THE NUTCRACKER
Nutcracker Prep Classes
September 3 & 4, 2025
Nutcracker Prep Classes are highly recommended, but not required, to audition for The Nutcracker. Dancers will work on technique, choreography, and audition etiquette to prepare them to audition at their best!
Ages 5 to 6 | TIME TBA | Studio 2
Ages 7 to 9 | TIME TBA | Studio 2
Ages 10 to 12 | TIME TBA | Studio 2
Ages 13+ | TIME TBA | Studio 3
Pointe* | TIME TBA | Studio 3
*minimum one full year of pointe training required
Nutcracker Auditions
September 6, 2025
All dancers should arrive 30 minutes prior to audition time in Ballet attire. Audition fee of $$ per dancer is due at time of registration. Pre-registration is greatly appreciated and available at the MPA office on September 3rd & 4th from 3:00- 7:00 PM.
Ages 5 to 6 | TIME TBA
Ages 7 to 9 | TIME TBA
Ages 10 to 12 | TIME TBA
Ages 13+ | TIME TBA
Pointe* | TIME TBA
*minimum one full year of pointe training required
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Ages are determined as of 9/6/2025
Please review the requirements and information under our Nutcracker FAQs page in order to audition and participate in MPA's Nutcracker.
Not a MPA student?
Be sure to fill out a Registration Class Confirmation that is required to be included with your Audition Form. This form must be signed by a parent and your School Director or Owner. Form can be found below. Read over our requirements and more under the Nutcracker FAQs.
December 2025 TBA
WAUNAKEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
301 COMMUNITY DR., WAUNAKEE, WI 53597
TICKETS
$$ ADULTS | $$ FOR CHILDREN UNDER 12 (plus taxes and fees)
THERE IS NO LIMIT ON THE AMOUNT OF TICKETS YOU CAN PURCHASE.
TICKETS WILL BE SOLD ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE BASIS.
INFORMATIONAL PACKET
All information regarding rehearsals, performances, photos, videos, hair/makeup/costume requirements, program ads, cast party, FAQs, apparel, and more is all located in this information packet. Please take the time to read over all the information carefully.
PHOTO DAY
Date TBA at MPA Studios
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We are excited to welcome back EPS Photography! View the group schedule and schedule your session for individuals/siblings/friends below! For more information, view pages ### in the Informational Packet.
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Please contact Jonathan at EPS photos if you have any questions or want more information: jonathan@eps-photo.com.
DRESS REHEARSALS
TECH REHEARSALS: December 2025 TBA
DRESS REHEARSAL: December 2025 TBA
AT Waunakee Performing Arts Center
Tech and Dress Rehearsals are mandatory.
Please view the Nutcracker Informational Packet for a detailed schedule.
CAST PARTY
December 2025 TBA
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Pizza, refreshments, ice cream, and dance party in the Performing Arts Center Commons! Friends and family are welcome to join. The cost of this party is included in your participation fee this year. Each additional guest you bring will be at the cost of $ per person. Please fill out the Cast Party form located in the Nutcracker Informational Packet and hand it in at the front desk.
VIDEOS
A professional videographer will be recording at the performances. All Nutcracker families will be receiving one DVD and a digital copy of the performances! The fee for this is included in your Nutcracker participation fee and there will be no additional video charges. For the safety of the dancers and comfort of other patrons, absolutely no photography or videotaping is allowed, with or without flash during the performances.
PROGRAM ADS
MPA will be providing a program guide during the show, and we would like to offer you an ad space. This advertisement is an inexpensive way to give a “shout out” to your dancer or to help your business with exposure but also help produce MPA’s wonderful show and sponsor the arts in the Waunakee and surrounding communities. This is a great way to get value from your advertising dollars.
Ads will be for sale starting with a 1/4 page for $ and gradually increase from there. MPA has cover pages available in color starting at $. Examples can be found in the Nutcracker Packet (found above and at the front desk).
We hope you will help us in making this year’s production of The Nutcracker a success. This is a great way to get involved. If you need help creating your ad, all imagery and text must be handed in by DATE TBA. If you already have a designed ad with no editing needed, these must be handed in by DATE TBA. All program ad submissions and any questions can be submitted to Jessica at jessica@mpadance.com.
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MORE INFORMATION AND FORMS ARE LOCATED AT THE END OF THE NUTCRACKER INFORMATIONAL PACKET.
VOLUNTEERING
Volunteering is required! We have made available volunteer opportunities that require time but not money, commitments that can be done far before the show, commitments that require time during the show, and opportunities that definitely put your talents to work! We’re sure everyone will find a way to help us put on such a massive production in a way that is fun and comfortable. We require that each dancer is represented by at least one volunteer position. If you are not able to volunteer for a position there is an opt out fee of $100.00 available to you. All volunteer sign ups or opt out fees are due by DATE TBA .
The Story of the Nutcracker
The Nutcracker is a holiday fairy tale about a young girl, Clara, and her special Christmas. Her Uncle, Drosselmeyer, is a magical, mysterious character in her life. This Christmas, he has a special gift for her, a beautiful Nutcracker doll. She receives the present from him at the annual family party. After finding out that it can crack nuts, her sister Louise tries it out and breaks it. Clara is upset and the party halts until Drosselmeyer fixes the Nutcracker.
Clara is excited about the new doll, and she wants to stay up all night with it, but her family sends her off to bed. After everyone has left and the family is asleep, Clara sneaks downstairs to look at her Nutcracker doll. She eventually falls asleep, and with a little help from Drosselmeyer's magic, her dream begins.
Mice suddenly wake her and the Mouse King appears and tries to kidnap her and take her to his kingdom. Drosselmeyer reappears to making everything bigger, the Christmas tree, the toy soldiers and the Nutcracker, all to protect Clara. After some mischief from the Mice and Soldiers, the Mouse King battles with the Nutcracker. With help from the Soldiers and Clara, the Nutcracker defeats the Mouse king and sends him and his mice away.
Drosselmeyer turns the Nutcracker into a prince and presents him to Clara. The Nutcracker Prince sweeps Clara away to his special land and to show her his magnificent palace. Their journey takes them through the Enchanted Land of the Snow and The Land of Sweets, where they meet sweets from around the world.
The Sugar Plum Fairy, Arabian dancers, Russian dancers, Chinese dancers, Marizpan, Bon Bons, and the beautiful Waltzing Flowers meet them. The festival concludes when everyone comes together on the court and bids Clara and the Nutcracker Prince farewell. She tells the Nutcracker she wishes the adventure would never end and he tells her it won’t for those who have an eye to see it.
Clara and her sister, Louise, and brother, Fritz, prepare for their family's annual Christmas party.
During the party, Drosselmeyer freezes everyone and Clara watches as solider dolls come to life. Her brother, Fritz, is put under this spell to dance alongside the toy soldiers.
Was that all just a dream?
Clara and her sister, Louise, and brother, Fritz, prepare for their family's annual Christmas party.
Photos from 2024 Dress Rehearsal - Thank You Joe Zitzelsberger!