Audition for Dayton Ballet
Dayton Performing Arts Alliance is pleased to announce auditions for the 2023-2024 Season of Dayton Ballet, one of the oldest professional ballet companies in the United States.
Dayton Performing Arts Alliance (DPAA) is a single, integrated organization encompassing the Dayton Ballet, Opera, and Philharmonic—the only organization in the nation to include all three art forms. Our fundamental conviction is that the arts are for everyone, and our driving purpose is to inspire everyone to fall in love with the performing arts. The Ballet, Opera, and Philharmonic Orchestra each present their own series, and many productions involve two or even three of these ensembles. The three Artistic Directors rank equally in the organization, and all artistic planning is conducted in common.
The professional ensembles are complemented by a wide network of learning and community engagement programs. These include the Dayton Ballet School, founded in 1927 by ballet luminaries Josephine and Hermene Schwarz, as well as a three-level youth orchestra system, a pre-professional ballet program, an Opera Artists-in-Residence program for young artists, traveling chamber music ensembles, special productions for student audiences, and a wide variety of programs offered in schools and other community venues. Learning and Community Engagement programs serve up to 75,000 students and teachers. Dayton Ballet Company Members are a crucial part of a rich artistic environment for students in the Dayton region. We believe the arts are for everyone, and that extends to our commitment to affordability through $5 tickets available to nearly all DPAA mainstage performances.
2023-2024 Season + Venue
Full repertoire for 2023-2024 can be found here. Programming currently includes five main stage productions: 2 story ballets, 1 repertory performance, and 1 collaboration with the opera and philharmonic.
Dayton Ballet performs in two world-class theater venues located in downtown Dayton: the Victoria Theatre (1,154 seats) and the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Center for the Performing Arts (2,300 seats).
The Future of Artistic Leadership
After eleven years of leading Dayton Ballet, Artistic Director Karen Russo Burke will conclude her service in April 2023 with the production of Peter Pan.
A national search for a new Artistic Director is currently underway, with an appointment expected in early summer 2023.
Dayton Ballet staff, with partnership and support from DPAA’s President and CEO, are conducting auditions for the professional company to complement the current 20-member company. Our hope is to present the new Artistic Director with an exciting, dedicated corps of dancers who are ready to usher in a new era of ballet in Dayton.
Audition Information
Dayton Ballet seeks applicants with strong classical technique and prior performance experience.
All positions for female dancers have been filled.
Male dancer applications are still being accepted. Applicants must between 5’7” – 6’3”.
Round 1: Video applications only
Round 2: Selected dancers will be invited via email to participate in an in-person audition class.
The audition video must require one neo-classical variation. Female applicants must dance in pointe shoes for this variation. Videos must also include a second variation showcasing the applicant’s versatility. Pointe shoes are not required for the second variation.
Contract Period: 2023-2024 contracts will begin in September 2023 and conclude in April 2024.
Application Materials
Resume or CV (Acceptable files .doc/.dox or .pdf)
- Contact details: mailing address and email address.
- Information: Date of birth, height in feet, and inches.
- Background: Dance training and performance experience
Photos – .jpg or .pdf
- Headshot
- Dance Photo – One or more full-body dance photographs clearly showing the dancer’s lines and proportions.
Links to Videos – YouTube or Vimeo links preferred. Please be sure to include the video password, if applicable.
Applications without complete information will not be considered.
How to Apply
To submit your application for consideration, click the button below and complete the form.
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA)
Dayton Performing Arts Alliance is committed to creating a collaborative culture of inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA) for all people who interact and engage with our performances, programming, and teams.
Our goal is to attract, develop, retain, and serve a diverse group of employees, performers, volunteers, members, program participants, and Board members to create a culture where all are welcome and can contribute to their fullest potential.
Dayton Performing Arts Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer.