Gainesville dancers and families should mark their calendars: Dance Alive National Ballet will hold open auditions on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, at its Pofahl Studios for the company’s 61st season.
The auditions will determine casting for the professional company, the youth ensemble Next Generation and supporting roles in the organization’s annual production of The Nutcracker, scheduled for December.
“The auditions will be for spots in DANB’s main company, its youth program/ensemble Next Generation, and supporting roles in the organization’s annual production of ‘The Nutcracker,’”
Who should attend and where
Auditions are open to a wide range of ages and skill levels. Younger dancers with some ballet experience can try out for roles such as Soldiers, Party Children, Franz’s Friends and Mice in The Nutcracker. Older and more experienced students may be considered for Next Generation or placement on the main company roster.
Location: Pofahl Studios, 1325 NW 2nd St., Gainesville. For questions, call 352-371-2986 or email kim@dancealive.org.
Audition schedule and requirements
A $25 entry fee is required at the time of audition; checks should be made payable to Dance Alive National Ballet.
| Time | Age or requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 12:30–1:15 p.m. | ages 7–8 | Young dancers for Nutcracker children’s roles |
| 1:30–2:15 p.m. | ages 9–10 | Young dancers for Nutcracker children’s roles |
| 2:15–3:15 p.m. | ages 11–13 | Young dancers for Nutcracker children’s roles |
| 3:30–4:15 p.m. | ages 11–14 | Ballet dancers must be 2nd-year pointe as of Aug. 2025 |
| 4:30–5:15 p.m. | ages 12–17 | Ballet dancers must be 3rd-year pointe as of Aug. 2025 |
| 5:30–6:00 p.m. | tumblers ages 7–18 | Must perform back handsprings, walkovers and aerial tricks |
What this means for Gainesville
Dance Alive National Ballet began as a local ensemble in 1966 and has grown into a professional nonprofit with national touring reach. The auditions reinforce Gainesville’s role as a center for dance education and performance and provide a direct pathway for local students to join a company with professional opportunities and touring experience.
For parents and teachers, the audition day is a chance to evaluate local training against company standards. For community arts supporters, the resulting casts will shape the company’s season and the city’s cultural calendar, particularly the annual performances of The Nutcracker.
Those planning to audition should arrive prepared for the appropriate time slot, bring the $25 fee, and follow any additional instructions provided by Dance Alive National Ballet. More information is available by phone at 352-371-2986 or by email at kim@dancealive.org.
- Date: Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026
- Fee: $25 at audition (checks to Dance Alive National Ballet)
- Address: Pofahl Studios, 1325 NW 2nd St., Gainesville
