The Children's Nutcracker 2023

This year’s performances will be held at Lakewood Cultural Center on Saturday and Sunday, November 25th and 26th, 2023. The Nutcracker is always a special holiday event, and this year will be no exception! We believe that performance is an integral part of dance training and it is also a lot of fun for our students and families. Please read through the information below to see if your dancer want to be a part of this year’s magical, fun-filled event.

Theater Information: The Children's Nutcracker performances are on Saturday and Sunday, November 25th and 26th with a tech rehearsal in the morning/afternoon Friday, November 24th at:

Lakewood Cultural Center

470 S Allison Parkway

Lakewood, CO

Ticketing Information: Tickets will be available through the Lakewood Cultural Center Box Office on Tuesday, October 24th at 10:00 am. Tickets cost $35/each and include parking. All children who sit in a seat require a ticket. The Lakewood Cultural Center seats 320 and is assigned seating. Tickets purchased online will incur a $5 charge per order and an additional fee of $2.75 per ticket. Phone orders will incur a $5 charge per order. We recommend purchasing the tickets in person at the venue to avoid these additional theater costs.

Box Office Phone Number: 303-987-7845

Nutcracker Registration: Registration is open for currently enrolled students through Jackrabbit's parent portal.

Please register for the correct level:

Company, Apprentice, Jr. Company, Intermediate, Elementary or Pre-Ballet.

All rehearsals will be held at the DcD studios at 1958 Elm Street until performance weekend.

Non-Company Participation (Ages 5 and up):

The Children’s Nutcracker is a fun performance opportunity for all ages at DcD. The cost to participate at this level is $200 and that includes rehearsal time, costume rental, theater rental, filming costs and a cast t-shirt. A live stream will be available for friends and family to purchase. All dancers who participate will be cast in a role.

Non-Company Participants will be cast in 2 shows, 1 on Saturday and 1 on Sunday. There will be 10 spaces for Pre-Ballet and 20 spaces each for Elementary and Intermediate level dancers.

Company, Apprentice and Jr. Company (Level 1 and up):

Our student company programs were created for dancers in Level 1 and up who want to make a stronger commitment to our overall program and performances. Dancers cannot miss more than 2 rehearsals) and are required to have near-perfect attendance in classes 2 or 3 classes per week depending on level.

Dancers and parents are required to co-sign a Company Contract agreeing to the additional commitments. The total cost to participate at this level is $400. If you are interested in joining one of our student companies, parents and students please read through the following general information first, followed by the Company Contract upon signing up to make sure you are fully aware of the commitments involved. The age breakdown is as follows:

Level 1 and up at time of audition are cast as Junior Company.

Age 11-12 at time of audition are cast as Apprentice Company.

Ages 13 and up (Level 4 & 5) are cast as Company.

Casting: All casting decisions are final. It is unacceptable to question the director of teachers concerning roles that are given, and we will not engage in any correspondence regarding casting. We ask all dancers to accept their roles graciously as it takes an entire cast to put on a magical production!

Rehearsals: Rehearsals are every Saturday at the DcD studios at 1958 Elm Street, Denver 80220.

Rehearsal Schedule:

Company (13+): Starting August 19th 11:00AM-3:00pm

Apprentice (11+): Starting September 9th, 1:00-3:00 pm

Jr. Company (Level 1+): Starting September 9th Cast A 11:00-12:00 Cast B 12-1:00

Intermediate Level (7+): Starting October 14th Cast A 11-12:00 Cast B 12-1:00pm

Elementary Level (5+): Starting October 28th 3:00-4:00 pm

Pre-Ballet Level (3+): Starting October 28th 11:30-12:30

Apprentice and Junior Company dancers will join Nutcracker rehearsals on Saturday, September 9th!

Halloween Costumes! Saturday October 28th, *Dancers can wear Halloween costumes to rehearsal! Please make sure dancers can move and dance in costume.

November 19th Studio Dress Rehearsal at DcD, 1958 Elm Street:

11:00- 2:30 Cast A & C

3:00-5:00 Cast B & D

A Detailed Performance Schedule for Thanksgiving weekend (Friday-Sunday) will be emailed to all Nutcracker families in the coming months. There is a performance Hair & Make-up link on the DcD website for easy reference.