Archive: Auditions, Jobs, and Open Calls

Minnesota Ballet Theatre and School invites adults and professional dancers to audition for our Nutcracker production. This is an opportunity to join a magical holiday performance, with roles for dancers at various levels—from beginner/intermediate to advanced.

Who should audition:

• Adult Dancers: 18+ with some ballet experience (for ensemble roles such as “Adult Party Scene,” “Snow,” or “Flowers”)
• Professional/Advanced Dancers: Strong classical technique for solo or featured roles

What we are looking for:

• Ensemble Roles for “Snow,” “Flowers,” and “Party Scene”: Dancers should have basic ballet skills; pointe shoes are required for “Snow” and “Flowers”
• Solo/Featured Roles: Strong classical technique, artistry, and stage presence; musicality, performance quality, and ability to learn choreography quickly; select soloists may receive compensation

Audition details: Saturday, July 18 at 12:00pm — about 1 hour duration
Location: Minnesota Ballet School
Audition Fee: Free
Performance Dates: December 11-13 at Eden Prairie High School Performing Arts Center
Rehearsals may take place during evenings or weekends, depending on assigned roles.

Bring ballet attire (leotard, tights, ballet shoes; pointe shoes if applicable), and a resume and headshot if available.
Expectations vary as roles have different requirements; placement depends on experience, skill, and suitability.
We welcome dancers of all levels! Everyone who auditions will be offered a role suited to their abilities.

The Toni Pierce-Sands Choreographic Initiative honors the vision and legacy of TU Dance’s late Founder and Artistic Director, Toni Pierce-Sands, by nurturing the next generation of choreographic voices. Designed for emerging to mid‑career artists, the initiative supports choreographers interested in experimentation, research, and the creation of new 10-15 minute ensemble works for the full CULTIVATE, A Trainee Program (between 6-10 dancers), or for TU Dance Company projects.

The choreographer selected for the 2026-27 Season will be creating for CULTIVATE, A Trainee Program in the November/December 2026 schedule. 

Selected choreographer(s) receive a comprehensive package of artistic and logistical support, including:

• Rehearsal space and dancers to work with
• A $3,500 artist stipend
• Travel and housing support for out-of-town artists
• A $2,000 budget for costumes and scenic elements
• Archival documentation of the completed work
• An opportunity to showcase their work within a professional dance company

Application process: Applicants must complete a digital application form (here) that includes contact information, demographic details, and the following materials:

• Artist statement (500 words max)
• Resumé (1-2 pages; file upload)
• Project description for the proposed new commission (500 words max)
• Up to three choreographic work samples (3-5 minutes) that best represent their choreographic voice
• Application Deadline: July 30

Ineligible applicants: Current staff, board members, their relatives, and anyone who has previously received this commission.

Next steps: Applications will be reviewed by a panel consisting of artists from TU Dance and/or the field. 2-3 finalists will participate in an in-person or video conference interview with TU Dance leadership and panelists during the first week of August. The awardee will be notified by mid-August. The creation process will take place in mid‑November, with performances scheduled for early December (CULTIVATE Winter Showcase) or during March/April, with performances scheduled for the end of April (Spring Company Project Performances).

2026-27 Timeline:
July 30: Application Deadline
August 1-20: Panel discussions and interviews with finalists
August 21: Selection notification
November 16-25: Rehearsals
November 30-December 6: Tech week with performances December 4-6

Rooted in Toni’s lifelong commitment to mentorship, generosity, and community-centered creation, this initiative ensures that her spirit continues to guide and uplift artists as they shape the future of the field. For questions, please contact TU Dance Administrative Associate Yolanda Pauly at yolanda.pauly@tudance.org or (651) 724-9708.

This initiative has been created by Laurel Keen and Abdo Sayegh Rodriguez in honor of Toni Pierce-Sands with support from TU Dance’s Board of Directors, and made possible by individual donors. This initiative is partially funded through The Toni Pierce-Sands Legacy Fund.

CUL·TI·VATE, A Trainee Program: Curated encounters (in and outside the dance studio) designed to support and strengthen the total dance artist, advancing their physical, emotional, and cognitive growth, agility, and acumen. Rooted in TU Dance’s vision of transformational communities, CUL·TI·VATE nurtures artistic excellence and the development of intellectual curiosities and moral character, finely tuned to ignite flourishing communities committed to shared humanity (Dr. Carol Marie Webster, PhD).

Inspired by the next generation of dance artists, CUL·TI·VATE is a program designed as a bridge for dancers with advanced training between their educational perspective and envisioning themselves in the professional field. Through classes, workshops, choreographic processes, mentorship, community engagement, teaching, performance, and more, dancers will connect and share experiences as a collective as well as express and gain momentum towards their individual interests and goals beyond their time in the program. CUL·TI·VATE will embrace and support each dancer while fostering their unique artistic path centered in TU Dance’s values of excellence, belonging, creativity, and transformation.

Deadline for Submission: August 2
This is a paid trainee program, with several non-paid apprenticeships available, for ages 18-24.

Participation in the TU Dance Advanced Summer Intensive is strongly encouraged for those interested in auditioning for CUL·TI·VATE. To learn more about and to register for the Advanced Summer Intensive, click here. To view the CUL·TI·VATE Brochure, Application Process, and all Program Requirements, please click here.

CUL·TI·VATE Interest and Questions: For any questions about the program, and to let us know if you are taking the TU Dance Summer Program as part of the audition, please email laurel.keen@tudance.org.

Get ready to sparkle on stage this season! Collide is casting local youth dancers for our Holiday Spectacular—a magical celebration featuring iconic scenes from The Nutcracker and festive dance storytelling set to your favorite holiday hits! Join us for an unforgettable winter performance filled with classical ballet, jazz, contemporary, and character work. From Sugar Plum dreams to Santa’s Workshop, this is your chance to shine in a show that brings holiday joy to all ages!

The Holiday Spectacular will offer young dancers an opportunity to perform alongside the Collide professional company at the beautiful Luminary Arts Center in the North Loop—home to the Minnesota Opera. The production is directed by Collide Artistic Director, Regina Peluso (Guthrie’s A Christmas Carol choreographer).

Audition Date #1: Monday, August 17 — Sign up here!
5:00-5:30pm: Ages 8-10
5:30-6:00pm: Ages 10-13
7:00-7:30pm: Ages 14-17
8:00-8:30pm: Ages 18+

Audition Date #2: Sunday, August 23 — Sign up here!
10:00-10:30am: Ages 8-10
10:30-11:00am: Ages 10-13
11:00-11:30am: Ages 14-17
11:30am-12:00pm: Ages 18+

Location: Collide Theatrical Dance Company
Audition Expectations: Wear dance attire (ballet/jazz shoes recommended) and bring a headshot and resume, if available. Dancers should expect to learn a short dance combination. Please be prepared to stay for the full audition slot.

Roles, Casting, and Fees: Seeking youth dancers, ages 8-18, who are proficient in ballet and jazz dance. Additional skills (tap, acro, pointe) are a plus! Specialty roles include Clara, Toy Soldiers, Holiday Elves, Toys, and more featured soloists alongside an ensemble cast. There is $150 participation fee to cover costumes and professional rehearsal training. Scholarships available.

Rehearsals are held the Sundays of September 20 and 27; October 4, 11, and 25; November 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29. Dancers will rehearse at the times below:

Youth Company: 9:00am-12:30pm (dancers will be called within this window)
Teen Company: 12:30-2:00pm
Apprentice Company: 2:00-4:00pm

The Holiday Spectacular performs December 2-6, 2026 at The Luminary Arts Center. Zoom Parent and Dancer Information Meeting on Sunday, September 13 at 7:00pm.
Questions? Email Auditions@collidetheatrical.org.

Come be part of the magic—let’s make this season spectacular together!

Staff
Holiday Spectacular Director: Regina Peluso
Holiday Youth Company Asst Director: Kenny Bieshke
Artistic Associates/Choreographers: Jarod Boltjes, Heather Brockman
Managing Director: Noelle Bohaty
Engagement Director: Jess Yates

Advanced Level students ages 15-22 have the opportunity to study alongside the Company as Trainees of Ballet Co.Laboratory. Trainees are advanced students who also study four times a week during the day with the Company in class and rehearsal. Trainees are fully enrolled in the Performing Arts Division at Ballet Co.Laboratory. Trainees participate in all season productions and outreach performances.

If interested, please contact Zoé Henrot at zhenrot@balletcolaboratory.org.

Prima Classical Ballet is looking for a Ballet Instructor for the 2026/27 school year to join our team! This role will include teaching ballet classes for ages 3-10 and tap for ages 3-5, as well as rehearsals for young dancers (choreography and music provided).

Commitment:

• Prima is looking for someone that is available to work for the 2026/27 school year (late August to early June).
• The instructor must be available to work the Nutcracker weekend (December 4-6, 2026) and the Spring Ballet (June 4-5, 2027).

Schedule: Prima is looking for an instructor passionate about teaching young dancers ages 3-10 with availability on Monday evenings and Saturday mornings.

If interested, please send an introductory email to admin@primaclassicalcoaching.com!

Prima Classical Ballet is looking for an Administrative Assistant for the 2026/27 school year!

Key Responsibilities: Front Desk and Admin

• Corresponding with families in person and via email: answering questions, registering students, and point of sales.
• Cleaning common areas and studios.
• Performing tasks related to performances, costuming, and studio communication.

Commitment: Prima is looking for someone that is available to work for the 2026/27 school year (late August to early June).
Schedule: 10-15 hours per week; Tuesdays (evening) and Saturdays (morning-afternoon).

If interested, please send an introductory email and your resume to admin@primaclassicalcoaching.com!

Collide Theatrical’s Apprentice Program is an audition-based professional training program designed to provide the skills needed to pursue formal positions within the Collide Company and in the world of theater dance. This is an excellent post-graduate transitional program for recent college graduates looking at venturing into a full-time performing career. This is a tuition-based training program that culminates with a final cabaret performance. Participation is by audition only.

Education and Performance Experience:

• Apprentices take class and rehearse alongside the First and Second Company on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from September 2026-April 2027.
• All Apprentices perform in The Holiday Spectacular and Apprentice Showcase, boosting their resumes and dance reels.
• They are invited to attend quarterly Master Classes with visiting Broadway Tour dance captains and local industry professionals.
• All apprentices receive periodic meetings with Collide Staff to individualize career goals and assist with growth and development from all angles.

Virtual Audition: Send a 5-minute dance reel featuring ballet adagio and jazz technique to Auditions@collidetheatrical.org. Please include a cover letter, resume, and headshot.

Questions? Email Auditions@collidetheatrical.org.

Doma Dance Theater seeks 3 dancers for a new research project.

Audition: Video submissions only. All submissions must be received by 11:59pm on Thursday, July 16.
Callback: In person at 5:00pm on August 6 at the Doma Studio

About the Project: This project builds off of Doma’s summer residency in Slovakia and the initial development phase from FermentationLAB in February/March 2026. The purpose of this new research project is to complete the second phase of rehearsals in preparation for Doma’s new evening-length work, Moonlit Mountain, which is anticipated to premiere in 2027.

The choreographer Alexandra Bodnarchuk, will be leading the process with support from Brandon Musser (Producing AD) and Marcela Michelle (Resident Dramaturg).

The goal of this second phase of rehearsal is to bring new dancers into the work to further develop the concept and generate new material. It will culminate with a work-in-progress showing in the TekBox. It’s our intention that dancers hired for this phase of the project will remain through its world premiere and potential touring.

Minnesota Ballet Theatre & School invites adults and professional dancers to audition for our Nutcracker production. This is an opportunity to join a magical holiday performance, with roles for dancers at various levels—from beginner/intermediate to advanced.

Who should audition:
Adult Dancers: 18+ with some ballet experience (for ensemble roles such as Adult Party Scene, Snow, or Flowers)
Professional/Advanced Dancers: Strong classical technique for solo or featured roles

What we are looking for:
Ensemble Roles: Snow, Flowers, Party Scene — dancers should have basic ballet skills; pointe shoes required for Snow and Flowers
Solo/Featured Roles: Strong classical technique, artistry, and stage presence; musicality, performance quality, and ability to learn choreography quickly; select soloists may receive compensation

Audition Details
Saturday, July 18 at 12:00pm — about 1 hour duration
Location: Minnesota Ballet School
Audition fee: Free
Performance Dates: December 11–13 at Eden Prairie High School Performing Arts Center
Rehearsals may take place during evenings or weekends, depending on assigned roles.

Bring ballet attire (leotard, tights, ballet shoes; pointe shoes if applicable), and a resume and headshot if available. Expectations vary as roles have different requirements; placement depends on experience, skill, and suitability. We welcome dancers of all levels! Everyone who auditions will be offered a role suited to their abilities.