So many talented young dancers came to Radio City Music Hall to audition for the role of Clara (the main character in the “Nutcracker” number) in our Christmas Spectacular!
“This is my first time auditioning for the role of ‘Clara’ and I’m really excited,” says New Jersey native Delaney. “I really want this role because I’ve been coming to see the show every Christmas and it really inspired me to just come here and try it out.”
Starting with a very basic ballet combination, Julie Branam, director and choreographer of the Christmas Spectacular, looks to see how the 10- to 14-year-old dancers perform in their pointe shoes. “I do a pretty basic combination of échappés, passés and bourrées to see how they listen and get up on their pointe shoes and how strong their feet are,” says Julie.
From there, there are a round of cuts and then Julie has the Clara hopefuls do another short ballet combination—with piqué arabesques, jetés, bourrées and piqué turns—along with some acting.
“We do a little acting at the end to see if they can take direction and have that joy of dance and love of performing.”