Who can participate the Nutcracker? Students from all studios are invited to perform in the production. The aim of our productions is to give dance students the opportunity to experience performing in a ballet and to inspire their interest in the art-form. At the same time, we hope to give the community the opportunity to see a full-length ballet. We also need non-dancing adults!
I’m a beginner ballet student can I still try out? Yes! There are roles for students that do not require a lot of ballet technique.
I’m a studio owner and I’m very busy- why should I encourage my dancers to perform in Nutcracker? I’m not sure I have time for this. Fisher Ballet manages all the details of theater rental, drops, choreography, costumes, and rehearsals. Studio owners do not need to do anything. Students represent their studio and their studio will be listed as a participating school in the program so your studio will get publicity by being represented in the performances. It can also be a selling feature for your studio if you offer a Nutcracker opportunity. In addition we find that dancers who perform in the Nutcracker are often more inspired to work in their ballet classes later- something that can often be a struggle with young dancers!
When are rehearsals? I think I have some conflicts on some weekends because I have other activities too. Rehearsals generally take place on Sunday afternoon. Rehearsals are extremely important! Students wishing to be in the Nutcracker must be aware that they are making a commitment to make rehearsals a priority. We do understand however that people may have scheduling conflicts and we do our best to work around most difficulties. We also will work out something for more advanced dancers who are further away to be able to work on their own and attend only occasional group rehearsals. Some acting roles- such as Fritz and Party Parents, and smaller roles such as Sheep have sometimes waited until November to start rehearsing and only need a few rehearsals. If you would like to be in the Nutcracker but have some conflicts, please reach out to us and let’s see if we can work around them! We usually can! Tech & Dress Rehearsals will take place during the week before the performance and are mandatory. If you can’t make it to all performances, let us know in advance and we will cast you to just some of the performances.
Do I have to come to the whole day of rehearsals or just the times my role is listed? You only need to come to the rehearsals for your roles.
Is there a fee to participate? Yes. There is a $140 fee for participation, which includes use of costumes. All families will also receive 1 free DVD. The participation fee helps to defray the massive costs of a production of this size. However, we understand that everyone’s finances are different, so please ask about a partial or full scholarship. We never want finances to prevent anyone from being in the Nutcracker.
You can also help by joining our fundraising efforts with NO donation or selling needed from you- simply do your regular shopping through our flipgive team. Go to Flipgive and enter the team invite code: GTJQRK
What is the time commitment for rehearsals?
Young Dancers aged 5-7 are only at the studio for 1-1.5 hours. Most older dancers are there for 2-3 hours. Older pointe dancers are there for 3+ hours. Clara is there for most of the afternoon. All Bristol rehearsals take place Sunday afternoon. Simsbury rehearsals will be arranged to fit the studio schedule. If you have some conflicts, let us know. We can usually accommodate them:)
My child received an understudy role in addition to her other roles. What does this mean?
We assign an understudy role to a dancer whom we believe is close to being able to do the role in question and who we would like to learn the role. Or sometimes to a dancer who has done the role before in case the new dancer is injured or ill. Frequently, an understudy will end up performing the role because sometimes other dancers are unable to perform for one reason or another. It happens more often than you might think! Even if your dancer does not perform the role this year, it usually means they will get the role the following year because we know that they have learned it and have seen that they can do it. Your dancer should come to all rehearsals that they are understudy for and should practice the dance full-out in the back or at the side of the studio. They will also be subbed in for any absent dancer during rehearsals.
I missed the start date, is it too late to join? If you are interested in being in the Nutcracker please contact me. If you missed starting on the first day and would like to be in the Nutcracker, we often still have roles that are open and that we need to fill. Please contact us and we will find you some role(s)!
I’ve been asked to do party girl hair- what is it and how do I do that? Please see this tutorial we made to help you. If you prefer, you can also purchase clip on curls often sold for cheer (we recommend leaving the hair net on to prevent the curls from dropping.