PDM Productions, Inc. is a non-profit organization created and founded by Tristi and Norvell Robinson, former principal dancers of Richmond Ballet. PDM’s mission is to provide educational experiences in the performing arts to children and adults in every community, regardless of age, skill, experience, or financial ability. Although we offer workshops and scholarships, our flagship production is our annual performance called The Nutcracker Sweet. Our cast and stage crew members begin at age 4 and after that there’s no limit and have a variety of skill levels and backgrounds. All a person needs is the desire to be involved. They represent the areas of Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, Louisa, Petersburg, Powhatan, Prince George and the City of Richmond.
All performances are set for Friday, December 6 – Sunday, December 8, at Manchester High School, 12601 Bailey Bridge Rd, Midlothian.
Yes, take a look at this year’s Events Calendar on the website.
Vibe Dance Complex, 5000 Commonwealth Centre Pkwy, Midlothian.
Saturday, September 14
2:00-3:15 PM – 4-7 yrs
3:30-4:45 PM – 8-11 yrs
5:00-6:15 PM – 12 yrs to adult
Sunday, September 15
1:00-2:15 PM – 8-11 yrs
2:30-3:45 PM – 12 yrs to adult
4:00-5:15 PM – CALL BACKS! (By Invitation Only)
Unlike most Nutcracker productions, The Nutcracker Sweet participants do not need to be affiliated with a dance school to perform. In 2023, PDM Productions welcomed performers from 11 Richmond area dance studios. These auditions are open to anyone who has ever had a desire or dream to perform in a production such as The Nutcracker Sweet. The auditions are for dancers, non-dancers, actors, non-actors… the experienced and the novice. Everyone within the ages of 4 to adult are welcomed. Auditioners are not auditioning for a “specific role.” Auditioners will be cast for role(s) according to the following: age group, skill, and experience.
Please note, auditioners should arrive 30 minutes prior to their audition time, wearing proper dance or movement attire. NO JEWELRY, earring studs are OK.
Female dancers: black leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, hair should be pulled back away from the face into a bun and should bring their tap shoes and pointe shoes, if they have them.
Male dancers: white tshirt, black tights, and ballet slippers and should bring their tap shoes, if they have them.
Non-dancers, actors, novices: comfortable attire that allows movement and stretching. No jeans.
Results will be posted on the website on Wednesday, September 18, by midnight. These results and other communication will arrive via email as well. Auditioners will then be asked to accept or decline their role(s) by completing the online form by Friday, September 20, by 6pm.
The fee to participate in this production is $410 per performer. This fee helps cover all production costs, costume and accessory creations, updates & cleaning, volunteer background checks, insurance, studio space & storage rentals, venue rental, lighting/ sound techs, and performance recordings for #4 shows, etc. This fee is non-refundable.
For families who have more than one performer participating in the production, discounts are available. The first performer’s fee is $410.00. Each additional sibling will receive a 10% discount making the participation fee $369.00 for each participating sibling.
Performers will receive an invoice for their participation fees. Payments will be accepted thru Saturday, September 21st, online and at Mandatory Welcome Information Meeting. Deadline is Saturday, September 21st.
Yes, payment plans are available. Please contact info@TheNutcrackerSweet.com for details.
No. We will provide costumes and accessories for this production. Please note, costumes must be returned in the original condition or a $100.00 fee will be charged. However, depending on the role, the performer is responsible for providing his/her dance shoes, tights, socks, undergarments, hair and makeup supplies. A list will be provided in your Welcome Information Packet.
Yes. Both opportunities are available. To apply for financial aid, please complete the form found online and bring it to the audition. The maximum amount of this aid is 50% of the participation fee. With same Financial Aid form, we also offer the opportunity to file for a “Need” scholarship, which covers 100% of the participation fee.
All rehearsals will take place at Vibe Dance Complex on Saturdays and Sundays. Rehearsal schedules vary each week depending on roles, meaning that your child may have rehearsal on one or both days.
Our window of possible rehearsal times falls on Saturdays, between 1:00 – 8:00 pm and/or Sundays, between 10:30am – 7:00pm. Costume Fittings may be scheduled on Friday evenings. The weekly schedules will be emailed on the Wednesday (by midnight) prior to each weekend. Schedules may vary week to week.
During weekend rehearsals, performers will be dropped off and picked up in front of the studio, unless you receive notice of a change. During each rehearsal and performance, each performer will be required to sign in and out. Adult volunteers will be available to monitor the check in at the studio (for younger performers) and at theater. During Theater Week, performers MUST be escorted to/from the Sign-In/Sign-Out table. Once performers leave the studio or theater building, PDM PRODUCTIONS is no longer responsible for them. More information will be discussed at the Mandatory Welcome Information Meeting on Saturday, September 21, 2:00-4:00 pm, at Vibe Dance Complex.
Only those who are assisting as volunteers will be permitted into the building for the auditions. During rehearsals, parents will be allowed to wait in the lobby area, but not in front of the studio doorways and hallway areas.
Yes. It is an expectation of parents/ guardians of participating performers to volunteer throughout this production. Our volunteers are the backbone of “The Nutcracker Sweet”. It’s only with our volunteers that we can produce amazing performances of this size and caliber. It is required that a parent (or family member) share time, skills, and effort. While we prefer to have your time and talents, if you are unable to volunteer, then you will be required to pay the Volunteer Fee of $250.00.
If a performer, volunteer, or staff member has any type of illness, other than “the common cold”, we ask that you stay home. Let us know of the illness, but do not come. This applies to the audition, rehearsals, and performances. If there is an alert of a flu, Covid, or some other type of very contagious illness, only performers, staff and volunteers (who are performing tasks) will be allowed in the buildings at all times (this includes during auditions).
Performers, volunteers and staff will be asked to sanitize their hands upon entering and exiting the buildings and at any other times, as needed. This protocol is subject to change at any time. If your performer is ill and will be absent, reach out to (804)-924-6220, (804)-874-2196 or (804)-615-5778 to leave a message. These numbers are for EMERGENCY ONLY situations.
You may contact us at any time with other questions by emailing us at info@TheNutcrackerSweet.com.
will take place at
Manchester High School
(12601 Bailey Bridge Rd, Midlothian, VA)
