Each September the Tony Williams Dance Center in Jamaica Plain hosts a citywide audition for the Urban Nutcracker. Talented dancers ages 8 and up try out for a spot in the contemporary remake of the winter ballet.

The six-hour audition starts in the morning and runs until the afternoon, with each section dedicated to different age groups. Auditions are free, but dancers are responsible for their own attire. For example, tap shoes for tap roles and hip hop sneakers for hip hop roles. Other dance attire also depends on performance parts including:

• Leotard

• skin-tone tights

• slim t-shirt

• black tights

• ballet slippers

• pointe shoes

• hair slicked back

• long hair in a bun,

• headband (for bangs)

The holiday event seeks to celebrate the diversity in inner-city dance. Learn more about the Boston-inspired show in the 2017 trailer below.

Questions can be sent to urbannutcracker@cityballetofboston.org.