Nutcracker 2023
This page is where you will find the most up-to-date information on rehearsal schedules, choreography videos, and production details. Our rehearsal schedules are finalized by The Children’s Ballet artistic staff and may be adjusted if necessary.
Please see the rehearsal schedules below, and note that rehearsals will take place at both studios.
Click here to sign up for a volunteer spot and receive one free ticket (one per person) + early access to tickets before they go on sale to the public. Please sign up before October 31.
EXPECTATIONS
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Attendance: We consider each member of our cast to be a vital and important part of The Nutcracker. Because we take roles very seriously, we ask that you and your child take your potential participation just as seriously. All cast members are expected to commit to attending all scheduled rehearsals and performances. Two (2) excused absences from rehearsals (not including tech week) are permitted, but must be previously communicated to Miss Emily. Any prolonged or uncommunicated absences will result in forfeiture of a student’s role.
Illness: TCB’s existing illness policy (found online or in the student handbook) applies also to rehearsals and performances of The Nutcracker. Absences due to illness are not counted towards a student’s excused absences, but the student is expected to communicate all absences to Miss Emily and review choreography on his/her own (see preparedness clause below).
Attitude: We expect each and every cast member to fully commit to giving their best effort when they share studio and stage. This commitment includes being kind and respectful to all teachers, directors, and fellow cast mates. Any violation of these standards, or the best effort commitment, will result in forfeiture of a student’s role.
Preparedness: Each student is expected to come to rehearsal with knowledge (or specific questions) of choreography that has been taught (particularly at intermediate and advanced levels). Videos are provided here for review outside of rehearsal. Limited rehearsal time means it is important to review and know choreography, so rehearsal can be used for cleaning choreography and creating performance/character details. Any exceeding violation of this expectation may result in forfeiture of a student’s role.
Volunteering: One member per family of participant is expected to volunteer for at least one position (one shift only) during tech week and performances. Positions include backstage help, ushers, ticket table, security, check in, etc. Many hands enable us to keep everyone safe, the performance running smoothly, and participation free for all.
Investment: We do not charge a performance fee to participate in The Nutcracker. However, there is a $35 rental fee per costume (for cleaning) that will be added to your account and is due by September 16.
Costume: All Nutcracker costumes are property of The Children’s Ballet. There is no eating or drinking (except water) in costumes. All costumes and headpieces are to be cared for, hung up properly when not in use, and all costumes and parts returned after each rehearsal and performance. Any violation of this agreement or mis-care of costumes will result in a $15 cleaning fee per costume to the student.
Tights: clean, pink, footed (or convertible) tights; no rips, runs, holes
Shoes: pink ballet shoes (remove ribbons and diamonds); pointe shoes if applicable
Hair: neat, tidy, high bun. Please secure with a hairnet and bobby pins and secure flyaways with hairspray. Headpieces are provided with your costume. Party Scene Dancers: half up, half down with white bow (provided) pinned on top of ½ ponytail.
Makeup: Check out makeup tutorials for younger dancers, intermediate dancers, and advanced dancers. Thank you to Radiant Skin for help with these tutorials!
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
Saturday Rehearsal Schedule
Upper Level Rehearsals (Plainfield)
August 19: 1:00-2:00 pm – Snow Crystals and Snowflakes, 2:00-3:00 pm – Flowers
August 26: 1:00-2:00 pm – Flowers (please note this is a change for 8/26 only)
September 2: 1:00-2:00 pm – Snow Crystals and Snowflakes, 2:00-3:00 pm – Flowers
September 9
Party Scene/Act I rehearsals begin
Danville Studio:
- 1:30-2:30 pm – Party Scene, Marie, Fritzi
Plainfield Studio:
- 1:00-2:00 pm – Flowers
- 2:00-2:30 pm – Snow
- 2:30-3:00 pm – Russian
- 3:00-3:30 pm – Spanish
- 3:30-4:00 pm – Arabian
September 16
Advanced rehearsals only at Danville
Danville Studio:
- 2:00-2:30 pm – Flowers
- 2:30-3:00 pm – Snow
- 3:00-3:30 pm – Russian
- 3:30-4:00 pm – Spanish
- 4:00-4:30 pm – Arabian
September 23 – October 7
Danville Studio:
- 1:30-2:30 pm – Party Scene, Marie, Fritzi
- 2:30-3:15 pm – Soldiers
- 2:45-3:30 pm – Mice
Plainfield Studio:
- 1:00-2:00 pm – Flowers
- 2:00-2:30 pm – Snow
- 2:30-3:00 pm – Russian/Spanish/Arabian
October 14 – October 21
Battle/Angel/Polichinelles/Flurries/Chinese rehearsals begin
Danville Studio:
- 10-10:30 Angels/Seraphim
- 10:30-11 Chinese
- 11-11:30 Flurries/Flurry Princess
- 11:30-12 Polichinelles
- 12:30-1:30 Battle Scene – Marie, Nutcracker, Mice, Mouse Queen, Soldiers
- 1:30-2:30 Party Scene dancers, Marie, Fritzi, party parents, Drosselmeyer
Plainfield Studio:
- 1-2p Flowers
- 2-2:30 Russian/Spanish/Arabian
- 2:30-3 Snow
October 28
Danville Studio:
- 10-10:30 Angels/Seraphim
- 10:30-11 Chinese
- 11-11:30 Flurries/Flurry Princess
- 11:30-12 Polichinelles
- 12:30-1:30 Battle Scene – Marie, Nutcracker, Mice, Mouse Queen, Soldiers
- 1:30-2:30 Party Scene dancers, Marie, Fritzi, party parents, Drosselmeyer
Plainfield Studio:
- 1-2p Flowers
- 2-2:30 Russian/Spanish/Arabian
November 4 – December 2 No rehearsals 11/25
Danville Studio:
- 10-10:30 Angels/Seraphim
- 10:30-11 Chinese
- 11-11:30 Flurries/Flurry Princess
- 11:30-12 Polichinelles
- 12:30-1:30 Battle Scene – Marie, Nutcracker, Mice, Mouse Queen, Soldiers
- 1:30-2:30 Party Scene dancers, Marie, Fritzi, party parents, Drosselmeyer
Plainfield Studio:
- 1-2p Flowers
- 2-2:30 Russian/Spanish/Arabian
- 2:30-3 Snow
December 9-16
Danville Studio:
12:30 – 1:15 pm Drosselmeyer, Party Scene dancers, parents, grandparents (DS)
- Note: Maries and Nutcracker will go over to Plainfield studio to rehearse 1:30-3.
2-2:30p Battle Scene – Mice, Mouse Queen, Soldiers (DS)
Plainfield Studio:
1-2:30p Entrance to Act II, Grand Waltz/Apotheosis – Spanish, Arabian, Russian, Chinese/Chinese Lead, Reed Flutes, polichinelles, angels/seraphim, Marie, Nutcracker
- Note: Chinese, Angels/Seraphim, Polichinelles will run their main dances during this time. Angels will be released by 1:30; Chinese/Chinese lead and Polichinelles will be released by 2pm.
2:30-3:30p Snow Flurries, Flurry Princesses, Snowflakes, Snow Crystals, Dolls, Flowers/Dew Drop, Russian, Reed Flutes, Spanish, Arabian (PS)
- Note: Snow Flurries and Princesses will be released by 3pm. We will run all dances during this hour with minimal cleaning notes.
All regular classes canceled at the studios December 18-22.
Tech Week and Performance
TECH WEEK: DECEMBER 18-21
~ No regular classes at the studios December 18-21.
~ Tech week rehearsals/performances will all take place at Danville Community High School.
Monday, December 18: Act I Tech
- Marie, Fritzi, Party Scene, Drosselmeyer, Dolls 5:00-6:30 pm
- Marie, Nutcracker, Mouse Queen, Mice, Soldiers 6:30-7:15 pm
- Marie, Nutcracker, Flurries, Flurry Princess, Snowflakes, Snow Crystals, Snow Queen 7:15-8:00 pm
Tuesday, December 19: Act II Tech
- Angels/Seraphim, Chinese, Polichinelles 5:00-5:45 pm
- Act II Entrance, Grand Waltz/Apotheosis 5:45-6:15 pm
- Spanish, Arabian, Russian, Reed Flutes 6:15-6:45 pm
- Flowers 6:45-7:30 pm
- Sugar Plum Pas 7:30-8:00 pm
Wednesday, December 20: Full Cast
- Act I Cast 5:00-6:30 pm
- Act II Cast 6:30-8:00 pm
Thursday, December 21: Dress Rehearsal
6:00 – 8:00 pm. Costumes will be at the high school.
Call Times:
- 4:45 pm for intermediate/advanced dancers (warm-up class at 5:00 pm)
- 5:15 pm for Party Scene, Mice, Soldiers, Mouse Queen
- 5:30 pm for Flurry Princess, Flurries
- 6:00 pm for Act II dancers (Angels, Seraphim, Chinese, Polichinelles and Mother Ginger)
Performances:
Friday, December 22 (7:00 pm), Saturday, December 23 (2:30 pm)
- Friday: Call @ 5:00 pm and warm-up @ 5:15 pm for intermediate/advanced dancers. Call @ 6:30 pm for all other dancers.
- Saturday: Call @ 12:30 pm and warm-up @ 12:45 pm for intermediate/advanced dancers. Call @ 2:00 pm for all other dancers.
CHOREOGRAPHY VIDEOS
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Snowflakes 1 (8/19):
Snowflakes 2 (8/19):
Snowflakes 3 (8/19):
Snowflakes (9/2):
Party Scene 1 (9/9):
Party Scene 2 (9/9):
Party Scene 3 (9/9):
Party Scene (9/23):
Party Scene (9/23):
Mice/Soldiers (9/23):
Mice (9/30):
Soldiers (9/30):
Party (9/30):
Party (9/30):
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