Casting Call: New York City Ballet to Hold Auditions for 24 Local Children to Fill Summer Roles

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Area children are invited to audition to dance with New York City Ballet during its Saratoga season, July 9 – 13.

Auditions will be held 10 a.m. Sunday, March 10 at the SPAC School of the Arts (located behind the National Museum of Dance School), 99 South Broadway. Audition check-in on March 10 will commence at 9 a.m. and advance registration is required by Thursday, March 7. 

Auditions are for 24 childrens’ roles in scenes from George Balanchine’s Coppélia, which first premiered at SPAC in 1974. New York City Ballet Children’s Repertory Director Dena Abergel leads the auditions. 

“Bringing scenes from Coppélia back to SPAC, where it first premiered 50 years ago, is a special way to honor the legacy of our beloved New York City Ballet, while also giving local children an unforgettable opportunity to perform on our stage,” said Elizabeth Sobol, President & CEO of Saratoga Performing Arts Center, in a statement.  

Casting for Coppélia includes roles for 24 girls who are 9 to 13 years old between four feet, two inches and five feet, one inches tall. At least two years of ballet training is encouraged. Understudies will also be cast. 

Rehearsals for selected dancers will be held from June 30 to July 12 at the SPAC School of the Arts and at the SPAC amphitheater. 

Scenes from Coppélia will be featured as part of the Swan Lake & Stars and Stripes program on Friday, July 12 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, July 13 at 2 p.m., in addition to opening night’s NYCB On and Off Stage program on Tuesday, July 9 at 7:30 p.m. 

Visit spac.org for more details.