesday, May 27th 3:15-5:00PM.
2026-2027 Accelerated Track Auditions Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Accelerated Track is for students who want to commit to more than once a week classes (dependent on age and skill level– below is a sample schedule of the time commitment for each group for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year)
Ages 7-8 1 hour class twice a week
Ages 8-9 1.25 hour class twice a week
Ages 9-10 1.5 hour class twice a week
Ages 11-12 1.5 hour class two times a week, plus 1 hour pre-pointe and 30 minutes conditioning
Ages 12-14 1.5 hour class three times a week, plus 1 hour pointe and 45 minutes conditioning
Ages 14 and up 1.5 hour class four times a week, plus 1 hour pointe and 45 minutes conditioning
Accelerated Track classes are for ages 7 and up and are by audition or teacher placement only. Auditions will take place each May for the upcoming school year. Accelerated Track auditions will take place Wednesday, May 27, 2026 and is for students ages 7 (by September 2026) and up. Please register for the audition by filling out this form: https://forms.gle/kL8bnufFVPTqrEE97. The audition is free of charge.
The audition schedule will be as follows:
3:15-4:15pm: Ages 12 and up (by September 2026) technique assessment.
5:15-6:15pm: Ages 7-11 (by September 2026) technique assessment.
2025-2026 Accelerated Track Auditions Thursday, May 22, 2025
Accelerated Track is for students who want to commit to more than once a week classes (dependent on age and skill level– below is a sample schedule of the time commitment for each group for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year)
Ages 7-8 1 hour class twice a week
Ages 8-9 1.25 hour class twice a week
Ages 9-10 1.5 hour class twice a week
Ages 11-12 1.5 hour class two times a week, plus 1 hour pre-pointe
Ages 12-14 1.5 hour class three times a week, plus 1 hour pointe and 1 hour conditioning
Ages 14 and up 1.5 hour class four times a week, plus 1 hour pointe and 1 hour conditioning
Accelerated Track classes are for ages 7 and up and are by audition or teacher placement only. Auditions will take place each May for the upcoming school year. Our first Accelerated Track audition will take place Thursday, May 22, 2025 and is for students ages 7 (by September 2025) and up. Please register for the audition by filling out this form: https://forms.gle/ZTEk53G3XUs1HPfQ8. The audition is free of charge.
The audition schedule will be as follows:
3-4:30pm: Ages 12 and up (by September 2025) technique assessment, and pointe assessment for those with pointe shoes.
4:30-6pm: Ages 7-11 (by September 2025) technique assessment.
Beginning Fall 2025 we will offer Recreational Ballet Classes. These classes are aimed at students who are interested in benefits of good ballet training: poise, flexibility, coordination, focus and confidence, but who prefer to take class only once per week. Wonderful cross-training for Musical Theater performers! Rec classes are divided by age group; 7-9 years, 10-12 years, and 13+. No audition or teacher placement is required. Fall 2025 Schedule and Registration will be available mid-June. To keep up with registration date announcements, add yourself to our email list here.
primaryballet.com
Good classwork and story ballets are our focus at Primary Ballet, but a few students wanted to participate in ballet competitions this past school year. See below for results.
YAGP Denver Sophia Clawson earned 3rd Place Contemporary Sophia and Elle Clawson were invited to participate in YAGP National Finals in Tampa, FL as well as the 2025 Gala de Danza in London. Elle Clawson was offered a summer scholarship to the Harid Conservatory.
Sophia Clawson
Elle Clawson
Sophia Clawson
Sophia & Elle Clawson
YAGP Salt Lake City Olive Mortensen earned Top 12 in Classical Olive Mortensen earned Top 12 in Contemporary Stella Johnson earned Top 24 Performer Olive Mortensen received a summer scholarship to Colorado Ballet Academy Kit Mahoney received a summer scholarship to Colorado Ballet Academy
Olive Mortensen
Stella Johnson
Kit Mahoney
Liv Malan
Adalynn Ryszka
YAGP
ADC IBC Phoenix Elle and Sophia Clawson earned 2nd place in the Duo/Trio category and were invited to participate in the 20th Anniversary Final in St. Petersburg, FL.
Sophie Clawson
Elle Clawson
Sophia & Elle Clawson
UBC Salt Lake City Olive Mortensen earned 1st place in Classical and 2nd place in Contemporary Kit Mahoney earned 1st place in Classical and 4th place in Contemporary Stella Johnson earned 1st place in Contemporary Elle Clawson earned 5th place in Contemporary and Top 12 in Classical Sophia Clawson earned 4th place in Contemporary
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