Young people from the region are invited to audition and play children’s roles in the show “Casse-Noisette!” Magic of Christmas Ballet” alongside an international cast of world-class artists from Ukraine, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan and more.

The ballet will be presented in Charlottesville on November 20 at the Paramount Theater at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Local ballet students will fill the roles of children in the show.

In this unique opportunity, students will be coached by the classically trained Ukrainian soloists who teach them not only choreography but also the magnificent artistry of ballet in a bold and unique interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s holiday masterpiece. At this time of international conflict, these soloists from Ukraine’s greatest opera houses bring a timely message of peace and harmony to American students.

Local youngsters aged 6-17 can audition for the roles of party kids, mice, snowflakes, snow maidens and variations. Auditions for the children’s roles will take place on August 20 at the Wilson School of Dance at 3114 Proffit Road in Charlottesville, and on August 27 at the Ballet School, located at 2409 Ivy Road, in Charlottesville at 1:30 p.m.

Ukrainian audition director Anna Trafimova will lead the selection process.

The children selected for the cast will rehearse for weeks at the local studio to prepare for the performances which will take place under the bright lights of the Paramount Theatre.

The youth cast will have costume fittings with hand-sewn costumes designed by Arthur Oliver. A general rehearsal will take place on stage with the professional company led by the Ukrainian artistic director Nobuhiro Terada of the Kyiv National School.

Tickets for the show are available at www.nutcracker.com

For more information on auditions, visit www.nutcracker.com/dance