Auditions
What type of company is the GNBC?We are a semi-professional company which is comprised of students and professional-level dancers.
Is there an age limit for auditions?
Yes, dancers must be at least 6 years old to audition for The Nutcracker. Other productions may have different minimum age requirements. There is no age maximum to audition for our performances; many adults perform with us regularly.
What is the dress code for auditions?
Dancers should look professional. For girls/ladies, ballet shoes, tights and a leotard should be worn with long hair tied back neatly in a bun. Skirts are optional. Boys should wear either dance pants or tights with a plain color t-shirt; jazz or ballet shoes are preferred. No baggy clothing, tutus, costumes, or jewelry should be worn into the audition. All hair must be secured. Religious, cultural and other accommodations can be made, but for any accommodations that are unrelated to religion or culture, we ask that you please reach out to us prior to the audition.
Do I have to register and pay online for the audition?
You have to register online before auditions. If using a credit card, you will also need to pay online through the registration system. If you prefer to pay via cash or check, you can pay in-person when you arrive.
Is there free parking?
Yes, there is a small lot on the Portage Road side of the building, however, most cars will be able to find street parking on either Portage Road or Walnut Avenue. Both the lot and street parking are free.
The NACC is a large building; where is your entrance?
For auditions and most rehearsals, dancers should enter through the purple door on the Portage Avenue side of the building. Note that there is a different entrance for regular classes.
Performances
How can I find out about upcoming auditions and performances?
The best way to stay up-to-date is via our Newsletter. We also post updates on our Facebook and Instagram pages.
How are your performances different from recitals?
Most of our performances are from the classical ballet repertoire, such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Les Patineurs. Music was composed specifically for these ballets at the time they were originally choreographed. Our performances are not based on enrollment in our studio classes which is often how recitals are organized. Dancers audition and are given roles based on their audition; we usually do not add on solos or anything else additional to full-length ballets. For the most part, there are limited numbers of roles available in order to keep the classic ballet narratives as clear to the audience as possible and to keep run times to under two hours.
How can I buy tickets?
Tickets are always available in-person. We will soon be switching over to a new online ticketing system which we will have linked on our website and Facebook pages.
How many performances are there per year?
We usually have 2 large-scale performances and several showcases throughout WNY during our season.
Classes
What age can my child start classes at the GNBC?
We start at age 4.
Can adults take classes?
Yes, we have several classes that adults can take, although many of our classes are only for children. See our schedule for more details.
Do you have recitals?
No, we do not have recitals. This saves parents and caregivers a considerable amount of money as there are no costumes to purchase and no surprise charges our students will be required to pay at the end of the year. Our students over the age of 6 are allowed to audition for our semi-annual performances if they wish to perform on stage.
Do you participate in competitions?
We do not currently participate in competitions.
What is the dress code?
Dancers should look professional. For girls/ladies, ballet shoes, tights and a leotard should be worn with long hair tied back neatly in a bun. Skirts are optional. Boys should wear either dance pants or tights with a plain color t-shirt and wear black ballet shoes. No baggy clothing, tutus, costumes, or jewelry should be worn into class. All hair must be secured.
Religious, cultural and other accommodations can be made, but for any accommodations that are unrelated to religion or culture, we ask that you please reach out to us prior to the start of classes.
For adult-only classes or for Ballet Technique & Stretch, dancers can wear comfortable exercise clothing. They do not need to be in ballet-specific clothing. Ballet or jazz shoes are recommended but socks are also an option.
Do I need to bring anything for Ballet Technique & Stretch?
Only water! The studio has yoga mats, yoga blocks, resistance bands and a few foam rollers for class use, however, you may bring your own supplies if you prefer.
Where is the class entrance?
The entrance is on the corner of Portage Road and Walnut Avenue. The door should be open 10 minutes prior to class start time. If the door is locked, please ring the doorbell on the left of the door. Note that the purple door entrance on Portage Road is usually only open during auditions and rehearsals.