Schedule

(Almost all communication takes place via email. If you are a Gmail user, check your Promotions folder for GCB emails!)

Current Schedule

ALERT #1 (updated at 3:42 pm) – costume fittings will happen this weekend for Little Mice, Rosebuds, Sheep, Fritz, Party Boys, Gingersnaps, Butterflies, Harlequin, Toy Soldier, Shepherdesses and Tea Soloist.

ALERT #2 – the performance fee is due Sunday, Oct 1 (by midnight) – if you need to set up a payment plan, please get in touch – if you are selling coffee/granola, we ask that you pay the fee and then get reimbursed after you complete the sales – a late fee of $50 will be assessed if payment is not received and you have not been in touch to make other arrangements, thanks!

Rehearsal schedule for September 29 – October 1 (lots of costume fittings – see updated Alert #1 above) – note: many costume fittings follow your rehearsal time – the schedule allows for 30 minutes to travel from the ballet studio to 800 Kensington – there is parking on both the north and south sides of the building – we will start when all dancers arrive, so just head directly over, thanks!

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! Feel free to ask Caroline to pass along your contact information to a specific parent as well… happy to do that.

What if my dancer has COVID or is a close contact? click here

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, Administrative 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 — this is last year’s schedule to give you an idea — the 2023 schedule will be posted later this season

Please clear your schedule of all conflicts. Tech Week rehearsals and all ticketed 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, Families

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 Princess, 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

2023 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:
(pending)

ALERT:  If you are not getting regular emails from GCB, please contact Caroline@gardencityballet.org to be added to the e-list.