It’s been almost two months since the famous dancers of the Abby Lee Dance Company have graced our TV screens (only four weeks if you count dancers Maddie and Mackenzie Ziegler’s guest appearance on “Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition”) but diehard fans are already questioning: when does the new season of "Dance Moms" start?

While Lifetime originally remained mum regarding plans for season four of the hit reality series, which follows a group of competitive young dancers, their equally competitive stage moms and their tyrannical instructor Abby Lee Miller, the network has finally released an air date for the show's highly-anticipated new season. According to the official “Dance Moms” website, season four of the program is set to kick off on Wednesday, January 1, 2014 at 9 p.m. ET. Following episodes are scheduled to air on their usual night, Tuesday’s at 9 p.m. ET.

According to a statement released by the network, a special episode, “Dance Moms Special: Guess Who’s Coming to the Dance?” will air prior to the season four premiere at 8 p.m. ET. “Abby and the moms reunite to hash out the drama of last season,” says the release which also promises updates on the girls as well as “new performances.”

Despite the looming premiere, producers are still searching for new dancers to join the reality series. According to MyLifetime’s casting page, dancers 13 years of age and under looking to audition for the Abby Lee Dance Company elite team are welcomed to apply online by emailing: CastingDanceMoms@gmail.com or by applying in person at one of the two open auditions. While the first open casting in Orlando, Fla., has already passed, two upcoming events, one at Atlanta, Ga., on Nov. 8th and another in NYC on Nov. 22nd/23rd, are still open for registration.

All Moms/dads and their sons/daughters looking to apply are asked to provide basic information regarding their dance competition background, but according to the series’ “IMPORTANT INFO” page, fulfilling additional requests will help candidates chances of potentially winning a spot on the program. “Please encourage friends to register and attend. Having relationships with other applicants may be helpful during the audition process,” reads the statement, which also suggests dancers will more likely be chosen to appear on the show if they attend one of the two (possibly televised) open calls as opposed to only auditioning online. “Abby will teach a combination and will be watching closely for standout dancers... Decisions about dancers is solely at our discretion," said the casting page, which also hints that both children and their parents should dress to impress, especially when it comes to stage makeup.

Miller, one of the stars of "Dance Moms" and the teacher of the Abby Lee Dance Company, can currently be seen as one of three judges on season two of Lifetime's competition series "Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition" on Tuesday's at 9 p.m. ET.

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