Emily Low 2nd season with Ballet 314 Emily Low is a dancer from the St. Louis area and is in her first season with Ballet 314. She has been dancing since she was 2 years old and it has always been her passion. Throughout her training, Emily would spend her summers doing training intensives such as St. Louis Ballet, Big Muddy, Peridance Capezio Centre, and Treadfast Dance Co. Emily graduated from the Southeast Missouri State Dobbins Conservatory of Theatre of Dance with a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in Dance. While at school she trained under Hilary Peterson, Philip Edgecombe, Ashley Tate, Arianna Russ, Thomas Proctor, and Alyssa Alger. She also worked in residency with Emily Haussler, Mike Esperanza, and Joshua Blake Carter. She is trained in ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, and tap. She has performed with with Cape Specialty Entertainment as well. Emily is excited to continue her art with Ballet 314 and to continuing growing as an artist and a person with the company. Return

Robert Poe Artistic Director robert@ballet314.org Biography A native of Aiken, South Carolina, Robert Poe has enjoyed a professional dancing career since 2004. For almost 17 years, he has performed with Columbia City Ballet, Cedar Lake II, Nashville Ballet, and the Nashville Opera before coming to St. Louis to dance with Missouri Ballet Theatre. In 2011, he became a founding member of The Big Muddy Dance Company and spent 9 seasons rehearsing, performing and choreographing with the company before leaving to flourish his own non-profit dance organization, Ballet 314. Since coming to St. Louis, Robert has also appeared with local organizations like the St. Louis Ballet and performed for two summers with the Opera Theatre of St. Louis, where he was part of the original cast of the world premiere opera, "Fire Shut Up In My Bones". He has taught for numerous dance studios and Universities across St. Louis and Illinois as well as throughout the South East and his choreography has been seen on several dance companies throughout the years; Nashville Ballet, Nashville Ballet II, Missouri Ballet Theatre, The Big Muddy Dance Company, La Voute, Leverage, Missouri Baptist University and most recently he has created a collaborative, dance centric work on La Voute inspired by "The 63106 Project" in partnership with Before Ferguson, Beyond Ferguson. In February of 2019, Robert co founded Ballet 314, St. Louis' newest ballet company, and serves as Co-Artistic Director with Rachel Bodi. Through this company, he has co-published a children's book, "The Nutcracker and the 1904 World's Fair", based off of the ballet he co-created and premiered in December of 2019, spearheaded a community initiative entitled Project Change which encompassed the premiere of his first full length ballet entitled "Ragtime, the American Experience" in July 2021. Ballet 314's mission is to celebrate local talent in the community and to start showcasing diversity and equity in the classical dance arts. Back to Leardership

Aubrey Vaughan Founding Company Member Growing up in Cullman, Alabama, Aubrey began her dance training at Cullman Ballet Theatre and the Alabama School of Fine Arts. She also received her earlier training under the instruction of Natalya Getman and Andrei Bossov, at the Bossov Ballet Theatre School, in Pittsfield, Maine. She traveled with Bossov Ballet to St.Petersburg, Russia to perform at the 2009 International Ballet Festival. In 2010, Aubrey began her professional career as a Nashville Ballet trainee and was elevated to a company apprentice in 2015. Under the direction of Paul Vasterling, Aubrey enjoyed performing in the following works: Carmina Burana, Peter Pan, Romeo & Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Swan Lake, role of Spanish in The Nutcracker, Seasons, and Something Wicked. While at Nashville Ballet, she had the opportunity to work with choreographers including Gina Patterson, Banning Bouldin, and resident choreographer, Christopher Stuart. In 2017, Aubrey performed at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. where the Nashville Ballet made its debut appearance performing The Ben Folds Project as a part of the Ballet Across America series. During the 2016-2018 seasons, Aubrey danced as a company member with Ballet Quad Cities. Her highlighted performances included the lead role of Sugar Plum Fairy and Rat Queen in the Nutcracker, the Mad Hatter in BQC’s debut performance of Alice in Wonderland, and Lucy in Deanna Carter’s Dracula. Since moving to St. Louis Aubrey has had the opportunity to dance with the Modern American Dance Company (MADCO) and she is currently in her sixth season as a member of Ballet 314. Aubrey and her husband are expecting their first child this fall and are thrilled to be growing their family. Return

NUTCRACKER COMMUNITY CAST Dance alongside Ballet 314’s professional dancers in “The Nutcracker & The World’s Fair”. Auditions are open to youth and adult dancers with any dance experience. There’s a role for everyone! Experience this incredible opportunity to perform this re-imagined holiday classic. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS CONTACT US What makes this Nutcracker different? "The Nutcracker & the World’s Fair" is an original Ballet 314 production! You will join Clara and her sisters on an adventure through the unique sights, sounds, and sweets of the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. What is the cost to audition? Open audition fees are $20 You can pay this fee online or bring cash/check made payable to Ballet 314. When is the performance and where? December 11-13, 2026 | Edison Theatre When do the students rehearse? All rehearsals will take place on Sunday afternoons and begin in September 6th, 2026 They will take place in two locations: Central Studio in the Central West End with Mr. Robert and Ms. Marcela or at Devine Performing Arts in Wildwood with Mrs. Rachel and Ms. Ashley Parents/Dancers can pick their preferred location during registration. Please be aware that different roles rehearse in different locations. What is the cost to participate in this Nutcracker? Youth and adult cast have a $225 participation fee. Families with two or more participants will receive a discount of 15% off the final total. What is included in this fee? $225 participation fee for Youth and Adult Cast Members Includes: 10 Weeks of Coaching: Receive personalized coaching from our expert directors and rehearsal assistants, designed to elevate your performance skills. Costumes* : All performers' costumes will be provided and tailored to fit by our wardrobe team. *Does not include performance undergarments and required shoes.* Exclusive Class with the Company: Participants 18+ are invited to take ballet class alongside Ballet 314's professional dancers during dress rehearsals and performances. Participants under the age of 18+ will take class from a Ballet 314 company member. Youth Performance Mentorship Workshop: Young performers will benefit from an intimate workshop experience with Ballet 314's own professional company members regarding backstage etiquette, stage makeup and hair, etc. Cast T-Shirt: Cast members can look forward to getting their t-shirts signed by fellow performers and members of the professional company! Individual Professional Photograph in Costume: All participants will have a professional photo taken in costume to encapsulate their Nutcracker experience. Performance Streaming Link*: Unlimited access to video streams of both casts following the Nutcracker performance. Relieve the magic anytime you wish with this exclusive benefit! *Video links will be sold at $35/cast following the production. Do you have scholarships? Yes, every year we have need-based scholarships! Once you register for an audition, we will send you the application.