Southwest Ballet Theatre will host open auditions this Saturday for its ninth annual performance of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” this December.

Auditions are open to dancers of all skill levels and take place 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26 inside Estrella Mountain Community College’s Performing Arts Center, 3000 N. Dysart Road, Avondale. “The Nutcracker” performances will be Dec. 14-17 at the Performing Arts Center.

Southwest Ballet Theatre has also unveiled a Boys Ballet Tuition-Free Program initiative, aimed at making ballet accessible to boys in the West Valley.

Designed to provide boys with access to ballet training, the program recognizes unique attributes of male dancers. Central to the program is a boys-only class, guided by Interim Artistic Director Anthony Spaulding. This class aims to enhance athleticism, flexibility, muscle strength, and coordination, all while fostering a supportive environment that celebrates the energy of boys. To complement this class, additional co-ed ballet sessions tailored to varying ages and abilities are available.

"The Boys Ballet Tuition-Free Program offers boys the chance to experience the immense benefits of ballet training, empowering them to excel in sports, cultivate self-expression, and embrace the joy of captivating audiences,” Spaulding stated in a press release.

The program also encourages voluntary participation in productions such as “The Nutcracker” and the spring showcase.

Spaulding, a Phoenix native, steps into to his role as interim artistic director after beginning his journey at Dance Incorporated, which led him to the School of Ballet Arizona, San Francisco Ballet School, an apprenticeship with the San Francisco Ballet in 2004.

Southwest Ballet Theatre is a nonprofit ballet company that brings professional ballet performances to the West Valley community. The company performs “The Nutcracker” every December and another full-length ballet in the spring.

Visit swbtballet.org.

Open auditions for Southwest Ballet Theatre’s “The Nutcracker” take place Saturday, Aug. 26.

(Tavits Photography, provided by Southwest Ballet Theatre)