Nutcracker 2026 Pricing

The cost to audition is $15. This contributes towards your instructor’s and the audition panel’s time.

Should you be successful through the auditions, the cost is dependent on your level of participation. You must indicate how many pieces you wish to dance in on your audition intake form.

The 2026 production does see a price increase to offset some of the exciting changes and feedback that was proposed following the 2025 cast survey:

  • New dances means five options for each level (including a national-character style dance for Clara’s friends, harlequin clowns and an Intermediate-level pointe piece)

  • Longer rehearsal times and a greater division of staff to assist in the room for Party and Battle Scene

  • More chances to practise Act II dances outside of a group rehearsal

  • A larger theatre

Payment plans are available for everyone with a first instalment of $95 to allow for costume ordering followed by even amounts of your remaining due, per week for the remaining 20 weeks, until the shows.

6th Position believes in making ballet opportunities accessible to everyone. We have done our best efforts to make costs all-inclusive and accessible whilst remaining solvent. If you have concerns about the cost, we encourage you to email us to discuss options for payment. We never want finances to be the reason someone cannot participate.

Any participant’s costs includes:

  1. Five to eight weeks of 2.5 hour rehearsals for each piece in Act I (Party Scene, Battle Scene, Snowflakes)

  2. Four weeks of 2.5 hour rehearsals for each piece in Act II (Christmas Trees and all dessert dances) and extra rehearsal time for other pieces.

  3. Group rehearsals

  4. Costume hire for each piece you enrol in

  5. Five full-ballet dress rehearsals 

  6. Concert videography for you to keep

  7. Concert photography for you to keep

  8. Five performance opportunities

  9. A cast viewing party at Dendy Cinemas Canberra with canapés!

Corps De Ballets Pricing*

  • 1 piece - $390

  • 2 pieces - $700 ($80 discount)

  • 3 pieces - $980 ($190 discount)

  • 4 pieces - $1350 ($210 discount)

  • 5 pieces - $1720 ($230 discount)

*A 5% discount for returning cast members is available on all corps de ballet pieces.



Featured Artists - No extra cost

  • The Stahlbaums (Clara’s parents) - 1 piece $370 (Party Scene)

  • Marie/Fritz (Clara’s sibling) 1 piece $370 (Party Scene)

  • No extra cost as these roles are learnt in the corps de ballet rehearsals

Soloists & Supporting Principals - $250 additional for three hours of semi-private lessons

  • Snow Queen

  • Cherry On Top

  • Lemon

  • Lime

  • Mouse Queen / King

  • Xmas Star

  • For participation in additional dances, special payment packages can be arranged

Principals - $1350 total 

Clara & Nutcracker 

  • Rehearsals in the majority of scenes for Act I & II (you will join rehearsal periods later once the corps de ballet have learnt their piece).

  • Plus 15 weeks of 2 hour pas de deux private lessons, some with an ex-professional dancer.

  • Plus one piece of your choice to participate in when your on your non-principal weekend. For participation in additional dances, special payment packages can be arranged.

  • Only one costume for entire ballet reduces the cost compared to 5-piece cast members.


Drosselmeyer 

  • Rehearsals in every Act I scene (you will join rehearsal periods later once the corps de ballet know their piece).

  • Plus additional private lessons for extra scenes (Overture solo, Midnight solo and scene, Christmas Wish scene, Final Scene).

  • Plus two pieces of your choice to participate in when you are rostered on your non-principal weekend, or for Act II. For participation in additional dances, special payment packages can be arranged.

  • Only one costume for entire ballet reduces the cost compared to 5-piece cast members.


Ballerina Doll & Sugar Plum Fairy 

  • This will now be played by the same person throughout the entire ballet (Ballerina Doll - Act I / Sugar Plum Fairy Act II).

  • 10 weeks of two hour private lessons for solos, some with an ex-professional dancer.

  • Plus rehearsals in extra scenes (Midnight, Battle Scene for Doll / Christmas Trees, Pavlovas and Finale for Sugar Plum Fairy).

  • Plus one piece of your choice to participate in when you are on your non-principal weekend. For participation in additional dances, special payment packages can be arranged.

  • Only two costumes reduces the costs compared to 5-piece cast members.