Rehearsals

ABSENCES

         Each dancer is allowed one absence if the choreographers are notified at least a week in advance. This is considered an "excused" absence. Please make every effort to attend the first three rehearsals, as this is when blocking occurs. The Studio Run-Throughs and Dress Rehearsals are mandatory.
         Absences due to illness are acceptable. If your child is feverish, please keep him/her home. If the child is recovering (no longer contagious) but unable to dance, he/she should come to the rehearsal to observe so as to not fall behind in learning the choreography. Please notify the choreographer of any absence due to illness before the time of the rehearsal.
         PLEASE NOTE: Due to the limited time frame for rehearsals, more than one absence (for any reason other than illness) may be cause for dismissal from the production.

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE

         Each week's schedule will be published on the call board and the Nutcracker Sweet blog (www.nutcrackersweet.wordpress.com) by Monday of that week. It is the child/parent's responsibility to check one of these sites on Monday each week.
         In order to assist you with your planning, we hope to have a tentative schedule for the month of October in place prior to the start of rehearsals. Please check back on the Nutcracker Sweet blog for the latest information. The rehearsal schedule for the month of November will be provided on a weekly basis. You should anticipate that your child may be rehearsing on both Saturday and Sunday during the month of November. Please make note of the dates of the Studio Run-Throughs and Dress Rehearsal, which are already scheduled.

THANKSGIVING BREAK         

There are no rehearsals the week of Thanksgiving, Monday, November 21, through Saturday, November 26.

SCHEDULING CHANGES

         Some scheduling changes are unavoidable as the dancers learn their parts. The choreographers may lengthen, shorten, or reschedule rehearsals as needed. We will make every effort to keep the tentative schedule for the first 4/5 weeks as published. However, once we get into November, please expect to see some changes. All changes to the rehearsal schedule will be posted on the call board in the studios and on the "electronic call board" at the Nutcracker Sweet blog by Monday of the corresponding week.

WHAT TO WEAR/BRING TO REHEARSALS

         Girls should wear leotard, tights and ballet slippers (pointe shoes if applicable), as they would to class. Boys should wear T-shirt, tights/leggings and ballet shoes.
         If the dancer will have down time between rehearsals, please send a small snack and a quiet activity for the child to do while he/she waits. Children will not be allowed to run around the studio during rehearsals.

NEEDED: PARENT MONITORS

         Due to the large number of younger dancers participating in the Nutcracker Sweet this year, we are asking for parents to volunteer to supervise in the studio office and study room during the weekend (Saturday and Sunday) rehearsals. This need not be a burden on anyone if a sufficient number of parents sign up for a shift during the months of October and November.
         If you have a child in Angels, Little Mice, Party Children, Little Chefs and Cupcakes, or Soldiers, please consider signing up for a shift as Rehearsal Monitor. This should help our rehearsals run more smoothly and with less stress for the Nutcracker Sweet staff.

STUDIO RUN-THROUGHS

         A studio run-through is a rehearsal of the entire production from start to finish, which is held at WEAD. Costumes may or may not be worn. We will notify you on the Nutcracker Sweet website and call board on Monday of the week of the Studio Run-Through. Studio Run=Throughs are scheduled for Saturday, December 3, and Sunday, December 4, 2011.

DRESS REHEARSAL

         The Dress Rehearsal will take place at Deep Run High School on Friday, December 9, beginning at 4:30pm. The rehearsal may last until 9pm, although we hope to dismiss earlier.
         Dancers should arrive with hair and make-up already done, and in costume, if possible. Please have them be seated in the auditorium in their assigned groups. Parents may video the rehearsal, but please no flash photography while they are dancing.