The New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA) will hold open auditions for its nationally award-winning NOBA Center for Dance Pre-Professional Dance Program on Thursday, August 4, 2022, and Friday, August 5, 2022. This tuition-free program provides talented, motivated and focused students ages 7 to 18 with intensive instruction in ballet, pointe, modern and repertoire, plus workshops in other dance forms such as hip hop, jazz and West African dance, and unprecedented opportunities to study with world-renowned artists through the Master Artist Series.

Accepted students also perform in NOBA’s exciting annual production of The Nutcracker Suite. Classes are held weekly from September 10, 2022, through May 21, 2023, at NORD partner locations throughout the New Orleans area as well as Tulane University’s McWilliams Hall. Teaching faculty includes highly qualified local instructors, and select students will receive training with Donald Williams, NOBA Master Artist in Residence and former principal dancer with the Dance Theatre of Harlem.

To register for the audition and learn more, visit the audition registration page here.

At least two years prior dance training is recommended prior to auditioning, and a parent/guardian must be present at check-in. Auditions for the 2022-23 academic year Pre-Professional Dance Program will be held at Lyons Rec Center, located at 624 Louisiana Avenue (corner of Tchoupitoulas) at the following times:

• Ages 7-11, Thursday, August 4, Check-in 5:30 p.m., Audition 5:45-7:30 p.m.

• Ages 12-18, Friday, August 5, Check-in 5:30 p.m., Audition 5:45-7:30 p.m.

Through the Master Artist Series, students train year-round with local and visiting artists and are offered unique opportunities such as classes with NOBA Main Stage artists, performances on local and national stages, talent-based scholarships to attend prestigious summer dance programs (e.g. American Ballet Theatre and The Ailey School) and deeply discounted tickets to NOBA Main Stage performances.

“NOBA exposes youth to some of the industry’s most notable teachers, choreographers, directors and dancers,” said Complexions Contemporary Ballet Artistic Director Dwight Rhoden. “It is unparalleled in its reach, and sets a standard for excellence through diversity on all levels.”

Cori Lewis, NOBA alum and dancer with Ballet Hispánico in New York City, said, “Seven years at NOBA gave me countless opportunities and amazing adventures that most professionals have not experienced. NOBA provides you with everything you need to be the best dancer, artist and human that you can be. Dancing over 20 hours a week, working with extremely relevant master artists, the discipline that is instilled and being part of a supportive community are all aspects of NOBA that I think have prepared me for college and life afterwards.”

For detailed audition information and requirements, visit nobadance.com, email [email protected] or call 504-522-0996 ext. 213.