Académie Auditions
Auditions for the 2026-2027 Academic Year are now open for 3rd, 4th and 5th-grade students.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
- Incoming 3rd-grade students do not need previous dance training. Basic flexibility, rhythm, and coordination are evaluated. Enthusiasm and a genuine interest in dance are major factors in the tryout process. Incoming 4th-grade students must have 1 year of formal ballet training, and incoming 5th-grade students must have at least 2 years of formal ballet training.
- Continuation in the program will be based on the student’s progress in classical ballet. Focus, physical ability, attendance, and/or behavior will be evaluated through ballet progress, assessments, and report cards.
- All female students should wear a solid-colored leotard or one-piece swimsuit, no tights for 3rd grade, pink tights for 4th and 5th grade, and hair in a bun. All male students should wear fitted bottoms or shorts with a fitted T-shirt. All students should have their hair neat and off their faces.
REGISTRATION PROCESS:
Auditions for the 3rd grade 2026-2027 academic year will take place on April 25 and 26, 2026. Auditions for the 4th grade 2026-2027 academic year will take place on April 25, 2026. Auditions for the 5th grade 2026-2027 academic year will be held by appointment only, April 28-30, 2026, during the regular fourth-grade Ballet class. All students must register online by 2 p.m. on April 23, 2026. To begin, please select the appropriate registration form button below based on the student's grade level.
For a complete list of FAQs, the invitation letters by grade level, a virtual tour link and other helpful details, please click the View Académie Resources button below.
Trainee, Company & Pre-Professional Auditions
25/26 Season Auditions Are Now Closed
COMPANY/PPP & TRAINEE AUDITION DATES & REGISTRATION:
Auditions are now closed for the Company/PPP and Trainee 2025-2026 season. Please check back during Spring 2026 for next season's audition information.
- NFB’s Trainee Program auditions are designed for students in the 6th grade and up with at least three years of training.
- Company auditions are open to students entering the 8th grade and up with at least six years of formal training. Additionally, female dancers must have two years on pointe to audition for the NFB Company.
- Pre-Professional Program auditions are for advanced students with at least six years of classical ballet training. Female dancers should have at least three years of experience on pointe.
Auditions are by appointment only and held at the NFB Studios in downtown Fort Walton Beach. Pre-registration, an audition fee, and a 4x6 headshot of the dancer are required. For additional audition information, please click the Resources button.
Professional dancers wishing to audition for demi-soloist, soloist, and principal guest artist positions should contact NFB Artistic Director Todd Eric Allen to schedule an audition. Dancers may also send a headshot, a bio, a few dance pictures, and four short video clips of both classical and contemporary/modern works.
Nutcracker Auditions
Auditions for The Nutcracker 2025 Are Closed
Nutcracker Auditions Process:
Auditions for NFB’s 2025 production of The Nutcracker are now closed.
Auditions typically take place in September before the November production of The Nutcracker each year. Registration is required to audition, and information on the 2026 process will be posted next year. No walk-in registrations will be taken on audition day. Dancers audition for the following roles: Party Children, Mice, Angels, Bakers, Dutch Children, Cookies, & Arabian Girls. All Auditioning Dancers MUST be current students in NFB Académie or Community School and 4th Grade to 13 years of age.