Ballet dancers performing on stage, with one dancer in a peach tutu and others in blue dresses, all wearing floral headbands, performing a dance routine.
Young girls in ballet costumes performing on stage, with one girl holding toy guns, while others extend their arms and dance.
A group of young ballet dancers in blue costumes and flower crowns performing on stage with a purple curtain background.
Ballet dancers on stage dressed in candy-themed costumes, with a young girl in the center holding a large red and white spiraled lollipop. The background features a red curtain and stage lighting.
Ballet dancer with six young children dressed as pandas on stage.
Young children dressed as toy soldiers performing a dance routine on stage
Young girls dressed as candy canes performing a dance on stage, holding red and white peppermint lollipop props.
Three ballet dancers performing on stage, two women in tutus on either side and a man in the center, all balancing on one foot with their other leg extended, holding hands.
Ballet dancers performing on stage, with a lead dancer in mid-air leap wearing a pink tutu and four dancers in blue tutus in the background against a purple curtain.
A group of young girls dressed in costumes performing on a stage, with one girl in a white dress holding a gift and the others reaching out to her, some laughing and smiling.
Three ballet dancers in blue tutus with floral decorations performing on stage with purple curtains in the background.
Group of young girls in colorful traditional dresses performing a dance on stage with a woman in the background.
Three young ballet dancers performing on stage in black costumes with red accents, striking elegant poses.
Ballet dancers in blue tutus with floral crowns perform on stage with purple curtains in the background.
A ballerina performing on stage in a red and yellow costume with a headdress, captured mid jump with one leg extended backward and arms outstretched.
A group of ballet dancers in colorful costumes taking a bow on stage after a performance.
Five women dressed as early 20th-century maids performing a choreographed dance on stage.
A male and female ballet dancers perform on stage, with the male lifting the female in the air, both dressed in blue costumes.
A young girl in a white dress performs on stage with a toy soldier prop, with two other children sitting on the stage in the background.
Two ballet dancers, a male and a female, perform on stage with a dark background and red curtains. The female dancer is wearing a pink tutu and pointe shoes, smiling with her arm raised. The male dancer is dressed in a white shirt, beige vest, and bl
Young ballerina dressed as an angel kneels on stage, aiming a bow and arrow with a heart-shaped tip, while other dancers dressed as angels in pink tutus and white wings perform in the background.
Children dressed as angels performing on stage, wearing white dresses, wings, and halos, with some kneeling and others standing.
A young girl in a white ballet costume holding a stuffed dog on stage with green curtains in the background.
Four ballet dancers dressed as maids performing on stage with a dark curtain background.
A ballet teacher in a light blue and pink tutu dress interacting with young children dressed in adorable white puppy costumes with black ears and paws during a dance performance on stage.
Ballet dancers on stage, including young girls in colorful tutus and costumes from the Nutcracker, performing a dance routine with an audience in the background.
Ballet dancers on stage, with one in a peach tutu and four others in blue tutus, performing under purple stage lighting.
Ballet dancer performing a leap on stage with purple curtain backdrop, wearing an orange and white tutu, with two other dancers in blue dresses in the background.
A ballet dancer in a pastel-colored princess dress smiling as she interacts with four children in polar bear costumes on a stage.
Two ballet dancers performing on stage: a male dancer with dark hair, wearing a white shirt, gold vest, and black pants, holds the hand of a female dancer on pointe, wearing a pink tutu and beige tights, against a purple curtain background.
Six young girls in polar bear costumes performing on stage with a blue curtain backdrop.
Ballet dancers in blue tutus performing on stage with purple curtains in the background.
Ballet dancers dressed in blue tutus performing on stage with purple backdrop.
Two young girls performing on stage in costumes, one dressed as a maid and the other as a princess, with a green curtain background.
Ballet dancers performing on stage, with one dancer in a pink tutu central, and several dancers in blue tutus in the background.
Group of ballet dancers in colorful costumes on stage, posing for a photo after a performance.
A male and female ballet dancers performing on stage against a purple curtain. The female dancer is in a pink tutu, standing en pointe with her left leg raised high, while the male dancer supports her with his right arm, and they hold hands elegantly
Children dressed as polar bears performing on stage during a dance recital.
Ballet dancers performing on stage, with a male dancer holding a female dancer in a pose, with three other ballerinas in the background.

The Nutcracker 2026

Dec 4th & 5th

Simpsonville Arts Center

2026 Open Auditions Ages 5+

December 4-5, 2026

August 21 & August 22

For a full rehearsal schedule please email us.

  • Theater troupe of children dressed in costumes, dancing on stage in a ballet performance, with some performers dressed as animals or characters from a story.

    Auditions: Aug 21-22

    Friday, August 21

    Party Scene Audition

    6:30 to 7:15 PM

    (Audition for Cornerstone dancers in Burgundy and Teal classes. Dancers auditioning for the Party Scene should also attend the Nutcracker audition on Friday or Saturday for their age group.)*

    Ages 13+ En Pointe

    7:15 to 8:45 PM

    (Audition for Snow, Waltz, Maids, Divertissements, and soloists)

    Saturday, August 22

    Ages 5 to 7 - 1:30 - 2:15 PM

    Ages 8 to 10 - 2:30 - 3:15 PM

    Ages 11+ - 3:30 - 4:30 PM

    A $20 audition fee is due at the time of audition registration.

    Open to all dancers in the community!

    Female dancers en pointe should wear a black leotard with pink tights and ballet shoes. A solid black skirt or shorts can be worn ages 10+.

    Boys should wear a black leggings, white shirt, white socks and black ballet shoes.

  • A ballerina in a princess costume smiling at four children dressed in panda bear costumes on stage.

    How to register for auditions:

    *Audition registration opens July 5th

    Log into your account or create an account on Dance Studio Pro.

    Select “Nutcracker” Season using the tabs on Dance Studio Pro.

    Register your dancer(s) for the appropriate age group. Dancers who have started pointe work should audition in the “Dancers En Pointe” group. Only Intermediate and advanced pointe dancers will be asked to put on their pointe shoes for auditions.

    If you have any issues please email us at cornerstoneballetsc@gmail.com

    While placement is not guaranteed we strive to find a place for dancers of all skill levels to perform in our Nutcracker.

    Tchaikovsky’s beloved Christmas classic “The Nutcracker” tells the story of Clara, a girl who receives a nutcracker as a Christmas present. In this fairy tale, toys come to life and battle an army of mice. Clara and her nutcracker, transformed into a prince, travel into the Land of Sweets, where they are treated by the Sugar Plum Fairy and sweets representing nations around the world.

  • Ballet dancers in blue tutus and floral crowns performing on stage with a purple backdrop.

    Rehearsals will be held each Friday beginning August 28th and just one Saturday a month.

    Cornerstone Ballet Performing Arts is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization with a focus on making classical ballet accessible to all demographics in our community.

    A portion of all ticket sales and all donations go directly to our scholarship fund. This fund is designed to help dancers who typically would not be able to afford classical ballet training have access to classes, equipment and performance opportunities they otherwise wouldn’t be able to.

    If you are interested in joining us in our mission or would like to make a donation to the scholarship fund please contact us at Cornerstonebaletpac@gmail.com.