My son began performing
in Nutcracker in 2002.
The requirement for participation
was that one had to be
eight years old.
Sometimes, due to the fact
that there are few boys
in ballet, boys were allowed
to perform at seven years old.
The previous year,
my son had asked if he could perform
since he would be turning seven
during the performance weekend,
but was told that he could understudy.
So, he began as a seven year old
and turned eight
on the last day of performances.
The first year,
he was a
Small Mouse
and got to steal a prop-
the Nutcracker.
One of my favorite memories
of that year
was one of the older boys,
who was playing the Nutcracker,
took my son under his wing
and
I managed to get a picture
from behind
of the Nutcracker
with his arm around
a Small Mouse.
[As soon as the photo
is located and scanned,
it will appear in this post!]
My son played a
Party Boy
from 2003 - 2006.
The first couple of years,
he really loved it.
The next couple of years,
he liked it,
but was ready to move on
to other parts.
In 2006,
he was finally able to get
a part in the Second Act
as a (French) Mirliton
with the Junior Company dancers
and
had the role for two years.
He began partnering
with a couple of the girls
within the piece.
In 2007,
he was a little reluctant to play
Fritz,
due to being tired
of the Party Scene,
but did a great job.
Also in 2007,
he loved his role of
Nutcracker
because he got to
sword fight.
In 2008,
Ms Meg
(who has a feature
in a January post,
but I cannot figure out
how to link)
choreographed
Chinese
and
my son performed
with two girls
with rhythmic ribbons
while he carried
a dragon head that blew smoke
(that Ms Meg created).
Another highlight
of the piece was the
Chinese stage make-up
(that Ms Meg researched
and applied).
From 2008 - 2010,
my son was an
Animated Toy Soldier.
His performance in 2009
earned him a local
performance award.
In 2009,
my son was in
Spanish
with two girls.
This was the year
that I really started
helping with costumes,
especially the details
on the Spanish tops
for both the female
and the male costumes.
Another first in 2009,
my son was asked to perform
as a guest artist
in a town about thirty miles
from us
in the role of
Nutcracker Prince.
This added extra rehearsals,
extra driving,
and
an extended Nutcracker season
by a week.
Still, our family loved it
because
we made more ballet contacts,
got more ideas for Nutcracker
props and costumes,
and
enjoyed the family time together.
In 2010,
my son got his first role as a
Cavalier
(Orchid Cavalier).
He got to partner
and
have a small solo
within the piece
(meaning-
he did not have
the stage to himself,
but was the only one dancing
for a few minutes).
When watching him
in one of the final dress rehearsals,
I realized how far my son had come
in his dancing abilities
and
I had to cry
on Ms Meg's shoulder;
She remembered his first year
of class
and trying to refuse
to rehearse
because he
"knew the dance."
He was also nominated
for a local
performance award
in this role.
In 2011,
my son was
Sugar Plum Cavalier!
One of my favorite things
was hearing the compliments
about how far he had come
as a dancer
and
how professional he looked
in his dance;
especially since he plans
to become a professional
ballet dancer.
[There will be photos posted
as soon as snapshots are
found, scanned, uploaded, etc.
and permission is obtained
from the professional photographer.]
in Nutcracker in 2002.
The requirement for participation
was that one had to be
eight years old.
Sometimes, due to the fact
that there are few boys
in ballet, boys were allowed
to perform at seven years old.
The previous year,
my son had asked if he could perform
since he would be turning seven
during the performance weekend,
but was told that he could understudy.
So, he began as a seven year old
and turned eight
on the last day of performances.
The first year,
he was a
Small Mouse
and got to steal a prop-
the Nutcracker.
One of my favorite memories
of that year
was one of the older boys,
who was playing the Nutcracker,
took my son under his wing
and
I managed to get a picture
from behind
of the Nutcracker
with his arm around
a Small Mouse.
[As soon as the photo
is located and scanned,
it will appear in this post!]
My son played a
Party Boy
from 2003 - 2006.
The first couple of years,
he really loved it.
The next couple of years,
he liked it,
but was ready to move on
to other parts.
In 2006,
he was finally able to get
a part in the Second Act
as a (French) Mirliton
with the Junior Company dancers
and
had the role for two years.
He began partnering
with a couple of the girls
within the piece.
In 2007,
he was a little reluctant to play
Fritz,
due to being tired
of the Party Scene,
but did a great job.
Also in 2007,
he loved his role of
Nutcracker
because he got to
sword fight.
In 2008,
Ms Meg
(who has a feature
in a January post,
but I cannot figure out
how to link)
choreographed
Chinese
and
my son performed
with two girls
with rhythmic ribbons
while he carried
a dragon head that blew smoke
(that Ms Meg created).
Another highlight
of the piece was the
Chinese stage make-up
(that Ms Meg researched
and applied).
From 2008 - 2010,
my son was an
Animated Toy Soldier.
His performance in 2009
earned him a local
performance award.
In 2009,
my son was in
Spanish
with two girls.
This was the year
that I really started
helping with costumes,
especially the details
on the Spanish tops
for both the female
and the male costumes.
Another first in 2009,
my son was asked to perform
as a guest artist
in a town about thirty miles
from us
in the role of
Nutcracker Prince.
This added extra rehearsals,
extra driving,
and
an extended Nutcracker season
by a week.
Still, our family loved it
because
we made more ballet contacts,
got more ideas for Nutcracker
props and costumes,
and
enjoyed the family time together.
In 2010,
my son got his first role as a
Cavalier
(Orchid Cavalier).
He got to partner
and
have a small solo
within the piece
(meaning-
he did not have
the stage to himself,
but was the only one dancing
for a few minutes).
When watching him
in one of the final dress rehearsals,
I realized how far my son had come
in his dancing abilities
and
I had to cry
on Ms Meg's shoulder;
She remembered his first year
of class
and trying to refuse
to rehearse
because he
"knew the dance."
He was also nominated
for a local
performance award
in this role.
In 2011,
my son was
Sugar Plum Cavalier!
One of my favorite things
was hearing the compliments
about how far he had come
as a dancer
and
how professional he looked
in his dance;
especially since he plans
to become a professional
ballet dancer.
[There will be photos posted
as soon as snapshots are
found, scanned, uploaded, etc.
and permission is obtained
from the professional photographer.]
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