Echuca dancers crack onto State ballet stage

But Echuca's Ivy Walker, Tommy Kilburn and Hayley Irving will be making those dreams come true as they were cast in the State Youth Ballet Company's production of The Nutcracker.

The three travelled down to Melbourne for the gruelling audition process, something none of them had experienced before.

“We had to learn a number of dances and perform them in front of five judges,” Hayley said.

“It was a bit scary, but good at the same time,” Tommy said.

This experience wasn't just nerve-racking for the children either.

“With most auditions we aren't allowed to be there,” Tommy's mum Sarah said.

“They started cutting dancers and the kids didn't come out and I knew they were still in it,” Hayley's mum Alisha said.

There were 168 students from all across Victoria who audition for the Nutcracker.

Of that, 24 students were offered spots in the 7-9 age group with around 70 kids were offered places in total.

And needless to say, it's been an exciting time for them and their families since the minute they heard the good news.

“I got the email at about 2 o'clock in the morning and I waited until the morning to tell her, but it was just so exciting,” she said.

“I knew it would mean so much to her and she's worked so hard to get here.”

“It's going to be a great experience and I'm so excited,” Tommy said.

At the same time, Ivy and her family were out of the country, in Switzerland to be exact when the news came through.

“We were told it would be about a three week turn around and within a week we were notified,” Kelley said.

“The kids were playing on a lake in the middle of Switzerland when I got the email and it was just so exciting.”

The three dancers were cast as members of the corps de ballet and will dance in groups throughout the production.

They will be working hard with weekly trips to Melbourne for training and practice before the big performances in December.

The superstars will be performing at the Karralyka Centre in Ringwood on December 21 and 22.