Located in the heart of the Santa Fe Arts District near downtown Denver, the Colorado Ballet is surrounded by funky galleries, local coffee shops and all types of art makers. You'll see budding ballerinas in the tiniest of tutues cross paths with company members in full costume rehearsing for the next production. Classical music pours down the hallways as students train, the voices of the instructors floating on top. Inside these walls, the love of ballet and the art form of dance flourishes, careers are started and dreams are realized.
Inside Colorado Ballet Academy’s eight state-of-the-art studios, students train alongside the professional Company with faculty who have lived highly successful careers with renowned companies such as American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, The Bolshoi Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, The National Ballet of Canada and Colorado Ballet.
Performance opportunities are a priority for all Colorado Ballet Academy students. Level 1 through Pre-Professional Division have the unique opportunity to perform a full-length classical production at the beautiful Ellie Caulkins Opera House each May. Productions have included Swan Lake, Giselle, and Coppelia. One of the few ballet schools in the country to offer this type of opportunity, CBA is thrilled to provide this opportunity for students to learn and perform core repertoire.
“Colorado Ballet Academy is a welcoming and a very supportive studio. CBA has given me amazing opportunities
such as performances like The Nutcracker and The Wizard of Oz. The experience that I have had performing in them were awesome, the ballet masters, directors, and choreographers were always
helpful with choreography, counts, partnering. I am grateful for all these opportunities and many more to come!"
- Kevin Gaytan, Level 4 Student
Students in Levels 2 and up have the opportunity to audition for Colorado Ballet company productions such as The Nutcracker, The Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan, and Sleeping Beauty. Artistic Director Gil Boggs plans at least two full length ballets each season that include roles for CBA students. Students audition for the artistic leaders of the Company and are always thrilled to see Gil when he attends class and rehearsals! Dancing with the Company gives students a chance to see the caliber of dancing that they are striving for up-close-and-personal and bring that back into the classroom with fresh inspiration and perspective.
"It is incredible to get to perform in productions
like The Wizard of Oz and Nutcracker with the company! This really inspires me and makes me want to work hard when I am on the same stage as the company members. It is fun
to perform in so many shows with some of my best friends on one of the biggest stages in Denver. I get to wear amazing costumes and dance with so many amazing people!"
- Savannah Kovar, Level 4 Student
Advanced levels participate in an additional classical production during Fall Feature and perform regularly in Colorado Ballet’s Black Box Theater during Saturday Soirees and First Friday Art Walks. Students from CBA Children’s Division are showcased each May along with Jazz, Modern, and Tap students to show off their skills during the year-end performance in Colorado Ballet’s Black Box Theater.
“Dancing in a professional production is such a special experience because we get to watch the company to try to copy the beautiful aspects
of their technique. Watching the principals rehearse Sugarplum and Cavalier always inspires me to work on the details on my technique. Watching the Spanish dance even motivates me to add
artistry to my dancing. I cannot wait to perform again soon!"
- Catalina Long, Pre-Professional Division 1
The experience of a CBA student is grounded in strong work ethic, the desire to learn and explore and celebrate this beautiful art form that had been around for hundreds of years. Each CBA student is stepping onto the floor alongside the thousands that have danced in their place before them. Being a part of Colorado Ballet Academy is truly an extraordinary experience and one that will prepare students for life inside and outside the studio.
CBA enrolled students in Level 2 through Pre-Professional who meet specific height requirements have the phenomenal opportunity of dancing alongside Colorado Ballet Company members in their seasonal professional productions. Students who are cast in these productions become inspired to work harder in the classroom and elevate their own skill sets.
By audition only, students cast in these magnificent productions will experience first-hand the rehearsal process of a professional dancer, work directly with the artistic leaderss of the Company, train under the high caliber work ethic of skilled artists and have the honor of performing at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House with a live orchestra. Students chosen to perform in Company productions will be required to attend Company rehearsals as specified.
If your student loves to perform and has a theatrical spirit, there is no better adventure than training, rehearsing and performing alongside the elite athletes of Colorado Ballet.
Presented by PNC Bank | Performed at the Ellie
Caulkins Opera House with live music featuring the Colorado Ballet Orchestra
The beloved holiday favorite returns in a dazzling production like no one's ever seen, featuring all new sets and costumes created especially for Colorado Ballet. A
sellout every year, this magical tale of Clara, the Nutcracker and the Mouse King is going to be dreamier than ever.
Audition Date
Sunday, September 11, 2022
Audition Fee
$30
If auditioning for multiple roles, students will only pay the fee once.
Students Level 2+, who are 8 years old as of September 1, 2022 and who meet certain height and age requirements are eligible to audition for The Nutcracker. Rehearsals will happen mostly on Saturdays and start in late September or early October depending on the role.
If you are cast in The Nutcracker, you must adhere to the following:
Due to the availability of costumes for the available roles in Colorado Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker, there are exact height and level
requirements. We are unable to make exceptions.
Sugarplum Attendants and Angels 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Party Scene 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Polichinelles (Mother Ginger Children) 2:30pm – 3:30pm
Soldiers and Cavalry 3:30pm – 4:30pm
Mother Ginger Legs 4:30pm – 5:00pm