Schedule

Covid:  It’s going around. Please follow these guidelines.

Friendly Reminder:  Performance fees are due (and late fee of $50 applies on Oct 1).

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!

Current Schedule

Sept 20-22 (Costume fittings this weekend — go to 800 Kensington, LL2 — for Nightingale, Ballerina Doll, Ornaments, Fritz, Party Boys, Clara’s Friends, Party Girls, Butterflies, Violets, Royal Attendants, Bluebells)

Note: Here is the season’s rehearsal “template” which 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.

Alert:  Due to our guest artist from Chile being delayed in his arrival to Missoula, Marie has needed to deviate a bit from the template on Saturdays until further notice.

It is your responsibility to carefully check the schedule each Wednesday (or later). 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).

Missing a Rehearsal?
Please let us know immediately if you have known absences from September-November (i.e. plane tickets booked, college trips scheduled, upcoming wedding, etc.) 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 (Caroline)

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!

Tech Week (note: this is the schedule from last year – 2023 – to give new families an idea) — Please ask if you have any questions!

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, Carolers, Ice Skaters, Drosselmeyer, Drosselmeyer’s Assistant, Party Scene Families (tbd)

Party Scene (approx. 30 min):
Drosselmeyer, Drosselmeyer’s Assistant/Nutcracker Prince, Clara, Fritz, Mother, Father, Butler, Maid, Dolls, Governess, Grandmothers, 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, Nutcracker Prince, Rose Queen, Waltz of the Flower Demis, Chocolate soloist, Tea soloist, Trepak from Russia

Order of Variations:
Chocolate from Spain
Marzipan from Denmark (Shepherdesses and Sheep)
Tea from China
Nightingale
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, Nutcracker Prince, Rose Queen, Nightingale soloist, Chocolate soloist, Tea soloist, Ballerina Doll, Butterflies, Moonflower Fairy, Shepherdesses, Russian

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.