HELLO and WELCOME to OREGON BALLET THEATRE'S NUTCRACKER 2013. Here are just a few helpful tips to enhance our experience as chaperones. If you just want to read the words in capital letters you'll get the idea ;).
Our wonderful parent chaperones are the "cogs" which keep the machine of OBT's Nutcracker flowing smoothly. Because the children are ESSENTIAL to the success of the production, we chaperones are essential to the success of the production. We keep the children SAFE, PREPARED, ON-TIME, and in the right frame-of-mind to perform as professionals.
Our OBJECTIVE as chaperones is to keep the FLOW of the production/performance moving at the OPTIMAL PACE for the production staff (ie makeup artists, wardrobe staff, backstage crew, etc.) while creating an enjoyable learning experience for our children.
...and now for the GUIDELINES...drum roll please...
1) Please WEAR BLACK CLOTHING AND SHOES since you may end up being backstage and need to stay camouflaged and hidden from the audience. You will be scheduled to arrive at the theater 30 minutes before your assigned group's call time. You, of course, may bring your dancer with you to your call time.
2) Stop at the Keller stage door and PICK UP A CHAPERONE BADGE so that you may be identified in the theater. Please make sure to RETURN the badge upon exiting so that it may be used by the next group of scheduled chaperones.
3) Please CHECK-IN with the Lead Chaperone (remember to have your dancer check-in on the wall board at the base of the stairs) and go straight up to the 5th Floor or your ASSIGNED AREA.
4) As soon as your group of dancers arrives, INTRODUCE YOURSELF and/or MAKE CONTACT with them so they know who is leading them.
5) QUIET YOUR GROUP as often as necessary so that everyone can HEAR instructions and the noise level of the room is kept at a moderate level. Yes, you will need to sound like a giant leaky balloon at many points during your shift. You are in charge of keeping your group at the proper decibel level so don't be shy with the "Ssssshhhhing".
6) Check your group's MAKEUP and COSTUME TIMES which will be posted on the mirror of the 5th floor. Allow 15 minutes for BATHROOM and cleanup PRIOR TO your group's scheduled time to head down to the 4TH FLOOR for makeup and costumes. The children need REMINDING regarding using the restroom and being ready to get in line.
7) When the children are moving from one floor or area of the theater to another, please KEEP THEM IN A SINGLE-FILE LINE with one CHAPERONE IN FRONT OF THE LINE and ONE taking up the REAR. They will need reminding. This allows company members and staff to pass by safely and easily and keeps the children more manageable when you are reminding them to quiet down.
8) Please DO NOT TOUCH or help with COSTUMES. The wardrobe department will have staff to dress the dancers.
9) Remind your group to keep the NOISE LEVEL way DOWN in the GREEN ROOM and holding areas.
10) Please keep your group quiet and OUT OF THE AUDIENCE SIGHT LINE while backstage. Many, many of the Keller side-fill seats have a sight line of stage left and right so we should do our best to not be seen. It is very distracting to an audience member to see the backstage goings-on.
11) Please DO NOT HANDLE PROPS. Only dancers and stage crew may touch them.
12) All belongings should be PACKED UP FOR A QUICK DEPARTURE upon returning to the 5th floor after performances. As dancers from your group are called for release by the 5th Floor Radio Person, please HURRY YOUR DANCERS ALONG so that we may keep the pick-up traffic moving.
13) Don't be afraid to ASK QUESTIONS if you're not sure about anything! There is no such thing as a silly question and all communication is welcomed.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR DEDICATION! WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF FUN AND BE SO PROUD OF OUR INCREDIBLY WONDERFUL CHILDREN.
Marjorie
