Dear Nutcracker Auditioners,

We are excited to be entering “Nutcracker” season with a better perspective than we had last year! Our enthusiasm, however, is tempered by a continuing and concerning community health situation.

Ballet Memphis is in almost daily conversations with our peer ballet companies across the country, local performing arts groups and venues, as well as the Shelby County Health Department, to guide our decision-making about our performances.

You should know that Ballet Memphis has required all full- and part-time staff and dancers to be fully vaccinated for their protection, and yours. The Orpheum Theatre, as well as other venues, also requires staff, performers, stagehands, and volunteers to be vaccinated.

With this in mind, students who are under the age of 12 and, therefore, not eligible to be vaccinated will not be allowed to perform in “Nutcracker” with us this season. Students who are 12 and over who intend to audition for “Nutcracker” must have received one dose of the vaccine by September 19, 2021 and be fully vaccinated by November 1, 2021.

This vaccine requirement also includes parent volunteers who would like to help backstage or at the boutique in the Orpheum Lobby.

Vaccine cards must be presented at the audition on Sunday, September 19. First dose or full vaccination will be recorded at that time. Students and parents who require a second dose will need to present their card showing full vaccination to Jenna Lester by November 1.

We know that this is a disappointment for your young students - it is a disappointment for our staff, dancers, and instructors, as well. We look forward to “Nutcracker” as much as you do, but we know that keeping our students, staff, dancers, and Orpheum partners safe must take top priority.

If you have any questions, please contact Janet Parke at jparke@balletmemphis.org.