City Ballet of Cleveland Audition 2025-2026 Season
City Ballet of Cleveland is a pre-professional dance company of the highest caliber in Northeast Ohio. We foster every dancer’s ability and promote a love of dance through pre-professional training, performance, and community engagement.
Date: Sunday, April 27
Time: 1:00pm-3:00pm
Parents’ Meet and Greet During the Audition
Mandatory Meeting with the Director at 3:00 pm- 3:30 pm
The City Ballet of Cleveland (CBC) audition is open to all serious and committed ballet dancers ages 10–21. The Company has two annual performances in May and December and smaller performances at festivals, local schools, and more. Applications are available online: Audition Form | City Ballet of Cleveland.
Potential dancers can be students from any area dance school. All dancers must be at least 10 years old by September 2025 and currently take ballet, and either modern or jazz. If you do not take ballet classes at Cleveland City Dance and are accepted into the Company, your current dance school will be asked to sign off monthly to confirm you are taking the required dance training necessary to be a member of the City Ballet of Cleveland.
All potential Company members, including current Company members, must audition in the Spring prior to the upcoming season. A $25 non-refundable audition fee (paid online or via check or cash). Applications are due Thursday, April 24. The application fee increases to $40 after Thursday. The audition class will be taught by the Company Artistic Director, Courtney J. Laves-Mearini.
Note: Company members will receive preferential casting in all Company productions.
Notice of nondiscriminatory policy: City Ballet of Cleveland does not discriminate based on race, color, national and ethnic origin, ancestry or nationality, religion, and gender or gender identity in its admissions policies, scholarship programs, or any other company activities administered.
Virtual Audition
If unable to attend the in-person audition, one may submit a virtual audition on a private YouTube channel. The audition requirements are below:
- A 15–20 minute demonstration of barre and center technique.
- The barre technique should include pliés, battement tendus, battement jété, ronde de jambe, passé, développé en croix, grands battements and balances on one leg.
- The center technique should include adagio, pirouettes, petite allegro and grande allegro. (For female dancers on pointe include relevés in first, sous sus, éschappés and retiré balance)
- A classical variation one to two minutes in length. (En pointe for advanced dancers). This variation will show your technical abilities and performing presence.
Email the video link with a brief resume and photograph in arabesque by Thursday, April 24, to:
Courtney@cityballetofcleveland.org
Please call if you have any questions or concerns 216-848-9088.
City Ballet of Cleveland is located at 13108 Shaker Square, Cleveland, OH 44120.
