2013 nutcracker handbook - new haven...

2013 NUTCRACKER HANDBOOK

2013

2013

Should you have any questions regarding Nutcracker, please contact NHB Office Manager Ruth Barker [email protected]

NHB office #: 203-782-9038 Nutcracker cell #: 203-589-8135

November 2013 Dear Parents, Students, Faculty, Staff, Performers, and Volunteers, We are all terribly excited that New Haven Ballet (NHB) will once more be performing The Nutcracker at the prestigious Shubert Theater this year. Everyone has been working hard in rehearsals to master exciting new choreography and help bring The Nutcracker to life. This year’s production will feature over 240 dancers. And we are thrilled to be performing with the New Haven Ballet Orchestra, under the direction of conductor Richard Gard, as well as with New York City Ballet principal Maria Kowroski and former principal Charles Askegard as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. As in past years, this performance is made possible thanks to the generous contributions from you, our many NHB families, patrons, and area businesses. We recognize that the success of this wonderful production requires a tremendous commitment to excellence from all of you, and we thank you for that commitment. We have prepared a handbook that should assist performers, parents, faculty, staff, and volunteers by listing responsibilities, production week and performance schedules, costume requirements, and other vital information. Please read this handbook in its entirety, keep it for the duration of the Nutcracker season, and abide by the instructions listed within it. In addition, if you have interest, talent, or expertise to share, we invite you to consider joining our dedicated Nutcracker volunteers. Each volunteer plays a vital part in our continuing success, and we are seeking enthusiastic individuals who might be interested in assisting with Nutcracker or other NHB projects. If you have sewing, crafting, or carpentry skills, or if you would like to assist backstage, please sign up on the bulletin boards located in each studio or call the NHB Office Manager, Ruth Barker, at 203-782-9038 (email: [email protected]) to let us know about your interest. Finally, we ask that each of you (and your families) help sell advertisements for the Nutcracker program book and hang posters in your respective communities. The more widely the production is advertised, the more interest there will be in the community, and the larger the audience. Program advertising submission information is posted on NHB’s website. Posters will be available in mid-November. If you have any Nutcracker-related questions please do not hesitate to contact Ruth. She would be more than happy to assist you. Thank you for your dedication and time! Together, we can light up lives with this holiday classic. Sincerely yours,

Lisa Sanborn Interim Artistic Director New Haven Ballet

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IMPORTANT REHEARSAL INFORMATION Participation: It is a great privilege to be a cast member in The Nutcracker. By accepting a part in The Nutcracker it is agreed that performers will attend ALL rehearsals and appear in EVERY performance for which he or she is scheduled. Rehearsals: Performers must be on time, properly dressed and ready to dance at every rehearsal for which they are scheduled. It is the responsibility of each dancer to check the rehearsal and the performance schedule frequently as schedules are subject to change. Schedules are posted at each studio and online at: www.newhavenballet.org. Absences: Planned absences must be submitted in writing or called into the office (tel. 203-782-9038). If a dancer is ill and not able to perform please advise NHB as soon as possible. Transportation: Please plan ahead as to how, where, and when you will be dropped off and picked up for rehearsals and performances. All rehearsals start promptly.

IMPORTANT PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

All performers must:

• ARRIVE on time and sign in at the stage door for all performances and rehearsals. Due to the large number of dancers and musicians backstage, please note that cast members will not be allowed in the stage door of the Shubert until the time the schedule indicates. PLEASE DO NOT SHOW UP EARLIER THAN CHECK IN TIME.

• REMEMBER to bring all performance supplies to dress rehearsals and performances. Pack the night before and double check your list before coming to the theater.

• LEAVE jewelry, watches, or other valuables at home.

• BEHAVE in a calm and focused manner once you are in the theater. All performers are expected to behave in a professional and responsible manner during all rehearsals, performances and while observing. There will be no running around the building! The theater must be treated as a sacred place.

• COMPLY with the wishes of the artistic, technical, and volunteer staff when you are at the theater. There is a chain of command in place at the theater, which must not be challenged.

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THEATER PERSONNEL HIERARCHY

1. INTERIM ARTISTIC DIRECTOR 2. STAGE MANAGER 3. TECHNICAL PERSONEL 4. PROP MASTER 5. COSTUME DESIGNER, MAKEUP & WARDROBE PERSONNEL (regarding

costume/wardrobe and makeup matters) 6. VOLUNTEER COORDINATORS 7. DRESSING ROOM CHAPERONES & ALL OTHER BACKSTAGE

VOLUNTEERS 8. PERFORMERS

• SPEAK to the Interim Artistic Director (Lisa Sanborn) or Office Manager (Ruth Barker) if you are receiving contradictory information from any of the above theater personnel.

• NO ONE other than performers, artistic staff, assigned volunteers, and technical staff and crew are allowed backstage.

• DO NOT TALK in the wings or onstage during the performance unless it is absolutely necessary.

• KEEP criticism about performers, the performance, musicians, personnel, faculty, staff, costumes, sets, etc., to yourself and discuss them at an appropriate time.

• HANDLE costumes with respect and care. Please hang up costumes properly and return them to the proper person or place with all accessories (head-pieces and loose parts) intact.

• HANDLE props in the same way remembering to check pre-set props before the performance.

• NEVER eat or drink anything other than water when in costume.

• AVOID sitting in costume.

• REPORT any problems with the costume to the Costume Designer (Cathy Mason), before or after the performance or rehearsal as soon as possible so repairs or adjustments may be made.

• DO NOT touch the wings, lights, props (unless it’s yours), sets or other stage equipment.

• SUPPORT the other dancers in every way possible with kindness and encouragement.

• ENJOY THE PERFORMANCE and MAKE THE PERFORMANCE ENJOYABLE FOR THE AUDIENCE!

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE

Please Note: Unless state highways are closed, Shubert shows always go on. Please plan accordingly and arrive on time no matter the weather conditions.

DRESS REHEARSALS: Parents are allowed to watch dress rehearsals from the house. Flash photography is not permitted and noise must be kept to a minimum; however, applause is greatly appreciated.

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PARKING: Ø Please be aware that you will probably have to park in the parking garage. Chances of finding on street

parking are low. Ø For the Student Matinée performance on Friday, December 13th: College Street will be closed to traffic

at 9:45 a.m. and again at 11:15 a.m. due to busses arriving – please plan on entering the garage from Crown Street.

STUDENT PICK UP: ALL DANCERS MUST BE CHECKED OUT AT THE STAGE DOOR. All performers must be picked up by a parent or guardian. For Tech and Dress Rehearsals, December 10th-13th, please check the schedule of approximate pick up time. For Performances: if your child is only in the first act, they may be picked up at intermission. If they are in the second act, they may be picked up after the performance. When you pick up your child, they must check out of the Shubert at the stage door. If your child is in a role that allows he or she to be picked up at intermission and you would like for them to see the rest of the show, you must purchase a ticket for your child.

WHAT TO BRING TO THE THEATER • Reindeer should arrive with clean faces (no makeup). Females: hair secured up in a high bun and wearing pink

tights under their clothing to the theater. Reindeer should bring their ballet shoes with them. Male reindeer should wear white tights and white ballet shoes.

• All other students, including gentlemen, please arrive at the theater in your class uniform. • All performers are required to provide their own tights, shoes, performance leotards, etc., for the performances. • Please clearly label with permanent ink all items (shoes, tights, leotards, etc.) so that they may be easily identified

and returned. • Level 4-8 female students please bring a nude colored camisole leotard with no plastic or removable straps. • Levels 4-8 please bring warm up clothing to the theater. • All performers, please bring all hair supplies you will need for the performance – hairbrush, hairpins, bobby pins,

ponytail elastics, hairnets, gel or non - aerosol hair spray. (There will be no hair supplies at the theater.) • Clean pair of ballet shoes with elastics sewn; Students performing pointe roles: clean pointe shoes with all ribbons

and elastic sewn. • Snowflakes, flowers, and female principals, soloists and demi-soloists should have rhinestone stud earrings and

false eyelashes. • Two pairs of clean tights with no holes or runs. All female students level 4-8 must wear classical pink tights with

seams. • Sewing kit. • Make up: see description below. • Homework, books, art books/or paper, colored pencils or crayons (NO MARKERS), cards and quiet games. • Drinks: bottled water only! • All make-up required for your performance. (There will be no supplies at the theater.) • Snacks: dry, non-greasy snacks such as pretzels, granola bars, dry cereals, or crackers. • ABSOLUTELY NO POPCORN or PEANUT PRODUCTS ALLOWED. Please do not share food or drinks.

HEAD LICE POLICY

Head lice are extremely contagious and may be passed along by shared clothing, headgear, combs, brushes etc. New Haven Ballet has a “no head lice” policy, as well as a “no nit” policy. Students found to have live head lice will be excluded from all NHB classes, rehearsals and performances, and not allowed to return until they are lice-free. Students will be required to be re-examined by their physician in 14 days to confirm that they have remained lice-free.

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NHB COSTUME BREAKDOWN BY CHARACTER

Party Girls Classical pink tights, nude colored camisole leotard, black leather ballet shoes with long black elastic sewn on. NHB will supply long black elastic.

Clara Act I: Classical pink tights, nude colored camisole leotard, black leather ballet shoes with long black elastic sewn on. NHB will supply long black elastic. Act II: Same as above, except pink ballet slippers. Please bring spare pair of pink ballet shoes.

Nutcracker Prince Act I: Black tights, black ballet shoes with black elastic. Act II: White tights, white ballet slippers with white elastic.

Fritz, Party Boys Black tights, black ballet shoes with black elastic. Party Mothers, Mrs. Von Stahlbaum, Grandmother, Maids

Black opaque tights, black character shoes, black undergarments.

Party Fathers, Mr. Von Stahlbaum, Grandfather, Drosselmeyer, Wolf

Black socks, black dress or character shoes, white dress shirt.

Harlequin, Columbine, Female Soldier Doll Classical pink tights, nude colored camisole leotard, pink pointe shoes. Male Soldier Doll, Snow King White tights, dance belt, white ballet shoes with white elastic. Soldiers Pink tights, black ballet slippers with pink elastic. Baby Mouse Pink tights, pink ballet slippers, class leotard. Mice Nude colored camisole, ballet slippers for dying* gray if none fit from

wardrobe. NHB will supply gray tights. Mouse King Ballet shoes to be dyed* gray if none fit from wardrobe. NHB will

supply gray tights. Male Spanish Hot Chocolate Lead, Chinese Tea Male Leads

Black tights, dance belt, black ballet shoes.

Snow Queen, Snow Demis, Snowflakes Classical pink tights, nude colored camisole leotard, pink pointe shoes. Angels, Petit Fours Class leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers. Lambs Class leotard, black tights, black ballet slippers. Reindeer Pink tights, pink ballet slippers. Land of Sweets Fairies, Marzipan Lead, Arabian Lead, Dew Drop, Demi Flowers, Flowers

Classical pink tights, nude colored camisole leotard, pink pointe shoes.

Arabian Coffee Corps Classical pink tights, nude colored camisole leotard, pink ballet slippers Russian Trepak Corps Pink tights, class leotard, pink ballet slippers. Russian Trepak Female Leads Classical pink tights, nude colored camisole leotard, pink pointe shoes. Russian Trepak Male Lead White tights, dance belt, white ballet slippers. Spanish Hot Chocolate Corps Black tights, nude colored camisole, black ballet slippers. Spanish Hot Chocolate Female Leads Black tights, nude colored camisole leotard, black pointe shoes*. Chinese Tea Female Leads Black tights, black camisole leotard, black pointe shoes*. Baker White tights, white shoes, white tee shirt.

*NHB will dye ballet slippers and pointe shoes for each performer requiring gray ballet slippers (Mice, Mouse King) and/or black pointe shoes (Spanish and Chinese Female Leads). Please provide ballet slippers with elastics sewn on and/or pointe shoes with ribbons and elastics sewn (performance ready) with the dancer’s last name clearly written in black permanent ink inside each shoe to the NHB office, 70 Audubon Street, New Haven, no later than November 23, 2013 so that the shoes may be professionally dyed for the performances.

2013



MAKEUP

• Reindeer please do not wear makeup to the theater. Shubert Theater personnel will apply makeup.

• Creative Ballet 2-Level 4 students performing the roles: Angels, Baby Mice, Russian Corps, Soldiers, Lambs, and Petit Fours should arrive at the theater with light basic stage makeup applied to a freshly washed face: foundation (entire face including under jaw bone), loose face powder, light blush to apples of cheeks, lipstick slightly darker than natural lip color, and brows slightly darkened with brown eye shadow if they are very fair. Soldiers and Petit Fours will have red circles painted on their cheeks and then lipstick applied on top of their light basic makeup by Shubert Theater personnel. Lambs will have a nose penciled in on top of their light basic makeup by Shubert Theater personnel.

• All other Level 4 and Level 5 students should arrive at the theater with basic stage makeup applied to a freshly washed face: foundation, face powder, black eyeliner, neutral eye shadow (cream/white (highlight), peach/beige/wine (accent), and matte brown (contour), brows slightly darkened with brown eye shadow, black mascara, blush applied to apples of cheeks, lipstick (reddish wine in color).

• Level 6-8 students: please bring basic (heavy street) makeup to the theater: foundation, face powder, black eyeliner, neutral eye shadow (cream/white (highlight), peach/beige/wine (accent), and matte brown (contour), brows slightly darkened with brown eye shadow black mascara, blush, lipstick (reddish wine in color). We will have a general makeup plot at the theater for students to follow.

• Level 6-8 students who are performing as: snowflakes, flowers, and female principals, soloists and demi-soloists should bring eyelash glue and black false eyelashes to the theater.

• The Shubert Theater and/or NHB personnel will do specialty makeup for the following roles: Baker, Grandparents, Soldiers, Dolls, Petit Fours, Lambs, and Reindeer.

HAIR

All students must arrive with their hair up in a ballet bun or other specified hairstyle. No bangs, wisps, ribbons, or other hair ornaments are allowed.

HAIR BREAKDOWN BY CHARACTER Clara, Party Girls Ringlets (see below for instructions) Party Mothers, Mrs. Von Stahlbaum, Grandmother, Maids

Soft, loose high bun with soft curls around face; or, wig/hairpiece. Grandmother’s hair sprayed gray or gray wig supplied by NHB wardrobe.

Harlequin, Columbine, Female Soldier Doll, Soldiers, Mice, Baby Mice

High Bun

Arabian Lead High Ponytail All other female performers High Bun Male performers Hair should be combed down (no “spikes”), neat, away from face, and

sprayed so as not to fall into face RINGLET INSTRUCTIONS: Front half of hair should be pulled up away from the face and secured with a barrette that matches hair color. Small to medium sponge rollers are suggested.

o Begin with clean, dry hair. o Divide hair into sections: top, bottom, left and right. Secure each section on which you are not working

with clips. o Roll the underneath layers first and work your way up.

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o Comb out and lightly spray a small vertical section of hair with water or spray gel, wrap the ends of hair with wrapping paper or 1 square of toilet paper, and roll the section of hair up vertically to the scalp.

o At least two (2) curlers closest to the face should be rolled towards the face on each side. o If you are curling longer or thicker hair, be sure to use small sections of hair. o Rollers should lie vertically on the head so that curls release nicely when the rollers are removed. o Carefully remove barrette and sleep on hair rollers or sit under a hair dryer and leave in rollers for as long

as possible. o Remove the rollers gently so you do not distort the curls. DO NOT BRUSH OUT THE CURLS. o Brush back front of hair and place barrette to secure front half of hair away from face. o Use hair spray on the curls until stiff.

IMPORTANT Keep curls loosely wrapped in hair net or scarf to keep gravity from causing them to droop.

CHECK - IN

TECH REHEARSALS, DRESS REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCES

• Upon check-in performers will be directed to their dressing rooms.

• Students should arrive under-dressed in their class uniform with hair in appropriate style. See Hair Breakdown chart.

• All performers must check in at the stage door upon arrival for stage rehearsal and performance.

• The stage door is located on the right side of the Shubert building next to the municipal parking garage down the alley on the left.

• Once a student has checked in, they may not leave until they are released and checked out for the day. Please refer to the Production Schedule for check-in/out times.

• It is essential that performers arrive and depart the theater on time. You will not be allowed to enter the theater before the assigned time.

• If your child will be late for any reason, please call Ruth Barker, NHB Office Manager, on the Nutcracker cell phone # 203-589-8135.

CHECK - OUT TECH REHEARSALS, DRESS REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCES

When the stage rehearsal or performance ends, all students will be checked out from the stage door.

• If your child performs in the 1st Act only, they may be released at intermission or they will be required to stay to the end of the performance.

• Please notify us at check - in if you intend to pick your child up at intermission.

• All performers will need a ticket if they intend to watch the 2nd half of the performance.

• All 2nd Act performers will be released after the performance. We will release students by order of age. The youngest children will be released first.

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FOR THE SAFETY OF YOUR CHILD, STUDENTS WILL BE RELEASED BY THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE:

Please note that students performing in the 2nd act may be picked up after the performance.

ACT 1 DISMISSAL ORDER

• Soldiers & Baby Mice • Party Children • Mice & Mouse King • Dolls • Snow, Snow King & Snow Queen • Party Parents & Grandparents • Maids

ACT 2 DISMISSAL ORDER

• Reindeer • Angels • Petit Fours & Lambs • Russian Corps • Spanish Corps • Level 6-8 students

IMPORTANT NHB PHONE NUMBERS AND CONTACTS:

Ruth Barker: [email protected]

NHB Nutcracker Cell phone: 203-589-8135

NHB Office: 203-782-9038

Shubert Box Office: 203-562-5666

2013 nutcracker handbook - new haven...

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