Schedule

Please remember, Garden City Ballet is a guest at Ballet Arts Academy – No parking (or waiting) along inside curb next to the mailboxes. ENTER in the east entrance and EXIT out the west. Do not wear any dance shoes from the car into the studio. Use cubbies for all personal belongings and please clean up after yourself (so that Marie does not have to!).

Results of Gift Exchange Survey – click here

Heads Up #1 – One rehearsal in November for Shepherdesses/Sheep/Wolf has been changed. Instead of Sunday, Nov 23, the new time for that weekend will be Saturday, Nov 22 (11:15 – 12:15).

Heads Up #2 – Clara and Prince will be called to Shepherdesses/Sheep/Wolf beginning Nov 9.

ALERT 1 – If the following Opening Scene performers can come to Kensington for coats and capes this Sunday, Nov 2, at 1:00pm, please do: Ellie, Michelle, Katie, Olivia, Daphne, Leah, Nellie, Samara — and if this weekend does not work, we will catch you later!

Weekend Rehearsal – Nov 1-2  (remember to set clocks back an hour when you go to sleep Saturday night)

Note – The schedule for Thanksgiving weekend will be posted asap, but count on rehearsals to be only on Sunday of that weekend (nothing Fri or Sat).

Note: Costume fittings take place at 800 Kensington, Lower Level #2. The door to our space is underneath the interior staircase landing. You can enter the building from the north or south and there are multiple glass doors to try (one should be unlocked!). Wear ballet attire.

Save the Date — Cast Party on Friday, December 19, 2025 (6:00-8:00pm) at the ZACC Show Room.

This 2025 rehearsal template shows when each variation or scene will typically be scheduled. We do our best to follow this template, but appreciate your patience as many moving parts will sometimes dictate changes that can’t be helped.

It is your responsibility to carefully check the schedule (posted no later than Wednesday). Additional rehearsals are often called as we get closer to performances. Costume fittings are required, and will be noted on the schedule. Be sure to check both studios every weekend for your specific role(s).

Understudies:  Please attend all scheduled rehearsals for your understudy role(s) as you are able. If you miss an understudy rehearsal, it will not count as an absence. Thank you all for taking on these critical extra assignments!

Missing a Rehearsal?
Please let us know immediately if you have known absences from September-December (i.e. plane tickets booked, college trips scheduled, upcoming wedding). Other absences (except for sudden illness or emergency) must be communicated at least one full week in advance to the Artistic Director, Executive Director, and choreographer. Your absence may indicate cancelling a rehearsal (or costume fitting) for all dancers in the variation.

Please keep in mind that when one dancer is absent it negatively impacts all of the remaining dancers (as well as the choreographer). While the absent dancer may feel confident in knowing the choreography, this is only part of the larger picture. Choreography is often built on symmetry, with patterns that involve intricate spacing and exact timing. Absent dancers leave “holes” which can throw everyone else off. It is just so important to attend your rehearsals.

Send email notice to:
director@gardencityballet.org (this will reach Marie and Michele)
caroline@gardencityballet.org

Attendance Policy – Part A:
Any cast member may be replaced for missing (2) or more rehearsals for any reason (including pre-arranged absence, sudden illness, or emergency) during the production season. This will be at the discretion of the Artistic Director.

Attendance Policy – Part B – Only for roles with assigned understudies:
If the primary dancer misses more than (2) scheduled rehearsals (per role) for any reason (including pre-arranged absence, sudden illness, or emergency) during the production season, the understudy will be given (1) performance opportunity. Absences beyond that will be discussed between the Artistic Director, Choreographer, and dancer.

Attendance Policy – Part C – Mandatory rehearsals – Only for roles with assigned understudies:
If the primary dancer misses a mandatory rehearsal for any reason except sudden illness or major emergency, the understudy will be given (1) performance opportunity. It will be at the discretion of the Artistic Director to decide what constitutes a major emergency (i.e. death in the family).

Theater Tech Week Schedule
Please familiarize yourselves with this beast. There may be some changes, but this will give you the basic idea. Happy to review page by page with new families — it can be a Zoom support group format!

2025 Theater Tech Week Schedule — Please ask if you have any questions! (as of 10/15 and subject to change)

Please clear your schedule of all conflicts. All rehearsals after Thanksgiving weekend, all of Tech Week rehearsals, and all performances are required for the entire cast.

Dancers and Parents:  Please notify your dance studio teachers that you may be missing their classes or studio company rehearsals.

Reading the Schedule
Please read all schedules carefully. We encourage parents to print a hard copy, review all days and both studios, then highlight each rehearsal time pertaining to their dancer. If you are unsure, feel free to ask for clarification!

(Subject to Change)

Act One:

Opening Scene:
Delivery Boy, Mistletoe Vendors, Ice Skaters, Carolers, Drosselmeyer, Drosselmeyer’s Assistant (Prince), and Families: Michael F, Ellie, Michelle, Bryan, Katie, Olivia, Daphne, Leah, Nellie, Samara

Party Scene (approx. 30 min):
Drosselmeyer, Drosselmeyer's Assistant/Nutcracker Prince, Clara, Fritz, Mother, Father, Butler, Maid, Dolls, Governess, Grandmother, Guests, Friends, Girls and Boys

The Magical Battle (aka Fight Scene, approx. 10 min, plus 5 min for Transformation):
Clara, Nutcracker Prince, Rat King, Hench Mice, Lead Mice, Little Mice, General, Captains, Soldiers, Ornaments, Drosselmeyer

Snow Scene (approx. 11 min):
Clara, Nutcracker Prince, Snow King and Queen, Demi-Soloists, Snowflakes (Corps)

Act Two:

Moonflower Fairy, Angels, Clara and Prince

Welcome Garden:
Butterflies, Royal Attendants, Bluebells, Violets,
Plus:  Clara, Prince, Chocolate, (2) Shepherdesses, Tea, Trepak, Coffee, Rose

Order of Variations:
Chocolate from Spain
Marzipan from Denmark (Shepherdesses, Sheep, Wolf)
Tea from China
Coffee from Arabia
Mother Ginger and Gingersnaps
Trepak from Russia

Waltz of the Flowers:
Rose Queen, Demi-soloists, Flower Corps, Rosebuds

Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier

Finale:
Clara and Prince- Skye, Ben
Snow Queen- Kate
Rose Queen and Flower demis- Ava, Kiley, Genevieve
Chocolate soloist- Wynn
Tea soloist- Betty
Coffee- Robbie, Lindley
Marzipan- Carmen, Josie, Rhea
Trepak- Thea, Eva, Keely
Moonflower Fairy- Ellette
Butterflies- Layla, Natalie
Ballerina Doll- Ashley

Want to Carpool?
Please use the GCB bulletin board to post your name, phone, general neighborhood and your "dancer's variation/role" then others can connect with you! We are happy to pass along your contact information to a specific parent as well.

ALERT:  Almost all communication takes place via email. If you are a Gmail user, check your Promotions folder for GCB emails. If you are not getting regular emails from GCB, please contact Caroline@gardencityballet.org to be added to the e-list.