CYB auditions are open to any dancer enrolled in at least one classical ballet class at any local dance studio in the Charlotte area. We love contributing to Charlotte’s rich ballet tradition and actively encourage dancers from all area studios to join us. We have, on average, 22 local studios represented in our cast.

Membership in the CYB Company is not required to be cast in shows.

Yes. Dancers must be in 3rd grade in school through age 26.

No. Charlotte Youth Ballet is a performance organization for area ballet students to work alongside professional dancers. Student dancers still attend classes at their home studio while participating in CYB productions.

Auditions are held in-person, usually in mid-September on a Saturday at CPCC’s Halton Theatre. Dancers audition for Company membership, The Nutcracker, and our spring storybook ballet. Later in the fall, there is a call back for spring storybook casting, and dancers new to CYB are welcome to audition at this time. Audition information and required forms can be found on our auditions page. 

There is both a pointe audition and a non-pointe audition for dancers in 5th grade through age 26. Dancers must be 13 and have a minimum of 2 years on pointe to take the pointe audition. Dancers must demonstrate proficiency in the audition to be awarded a pointe part. Dancers cast in a pointe role that cannot maintain dancing on pointe during rehearsals will be reassessed. There are roles for non-pointe ballet dancers at any age.

Auditions:

• Girls should dress in a solid black or dark-colored leotard and pink tights for auditions.
• Boys should be in black legging or tights and a white shirt.

Rehearsals: 

• Girls should dress in a black spaghetti strap leotard, pink tights, and pink leather ballet flats with one elastic.
• Pointe dancers are always encouraged to have a backup pair of pointe shoes sewn and ready to wear.
• Dancers’ hair should be pulled back in a bun without wisps and with a hairnet.
• Boys should be in black legging or tights and a white shirt.

Rehearsals for The Nutcracker begin in late September and continue until the performance weekend (historically the first full weekend of December), with a break for Thanksgiving. Rehearsals for our spring storybook ballet begin in January and continue until performance weekend in early March.

Rehearsals will be Friday evening, Saturday afternoon (typically at or after 2 pm), and Sunday afternoon (typically after 12:00pm). Younger dancers generally have one rehearsal slot per weekend. Older dancers may have more than one role and thus require additional rehearsals on the weekend. Adults and professionals typically rehearse on Sundays.

Mandatory dress rehearsals are held the weekend before Thanksgiving, and on the Wednesday and Thursday evenings immediately preceding performance weekend (at the theater).

Rehearsals take place at our host studio, Charlotte School of Ballet (627 S Sharon Amity Rd.). Our performances are at the Halton Theatre at CPCC (1206 Elizabeth Ave).

Yes. Dancers miss one day of school to perform in our school show on the Friday of show weekend. We provide each dancer with a form to give to their school ahead of time for the absence.

If missing school will prevent your dancer from auditioning, please contact cyb@charlotteyouthballet.org.

Yes! Visit our School Preview Shows webpage or contact schoolshow@charlotteyouthballet.org to find out about securing tickets for your school.

Yes! We have many volunteer opportunities in our shows. We use adult performers in our production of The Nutcracker and spring storybook ballet. Parents, friends, and grandparents are welcome to join in our shows.