Tonight's
performance had its ups and downs, everyone. I could see a lack of
concentration and focus during a lot of Act 1, in both Party and Battle
Scenes.
I know that many of you are likely getting tired, with school and late
nights at the theater, so please do your very best to rest, and when you
get to the theater: it's time to think about what you're about to do
onstage. Every single performance
is equally important!
Party Scene:
1) Boys, you did the leap frog way too
fast. I know those parents were in your way, but if that happens, just
wait for them to move before you start. Don't just try to do it under
their feet!
2) Better job making the diagonal lines, Party Boys. Collin (and
other Fritzes), thank you for remembering to get closer to center, but
you shouldn't be ON center-- just closer to it than you were before.
3) Grandparents' Entrance: Girls, Grandkids, and Maries,
please make sure you keep yourselves far enough to stage left (this is
after you all join together and are greeting, etc). Otherwise, you are
blocking the audience's view of the Grandparents,
who are sitting in their chairs on center.
4) Most of you are remembering to RUN scared to your parents
after the clock strikes, but I saw a few of you just meander over there
tonight. STAY FOCUSED on what you are reacting to! Why would you jump
up and then stroll away?
5) Doll Dances: Some of you are spending too much time
mimicking (imitating) the dolls instead of actually watching them. Yes,
you can imitate their movements and arm positions, but not the entire
time. And remember, if you do hold your arms up
in the positions that the Harlequin and Columbine do, really hold them
up strongly and clearly! Sharper, cleaner movements please.
6) At the end of the soldier doll dance, please don't rush up so
close to the soldier doll-- yes, you get up and gather around him
quickly, but don't crush him!
7) Hobby Horse Tug of War: We need to keep this further
upstage (away from the audience). So when Drosslemeier gestures to you
to get into your two lines of boys on one side and girls on the other,
move upstage slightly.
8) And then, after Fritz grabs the Nutcracker from Marie, I need
all the other party children to STAY BACK. Again, you're crowding them
too much. When Fritz pushes the two boys out of the way, everyone
should take a step back. I don't want to see
any other party child getting close to the Nutcracker.
9) Grandfather's Dance: Again, too many distracted faces and
minds. I saw many of you on "auto-pilot", not really paying attention
to the others around you, being sloppy with your footwork, not holding
yourselves well. BOYS, you did not all kneel
on 8 in the diagonal! Why not? No excuses!
OVERALL: Way too much relaxing during Party Scene tonight! It was too
casual, not focused enough, and is getting sloppy. We have all worked
way too hard to get to this point and have your performances start to
slip. Every performance should be treated with
as much care and attention as the first one. The tickets to this
performance tonight cost the same as they do for every other night, so
you have to deliver the same (or better) level of dancing and
performing-- no excuses.
Battle Scene:
All Soldiers: The first "Crash" still needs to be sharper! The movement is in 1 count, not 2 or 2 and a half!
Also, make sure that if you're in line 1 or
2, when you get down to the floor during the charges, you keep your legs
super straight and glued together. There were some feet flying up in
the air behind you and legs splayed apart,
which makes it impossible (and dangerous) for the others who have to run
in between the lines.
Act 2:
Angels were excellent tonight!
Friday, December 20, 2013
Schedule for FRIDAY, December 20, 2013
2:00 Performance
WARM UP Class
– Arrive no earlier than 11:15
|
11:45a
|
1:00p
|
Drop
off
|
Pick
up
|
|
Nephew/Prince
|
12:30p
|
4:15p
|
Prince and
Marie Covers
|
12:30p
|
3:30p
|
Party
Scene: Party
Children, Maids
|
12:30p
|
2:45p
|
Battle Scene:
Soldiers, Sabres, Sentry, Trumpeter
|
1:00p
|
3:00p
|
Angels
|
1:30p
|
3:45p
|
Candy Canes,
Polichinelles, Chinese Tea
|
1:30p
|
4:30p
|
Photo Booth: Asia Tran; Hannah Russell;
Zeke Mitchell-Hopmeier
|
12:30p
|
4:45p
|
DINNER TIME:
EVERYONE MUST LEAVE THE THEATER
| 7:30 Performance | ||
Drop
off
|
Pick
up
|
|
Marie,
Nephew/Prince
|
6:00p
|
9:45p
|
Marie and
Prince Covers
|
6:00p
|
9:00p
|
Party Scene: Fritz, Party Children, Maids
|
6:00p
|
8:15p
|
Battle Scene: Soldiers, Sabres, Sentry, Trumpeter,
Bunny
|
6:30p
|
8:30p
|
Angels
|
7:00p
|
9:15p
|
Candy Canes,
Polichinelles, Chinese Tea
|
7:00p
|
10:00p
|
Photo Booth: Anika Sanders;
Kathryn Locke Harris; Sarah Wheeler
|
6:00p
|
10:00p
|
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Dear Chaperones: (Notes from Gavin to dancers below.)
I cannot begin to express my gratitude for all you do behind the
scenes. Beyond tonight we enter what has the potential to be a very
stressful time for young dancers and adults alike; 8 shows in 4 days
culminating with a Christmas Eve show at noon.
With that in mind, it is incredibly important that we work together as a family; that we create an atmosphere of professionalism and support for one another; and that we focus on our goal of performing to the best of our ability - onstage and off. OBT's Nutcracker provides an amazing opportunity for our young dancers - performing with a professional company to an audience of thousands every night! WOW!
As parents we want to set a positive example for our children and help them learn how to deal with the excitement, as well as, the anxiety that comes with performing. Everyone is different and will handle this in a different way, especially as fatigue sets in! The atmosphere upstairs and on the stage should be enjoyable and inclusive. Remind the dancers to talk with an adult if they have any problems or concerns. Please be mindful of your group and help them through any difficult situation that arises. Do not allow small incidents to fester and grow, but gently "nip them in the bud" and move forward in a positive light. (I am always available to come talk with a group or individual if need be.)
A few reminders:
Stay with your group upstairs, in wardrobe, in the green room, and onstage.
Photographs may only be taken upstairs in the 4th floor hallway. Absolutely NO photos in the green room or onstage!! Dancers need to focus once they are called downstairs.
You are responsible for your group, it is okay to respectfully say, "Shh, or No, or You need to focus now...." It is also okay to calmly say, "You are all wonderful, or Merde, or Thank you for being quiet."
SMILE and ENJOY your time with our wonderful family of dancers!
In gratitude and appreciation,
Shari
With that in mind, it is incredibly important that we work together as a family; that we create an atmosphere of professionalism and support for one another; and that we focus on our goal of performing to the best of our ability - onstage and off. OBT's Nutcracker provides an amazing opportunity for our young dancers - performing with a professional company to an audience of thousands every night! WOW!
As parents we want to set a positive example for our children and help them learn how to deal with the excitement, as well as, the anxiety that comes with performing. Everyone is different and will handle this in a different way, especially as fatigue sets in! The atmosphere upstairs and on the stage should be enjoyable and inclusive. Remind the dancers to talk with an adult if they have any problems or concerns. Please be mindful of your group and help them through any difficult situation that arises. Do not allow small incidents to fester and grow, but gently "nip them in the bud" and move forward in a positive light. (I am always available to come talk with a group or individual if need be.)
A few reminders:
Stay with your group upstairs, in wardrobe, in the green room, and onstage.
Photographs may only be taken upstairs in the 4th floor hallway. Absolutely NO photos in the green room or onstage!! Dancers need to focus once they are called downstairs.
You are responsible for your group, it is okay to respectfully say, "Shh, or No, or You need to focus now...." It is also okay to calmly say, "You are all wonderful, or Merde, or Thank you for being quiet."
SMILE and ENJOY your time with our wonderful family of dancers!
In gratitude and appreciation,
Shari
NOTES FROM GAVIN: (Thursday's schedule is posted below notes.)
Another good show overall tonight, everyone! Just a few things:
Party Scene:
Party Boys--- both times you form a diagonal line (after your "gallop" step in the march, and when you do your "grand battement, chasse, battement, bow" to the girls), the line needs to be MORE of a diagonal. Fritzes--- go closer to center, and whichever boy is at the other end of the line, HOLD BACK!
Much better "scared" at the clock, and returning to your parents.
Please, don't start to space out during the doll dances. Many of you are staying engaged and very animated and alive, which is wonderful, but I noticed a few "dead" faces tonight during the Harlequin and Columbine dance. No matter how many times you've seen this dance, the audience needs to feel your excitement and amazement.
All Party Kids: When Fritz has grabbed the Nutcracker from Marie and is spinning it around, before he tries to smash it on the floor, please STAND BACK a little more. You're all crowding in so closely that I'm afraid someone is going to be in the way, and it also distracts too much from the central action. So please stand back a little more so we can clearly see Fritz and Marie.
Battle Scene:
I understand that there was some confusion tonight with the mice carrying off the wrong soldiers and leaving some behind. If this happens again, don't panic! Just let whatever mouse picks you up take you offstage, and if no one picks you up, keep marching off into the nearest wing.
Princes and Maries:
Princes, please be careful with the sword when you are battling the Mouse King. The production department does not have a spare sword, and it can't keep getting broken. So please be careful with how you're using it during the fight scene.
Princes and Maries: Remember to take slower steps when you are walking upstage at the very end of Act 1. Let's let Marie set the pace. That means the Princes shouldn't rush and need to follow her footsteps so you stay on the same foot until the curtain comes down.
Act 2:
Angels: Very good, all of you! Remember, however, that during the Sugarplum Fairy solo you should watch her dance, but please don't fidget or droop! And a little bit of a smile would be lovely!
Chinese Tea: Now you're all doing a good job at staying in line with Spanish during the finale step, but I would still like you to be further towards stage left. Just spread out more, so you're not so close to Spanish.
Thank you everyone, and see you tonight!
Party Scene:
Party Boys--- both times you form a diagonal line (after your "gallop" step in the march, and when you do your "grand battement, chasse, battement, bow" to the girls), the line needs to be MORE of a diagonal. Fritzes--- go closer to center, and whichever boy is at the other end of the line, HOLD BACK!
Much better "scared" at the clock, and returning to your parents.
Please, don't start to space out during the doll dances. Many of you are staying engaged and very animated and alive, which is wonderful, but I noticed a few "dead" faces tonight during the Harlequin and Columbine dance. No matter how many times you've seen this dance, the audience needs to feel your excitement and amazement.
All Party Kids: When Fritz has grabbed the Nutcracker from Marie and is spinning it around, before he tries to smash it on the floor, please STAND BACK a little more. You're all crowding in so closely that I'm afraid someone is going to be in the way, and it also distracts too much from the central action. So please stand back a little more so we can clearly see Fritz and Marie.
Battle Scene:
I understand that there was some confusion tonight with the mice carrying off the wrong soldiers and leaving some behind. If this happens again, don't panic! Just let whatever mouse picks you up take you offstage, and if no one picks you up, keep marching off into the nearest wing.
Princes and Maries:
Princes, please be careful with the sword when you are battling the Mouse King. The production department does not have a spare sword, and it can't keep getting broken. So please be careful with how you're using it during the fight scene.
Princes and Maries: Remember to take slower steps when you are walking upstage at the very end of Act 1. Let's let Marie set the pace. That means the Princes shouldn't rush and need to follow her footsteps so you stay on the same foot until the curtain comes down.
Act 2:
Angels: Very good, all of you! Remember, however, that during the Sugarplum Fairy solo you should watch her dance, but please don't fidget or droop! And a little bit of a smile would be lovely!
Chinese Tea: Now you're all doing a good job at staying in line with Spanish during the finale step, but I would still like you to be further towards stage left. Just spread out more, so you're not so close to Spanish.
Thank you everyone, and see you tonight!
Schedule for Thursday, December 19, 2013
|
Evening WARM
UP Class:
Arrival time no earlier than 5:30
|
6:00p
|
7:00p
|
|
|
Drop
off
|
Pick
up
|
|
Marie,
Nephew/Prince
|
6:00p
|
9:45p
|
|
Marie and
Prince Covers
|
6:00p
|
9:00p
|
|
Party Scene: Fritz, Party Children, Maids
|
6:00p
|
8:15p
|
|
Battle Scene: Soldiers, Sabres, Sentry, Trumpeter,
Bunny
|
6:30p
|
8:30p
|
|
Angels
|
7:00p
|
9:15p
|
|
Candy Canes,
Polichinelles, Chinese Tea
|
7:00p
|
10:00p
|
|
|
|
|
|
PHOTO BOOTH: Danica and Milana Milos-Manthey, Zuzu Metzler
|
6:00p
|
10:00p
|
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