Marianne Kelley's School of Dance
INSIDE MKSD

The Nutcracker

MKSD’S Favorite Holiday tradition!

MKSD Nutcracker 2026

Picture weekend at MKSD October 24 – 25

Dress Rehearsals December 12 – 13, 2026 Powhatan High School

Performances December 18 – 20, 2026 Powhatan High School

Rehearsal Schedule

Saturday, October 17

  • Time 1:30 – 2:30RussianStudio 1Teacher VF
  • Time 2:30 – 3:30Dew DropStudio 1Teacher KL
  • Time 3:30 – 5:30Dew Drop, Violets, FlowersStudio 1Teacher KL
  • Time 11:15 – 1:00Snow Queen, Snowflakes, ClaraStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 1:00 – 2:30Sugar Plum, Clara, Sugar Plum Court, Head Chef, CooksStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 2:30 – 3:30Mirliton Leads, Mirlitonettes, LambsStudio 2Teacher KJ
  • Time 3:30 – 5:30Clara, Rat Queen, Nutcracker, Soldiers, MiceStudio 2Teacher VF
  • Time 12:15 – 1:00Mother Ginger Children - CAST AStudio 4Teacher VF
  • Time 2:30 – 3:30Rat QueenStudio 4Teacher VF
  • Time 12:15 – 1:00Mother Ginger Children - CAST BStudio 5Teacher KJ

Sunday, October 18

  • Time 12:00 – 1:00Arabian Lead, ArabianStudio 1Teacher BDJ
  • Time 1:00 – 2:00Columbine DollsStudio 1Teacher BDJ
  • Time 2:00 – 2:45Soldier DollStudio 1Teacher BDJ
  • Time 3:00 – 4:00ChineseStudio 1Teacher BDJ
  • Time 11:00 – 12:00Sugar PlumStudio 2Teacher AC
  • Time 12:00 – 1:00Candy Cane Queen, Candy CanesStudio 2Teacher KJ
  • Time 1:00 – 2:00Clara, FrannyStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 2:00 – 3:00Drosslmeyer, Clara, FrannyStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 3:00 – 5:00Clara and Franny's Parents, Party Parents, Maids, Clara, Franny, Party Children, DrosslmeyerStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 5:00 – 5:30Clara and Franny's Parents, Clara, Franny, MaidsStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 12:00 – 1:00SpanishStudio 3Teacher AC
  • Time 1:15 – 2:00Mother Ginger Children CAST CStudio 3Teacher KJ

Saturday, October 24, Pictures

  • Time 9:30 – 10:30RussianStudio 2Teacher VF
  • Time 10:30 – 11:00SoldiersStudio 2Teacher VF
  • Time 11:00 – 12:00Cooks, Head ChefStudio 2Teacher VF
  • Time 12:00 – 1:00Mother Ginger's ChildrenStudio 2Teacher VF
  • Time 1:00 – 2:00Sugar Plum CourtStudio 2Teacher VF
  • Time 2:00 – 3:00Mice, Rat QueenStudio 2Teacher VF
  • Time 3:00 – 3:30ChineseStudio 2Teacher VF
  • Time 3:30 – 4:00Columbine Dolls, Soldier DollStudio 2Teacher VF
  • Time 4:00 – 5:00Candy Canes, Candy Cane QueenStudio 2Teacher VF

Sunday, October 25, Pictures

  • Time 9:30 – 10:30Siblings/MakeupsStudio 2Teacher VF
  • Time 10:30 – 11:00Party Parents, MaidsStudio 2Teacher VF
  • Time 11:00 – 11:30Clara, FrannyStudio 2Teacher VF
  • Time 11:30 – 12:30Party Girls, Franny, ClaraStudio 2Teacher VF
  • Time 12:30 – 1:00SpanishStudio 2Teacher VF
  • Time 1:00 – 1:30Sugar PlumStudio 2Teacher VF
  • Time 1:30 – 2:30Mirliton, Mirlitonettes, LambsStudio 2Teacher VF
  • Time 2:30 – 3:00Snow Queen, SnowflakesStudio 2Teacher VF
  • Time 3:00 – 3:30Dew Drop, Violets, FlowersStudio 2Teacher VF
  • Time 4:00 – 4:30Arabian Lead, ArabianStudio 2Teacher VF
  • Time 4:30 – 5:00SeniorsStudio 2Teacher VF

Saturday, October 31

  • Time 12:00 – 2:00Clara, Drosslmeyer, Rat Queen, Nutcracker, Soldiers, MiceStudio 1Teacher VF
  • Time 2:00 – 3:00RussianStudio 1Teacher VF
  • Time 11:15 – 1:00Snow Queen, Snowflakes, ClaraStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 1:00 – 2:30Sugar Plum, Clara, Sugar Plum Court, Head Chef, CooksStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 2:30 – 3:30Candy Cane Queen, Candy CanesStudio 2Teacher KJ

Sunday, November 1

  • Time 11:00 – 12:00Sugar PlumStudio 1Teacher AC
  • Time 12:00 – 1:00Arabian Lead, ArabianStudio 1Teacher BDJ
  • Time 1:00 – 2:15Columbine Dolls, Soldier DollStudio 1Teacher BDJ
  • Time 2:15 – 3:00ChineseStudio 1Teacher BDJ
  • Time 3:00 – 4:00Mother Ginger Children - CAST A/B/CStudio 1Teacher KJ
  • Time 4:00 – 5:00Mirliton Leads, Mirlitonettes, LambsStudio 1Teacher KJ
  • Time 11:00 – 12:00SpanishStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 1:00 – 2:30Dew Drop, Violets, FlowersStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 2:45 – 3:30CAST A: Party Scene - Clara's Parents, Party Parents, Maids, Clara, Franny, Party Children, Drosslmeyer, Columbine Dolls, Soldier DollStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 3:45 – 4:30CAST B: Party Scene - Clara's Parents, Party Parents, Maids, Clara, Franny, Party Children, Drosslmeyer, Columbine Dolls, Soldier DollStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 4:45 – 5:30CAST C: Party Scene - Clara's Parents, Party Parents, Maids, Clara, Franny, Party Children, Drosslmeyer, Columbine Dolls, Soldier DollStudio 2Teacher MK

Saturday, November 7

  • Time 12:15 – 1:00Mother Ginger Children - CAST A - B - CStudio 1Teacher KJVF
  • Time 1:30 – 2:30RussianStudio 1Teacher VF
  • Time 2:30 – 3:30Mirliton Leads, Mirlitonettes, LambsStudio 1Teacher KJ
  • Time 3:30 – 5:00Dew Drop, Violets, FlowersStudio 1Teacher KL
  • Time 11:15 – 1:00Snow Queen, Snowflakes, ClaraStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 1:00 – 2:30Sugar Plum, Clara, Sugar Plum Court, Head Chef, CooksStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 2:30 – 3:00SpanishStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 3:00 – 5:00Drosslmeyer, Clara, Rat Queen, Nutcracker, Soldiers, MiceStudio 2Teacher VF
  • Time 3:30 – 4:30Candy Cane Queen, Candy CanesStudio 3Teacher KJ

Sunday, November 8

  • Time 12:00 – 1:00Arabian Lead, ArabianStudio 1Teacher BDJ
  • Time 3:00 – 4:00ChineseStudio 1Teacher BDJ
  • Time 10:15 – 11:00Sugar PlumStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 11:00 – 12:00Clara, Sugar Plum, Snow Queen, Dew Drop, Candy Cane Queen, Arabian Lead, Head Chef, Spanish LeadStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 1:00 – 3:00Dew Drop, Violets, FlowersStudio 2Teacher KL
  • Time 3:00 – 3:30CAST A: Party Scene - Clara's Parents, Party Parents, Maids, Clara, Franny, Party Children, Drosslmeyer, Columbine Dolls, Soldier DollStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 3:45 – 4:15CAST B: Party Scene - Clara's Parents, Party Parents, Maids, Clara, Franny, Party Children, Drosslmeyer, Columbine Dolls, Soldier DollStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 4:30 – 5:00CAST C: Party Scene - Clara's Parents, Party Parents, Maids, Clara, Franny, Party Children, Drosslmeyer, Columbine Dolls, Soldier DollStudio 2Teacher MK

Tuesday, November 10

  • Time 5:15 – 6:30Snow Queen, Snowflakes, ClaraStudio 2Teacher MK

Saturday, November 14

  • Time 11:45 – 12:45CAST A: Party Scene - Clara's Parents, Party Parents, Maids, Clara, Franny, Party Children, Drosslmeyer, Columbine Dolls, Soldier DollStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 12:45 – 1:45CAST B: Party Scene - Clara's Parents, Party Parents, Maids, Clara, Franny, Party Children, Drosslmeyer, Columbine Dolls, Soldier DollStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 1:45 – 2:45CAST C: Party Scene - Clara's Parents, Party Parents, Maids, Clara, Franny, Party Children, Drosslmeyer, Columbine Dolls, Soldier DollStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 3:00 – 4:00CAST A: Ballet Scene: Drosslmeyer, Clara, Rat Queen, Nutcracker, Soldiers, MiceStudio 2Teacher VF
  • Time 4:00 – 5:00CAST B: Ballet Scene: Drosslmeyer, Clara, Rat Queen, Nutcracker, Soldiers, MiceStudio 2Teacher VF
  • Time 5:00 – 6:00CAST C: Ballet Scene: Drosslmeyer, Clara, Rat Queen, Nutcracker, Soldiers, MiceStudio 2Teacher VF

Sunday, November 15

  • Time 11:00 – 11:45SpanishStudio 1Teacher KL
  • Time 12:30 – 1:30Arabian Lead, ArabianStudio 1Teacher BDJ
  • Time 1:30 – 2:15ChineseStudio 1Teacher BDJ
  • Time 2:15 – 3:00RussianStudio 1Teacher MK
  • Time 4:00 – 5:00Candy Cane Queen, Candy CanesStudio 1Teacher MK
  • Time 11:00 – 11:45Sugar PlumStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 11:45 – 12:30Clara, Sugar Plum, Snow Queen, Dew Drop, Candy Cane Queen, Arabian Lead, Head Chef, Spanish LeadStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 12:30 – 1:30Sugar Plum, Clara, Sugar Plum Court, Head Chef, CooksStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 1:30 – 2:45Dew Drop, Violets, FlowersStudio 2Teacher KL
  • Time 3:00 – 3:45Mother Ginger Children - CAST A - B - CStudio 2Teacher KJMK
  • Time 4:00 – 5:00Mirliton Leads, Mirlitonettes, LambsStudio 2Teacher KJ
  • Time 4:00 – 5:00Volunteer TrainingStudio 3Teacher KC

Tuesday, November 17

  • Time 5:15 – 6:30Snow Queen, Snowflakes, ClaraStudio 2Teacher MK

Saturday, November 21

  • Time 11:45 – 12:45CAST A: Clara's Parents, Party Parents, Maids, Clara, Franny, Party Children, Drosslmeyer, Columbine Dolls, Soldier DollStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 12:45 – 1:45CAST B: Clara's Parents, Party Parents, Maids, Clara, Franny, Party Children, Drosslmeyer, Columbine Dolls, Soldier DollStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 1:45 – 2:45CAST C: Clara's Parents, Party Parents, Maids, Clara, Franny, Party Children, Drosslmeyer, Columbine Dolls, Soldier DollStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 3:00 – 4:00CAST A: Drosslmeyer, Clara, Rat Queen, Nutcracker, Soldiers, MiceStudio 2Teacher VF
  • Time 4:00 – 5:00CASTB: Drosslmeyer, Clara, Rat Queen, Nutcracker, Soldiers, MiceStudio 2Teacher VF
  • Time 5:00 – 6:00CAST C: Drosslmeyer, Clara, Rat Queen, Nutcracker, Soldiers, MiceStudio 2Teacher VF

Sunday, November 22

  • Time 11:00 – 11:45SpanishStudio 1Teacher KL
  • Time 12:30 – 1:30Arabian Lead, ArabianStudio 1Teacher KL
  • Time 1:30 – 2:15ChineseStudio 1Teacher MK
  • Time 2:15 – 3:00RussianStudio 1Teacher MK
  • Time 4:00 – 5:00Candy Cane Queen, Candy CanesStudio 1Teacher MK
  • Time 11:00 – 11:45Sugar PlumStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 11:45 – 12:30Clara, Sugar Plum, Snow Queen, Dew Drop, Candy Cane Queen, Arabian Lead, Head Chef, Spanish LeadStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 12:30 – 1:30Sugar Plum, Clara, Sugar Plum Court, Head Chef, CooksStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 1:30 – 2:45Dew Drop, Violets, FlowersStudio 2Teacher KL
  • Time 3:00 – 3:45Mother Ginger Children - CAST A - B - CStudio 2Teacher KJMK
  • Time 4:00 – 5:00Mirliton Leads, Mirlitonettes, LambsStudio 2Teacher KJ

Saturday, December 5, Studio Run Through

  • Time 230 – 330CAST A - ACT ONEStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 330 – 400CAST A - ALLStudio 2Teacher VFKJKB
  • Time 3:30 – 4:00CAST A MEETING: Parents of Mother Ginger, Mice, Candy Canes, Lambs, Cooks, Mirlitonettes, Russian, Sugar Plum CourtStudio 3Teacher MK
  • Time 400 – 500CAST A - ACT TWOStudio 2Teacher MK

Sunday, December 6, Studio Run Through

  • Time 1200 – 100CAST B - ACT ONEStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 100 – 130CAST B - ALLStudio 2Teacher VFKJKB
  • Time 1:30 – 2:00CAST B MEETING: Parents of Mother Ginger, Mice, Candy Canes, Lambs, Cooks, Mirlitonettes, Russian, Sugar Plum CourtStudio 3Teacher MK
  • Time 130 – 230CAST B - ACT TWOStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 300 – 400CAST C - ACT ONEStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 400 – 430CAST C - ALLStudio 2Teacher VFKJKB
  • Time 4:00 – 4:30CAST C MEETING: Parents of Mother Ginger, Mice, Candy Canes, Lambs, Cooks, Mirlitonettes, Russian, Sugar Plum CourtStudio 3Teacher MK
  • Time 430 – 530CAST C - ACT TWOStudio 2Teacher MK

Saturday, December 12, Dress Rehearsal At Phs

  • Time 4:00 – 6:00CAST AStudio 2Teacher MK

Sunday, December 13, Dress Rehearsal At Phs

  • Time 12:00 – 2:00CAST BStudio 2Teacher MK
  • Time 4:00 – 6:00CAST CStudio 2Teacher MK

Costume Notes

Click Here for Costume Notes

General Information

What should my dancer expect at the audition?

Check in: You will be pre-registered. Simply check in at the assigned table to receive your audition number. Secure this to the front of your leotard/shirt for boys. We’ll provide the pins. You will then wait in the supervised dancer holding/warm up studio (sorry, no parents in here) until called for audition as a group.

Audition Class: Age and level appropriate ballet class to Nutcracker music. Your child does not have to come with anything prepared, other than wearing their MKSD ballet dress code.

Dismissal: Your child will be dismissed at the scheduled time. Please be mindful that we have several groups coming, and prefer swift exits.

What roles are my child eligible for? When do we find out about casting?

Each year we cast our show differently, to allow for overall production growth. Every role in our production is important! Casting will be emailed out in the week following the audition. We have 3 casts: A/B/C all equally amazing.

Cast A/B/C distribution helps us to give more dancers and opportunity to shine! This means your child may “share” their role with another child. When we practice we say “let me see cast a”, or “now let’s see cast b, or c”. The dancers need to know which one they are! (This will be clear on the cast list)

When are rehearsals?

Which day and what time depends on your child’s role. Our Nutcracker rehearsals are on Saturday and/or Sunday. Weekly Rehearsals will begin September 26. We try to keep a consistent time for each cast role, and email out several rehearsal weeks in advance.

Does my child need to attend all rehearsals?

We prefer so. However, we realize it’s a busy time of year. Please try not to miss more than one weekend. In the event that a dancer misses excessive practice and we they are not able to maintain choreography, we may need to remove them from the cast.

Do I need to purchase a ticket?

Yes. We will send you a direct link via email when tickets go on sale. (typically mid-October)

Audition Information

Auditions at MKSD Studio by Level

Audition Attire: Dress code leotard, pink/flesh tights, ballet and pointe shoes if applicable.

EBC/Advanced Levels: Any color leotard. Skirts allowed.

Participation Tuition – $400 Must pre-register (tuition may be added to your fall invoice or pay at audition)

Audition Schedule 2026

Level Day Arrive Audition
Saturday, September 12
EBC Trainees and Apprentices Saturday 9:15 AM 9:30 – 10:45 AM
EBC Company and PP Ballet Saturday 10:45 AM 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Ballet 5/6 Saturday 12:45 PM 1:00 – 1:15 PM
Ballet/Jazz 1 Saturday 1:30 PM 1:45 – 2:00 PM
Ballet/Jazz 2 Saturday 2:15 PM 2:30 – 2:45 PM
Petite Saturday 3:00 PM 3:15 – 3:45 PM
Mini Saturday 4:00 PM 4:15 – 4:45 PM
Junior Saturday 5:00 PM 5:15 – 5:45 PM
Sunday, September 13
Intermediate Sunday 10:00 AM 10:15 – 11:00 AM
Adv 4 Sunday 11:15 AM 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM
Adv 3 Sunday 12:30 PM 12:45 – 1:45 PM
Adv 1 & 2 Sunday 2:00 PM 2:15 – 3:30 PM
Audition Schedule

2026 Auditions

LEVEL DAY ARRIVE AUDITION
BALLET 5/6 Sept 12, Saturday 12:45 1:00 – 1:15
BALLET/JAZZ 1 Sept 12, Saturday 1:30 1:45 – 2:00
BALLET/JAZZ 2 Sept 12, Saturday 2:15 2:30 – 2:45
PETITE Sept 12, Saturday 3:00 3:15 – 3:45
MINI Sept 12, Saturday 4:00 4:15 – 4:45
 JUNIOR  Sept 12, Saturday  5:00 5:15 – 5:45
       
INTERMEDIATE Sept 13, Sunday 10:00 10:15 – 11:00
ADV 4 Sept 13, Sunday 11:15 11:30 – 12:15
ADV 3 Sept 13, Sunday 12:30 12:45 – 1:45
ADV 2 Sept 13, Sunday 2:00 2:15 – 3:15
ADV 1 Sept 13, Sunday 3:30 3:45 – 4:45

Photo Gallery

NUTCRACKER 2024

MKSD Nutcracker

December 13, 14, 15, 2024 @ Collegiate School’s Oates Theater

Audition

AUDITIONS AT MKSD STUDIO BY LEVEL

Audition Attire: Any color leotard, pink/flesh tights, ballet and pointe shoes if applicable. Skirts allowed.

$350 Participation Tuition – Must pre-register (tuition may be added to your fall invoice; otherwise due at audition)

 

Saturday, September 14

Ballet 5/6 Level: Check in 1:15pm; Audition Class 1:30 – 1:45pm

 

Saturday, September 14

Ballet/Jazz 6-8 Level: Check in 2:00pm; Audition Class 2:15 – 2:45pm

 

Saturday, September 14

Petite Level: Check in 3:00pm; Audition Class 3:15 – 3:45pm

 

Saturday, September 14

Mini Level: Check in 4:00pm; Audition Class 4:00 – 4:30pm

Saturday, September 14

Junior Level: Check in 4:15pm; Audition Class 4:30 – 5:00pm

 

Sunday, September 15

Intermediate Level: Check in 10:00am; Audition Class: 10:15 – 11:00am

 

Sunday, September 15

Advanced 4 Level: Check in 11:15am; Audition Class 11:30 – 12:15pm

 

Sunday, September 15

Advanced 3 Level: Check in 12:30pm Audition Class 12:45 – 1:45 

 

Sunday, September 15

Advanced 2 Level: Check in 2:00pm

Audition Class 2:15 – 3:15pm

 

Sunday, September 15

Advanced 1 Level: Check in 3:30pm

Audition Class 3:45 – 4:45pm

 

 

Purchase Tickets!

What should my dancer expect at the audition?

Check in: You will be pre-registered. Simply check in at the assigned table to receive your audition number. Secure this to the front of your leotard/shirt for boys. We’ll provide the pins. You will then wait in the supervised dancer holding/warm up studio (sorry, no parents in here) until called for audition as a group.

Audition Class: Age and level appropriate ballet class to Nutcracker music. Your child does not have to come with anything prepared, other than wearing their MKSD ballet dress code.

Dismissal: Your child will be dismissed at the scheduled time. Please be mindful that we have several groups coming, and prefer swift exits.

What roles are my child eligible for? When do we find out about casting?

Each year we cast our show differently, to allow for overall production growth. Every role in our production is important! Casting will be emailed out in the week following the audition. We have 3 casts: A/B/C all equally amazing.

Cast A/B/C distribution helps us to give more dancers and opportunity to shine! This means your child may “share” their role with another child. When we practice we say “let me see cast a”, or “now let’s see cast b, or c”. The dancers need to know which one they are! (This will be clear on the cast list)

When are rehearsals?

Which day and what time depends on your child’s role. Our Nutcracker rehearsals are on Saturday and/or Sunday. Weekly Rehearsals will begin September 30 for some roles, and others will begin October 7. We try to keep a consistent time for each cast role, and email out several rehearsal weeks in advance.

Does my child need to attend all rehearsals?

We prefer so. However, we realize it’s a busy time of year. Please try not to miss more than one weekend. In the event that a dancer misses excessive practice and we they are not able to maintain choreography, we may need to remove them from the cast.

Do I need to purchase a ticket?

Yes. We will send you a direct link via email when tickets go on sale. (typically mid-October)