Courtesy photo by Spicer Photography.
RDC Production, or the Reno Dance Co., is seeking local candidates with some dancing experience but will accept anyone with an interest in the show and can follow directions well, said artistic director and choreographer Lesa Dusich.
“What we’re looking for is as many Sparks residents we can get, which would be wonderful because we’re really trying to make this Sparks-owned,” Dusich said.
Reno always has at least several Nutcracker productions, Dusich said, and RDC Production wants to reach out to the youth of Sparks to get them involved.
“We’re looking for residents that have a little dance experience and lots of kids,” she said. “Our show is really elaborate.”
Dusich said there can be a place for everyone and even if someone doesn’t have formal dance training, she has the ability to fit them into any part of the show.
“We don’t want them to think they have to have had a million classes,” she said. “We always start off at each age level with the most basic (choreography) that most anybody can do, then I figure out in which part they belong and how extensive (it will be) and where they’ll end up.”
Dusich said one year ago, when the show was in Elko, she had 85 kids audition and she found a spot for all of them, whether it was putting them in both shows or assigning some to one performance and other candidates to the second show.
“I take who I have and figure out what works best and keep it professional looking,” she said. “That’s what’s important to us. … It would be great to have 80 people that would bring the whole neighborhood in Sparks in to see go see it. … I think Sparks is ready.”
Auditions take place at RDC Productions at 2540 Sutro St., suites 11 and 12 at different times for different ages on Saturday:
* Girls ages 5 -7, 10 a.m.
* Girls ages 8- 10, 11 a.m.
* Girls ages 11 – 12, 12 p.m.
* Boys ages 8 – 12, 1 p.m.
* Men ages 13 and up, 2 p.m.
* Women ages 13 and up, 3 p.m.
On Sunday, auditions for soloists and principal parts will begin at 11 a.m.
The audition will involve filling out a form that details an applicant’s experience, including whether they have previously performed in a “Nutcracker” production in the past or a ballet and availability of schedule. A number will be assigned and soft ballet slippers will be provided.
For the soloists and principals, Dusich assigns small combinations and tries to pair up applicants to see who would look good with whom.
Dusich said some 4-year-olds may be accepted, but if they are, she’ll insist on enrolling them in a class to help them learn the dance moves and about etiquette.
She hopes participation in the production encourages students to pursue dancing or acting as an extracurricular activity.
“Some of them haven’t taken serious lessons and they want to join and give it a shot at dancing,” she said. “It’s good for the soul and the body.”
The RDC Productions “Nutcracker” is in its eighth year. Dusich says RDC is different from most companies because it also puts on contemporary shows with tap and jazz. The company is located off of McCarran Boulevard behind Hug High School.
Dusich founded RDC Productions in 2002 out of a colorful career in dance, having studied with Boston Ballet, danced professionally at Disney World and in New York. She went on to teach and eventually settled in Reno.
“I just felt like Reno was building enough that it was ready for some kind of company to work with students,” she said.
She said the company worked with the Nugget’s Motown production in July and said they were happy enough to host its production at the Sparks hotel casino for the holidays.
RDC’s “Sparks Hometown Nutcracker” will be at John Ascuaga’s Nugget’s Celebrity Showroom on Nov. 29 to kick off the Christmas season at the end of the Thanksgiving weekend with two shows: one at 3 p.m. and one at 7 p.m. Tickets will be about $25, with a smaller charge for children and seniors.
For more information about the auditions, contact Dusich at 852-8360 or 225-2194. She can also be reached via e-mail at lesavee@hotmail.com.
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