Spring Break?

Spring Break

Vacations

A break from the usual routine...

Not so much this year.

The first Saturday of Spring Break
was spent at rehearsals.

On the first Sunday,
our family managed a couple of hours
on a nature hike
(which was a requirement
for my daughter
in celebrating the
100th Anniversary of Girl Scouts).

The hike was immediately followed by
a trip to the home supply store
for supplies needed
to paint a backdrop
for a fundraiser
for the ballet studio
during the Spring Performance.

On Monday,
my children and I,
with the help of a couple
of young family members,
painted a backdrop,
complete with
a castle
in the mountains,
a pumpkin
(for Cinderella),
a friendly dragon,
and, of course,
a winding path to the castle.

On Tuesday,
there was a number
of things accomplished:

1) There was a ballet class
and rehearsals.

2) Errands to buy much needed
household cleaners
and
some aloe
(for our sunburn patches
from painting the backdrop
in our driveway for eight hours).

3) An hour before sunset,
prop wooden boxes were painted
by the whole family.

It should be noted that,
due to these prop boxes:

a) My husband has had
many sleepless nights
trying to envision how
to make them sturdy enough
to bear the weight of dancers
and big enough
for dancers to pop out.

b) Spent countless hours
and weeks making the boxes.

c) As well as,
taking two days off from work
last week to make them smaller
(and not allowing him to take off
during Spring Break).

On Wednesday,
as well, there were quite
a few things accomplished:

1) My email was checked by noon.
(Gasp, yes, I have been so tired
and falling asleep around midnight,
instead of several hours afterwards.)

2) School work meant
attending a homeschool
yearbook training meeting.
(Alas, homeschoolers
rarely ever get breaks.)

3) Errands for going out of town
for ballet classes, which included
a trip to the dancewear store for
more pointe shoes.

4) The whole family
was able to attend to church
because regular ballet classes
were canceled for Spring Break.

5) Our family had a supper picnic
with homeschool friends.

6) Pointe shoe ribbons
and elastics were sewn.

7) Girl Scout plans were made.

On Thursday,
my son packed the car
with the bags that three of us
had packed the night before.

While watching the kids take
an extra ballet class from
one of their favorite teachers
at our home studio,
my blog was being updated.

Then, we hit the road
for a two hour trip,
which included just over
a half hour of rush hour traffic,
to another favorite ballet studio
for a ballet class.

On Friday,
because we stayed with family,
we only had a twenty minute commute
to take classes at the out-of-town studio.

A drive home in pouring rain,
rush hour traffic,
and eleven miles
of stop-n-go traffic
due to a wreck,
made a two hour trip
take four hours.

The last two days of Spring Break
will be spent
at the ballet studio
in rehearsals and
finishing costumes and props
before Tech Week
begins on Monday.

Note: Pictures will be added at a later date.
This month has been so hectic
that there has been little time
to teach me a new trick.

Nutcracker- My Son's Roles

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.]

Nutcracker Backstage Version

One of the fun things about Nutcracker is the camaraderie among the backstage helpers.

While sewing costumes, building props, moving into and out of the theatre, and working backstage during a performance, patterns begin to emerge in the way people act and react, often based on their part or their child's part in Nutcracker.

Over the years, a Nutcracker Backstage Version has emerged in our minds.

We have only discussed this version and never really written anything down, so here is my attempt at some of the ideas.

Act I: Scene 1

Backstage Costume Room less than five minutes before performance:

Costumes are being frantically sewn and pinned together at the last minute.

Young ladies with nervous giggles are being sewn into their tutus.

Pointe shoe ribbons and boys' shoe elastics are being sewn at the last minute and blood is being drawn with each stitch.

Party Men are nervously asking how to put the costume together.

And, Party Boys are being wrangled to make sure that their costumes are in order.

Act I: Scene 2

Backstage Wings:

Dancers are jumping up and down to keep warm and fight off nervousness.

Dancers are checking each others' costumes.

Little ones and some Nutcracker veterans are being yelled at by the backstage crew to leave the props alone.

And, there are lots of "shs" being sounded.

Act I: Scene 3

As Clara gets ready to go on stage, her mom is frantically making sure that every curl is in place with more hairspray.

Clara's hair ribbon is getting pinned to her head with cries from her mom of:

"Now don't cry!

I'm sorry!

Yes, I should have used a bobby pin, not a safety pin that was meant for your dress ribbon.

Stop yelling at me!

Smile, it's time for you to go on stage.

Remember to smile..."
(as Clara runs on stage just in time).

Act I: Scene 4

The director is frantically trying to get someone's attention on stage because they forgot to take off their backstage socks that they wear over the ballet shoes.

Note: Socks are worn over the ballet slippers backstage so that wax is not brought on stage, which could make the floor too slippery for the pointe shoe dancers.

Act I: Scene 5

The backstage crew is cursing under their breath because of all the Party props that have to be removed off stage before the Battle begins.

To top it all off, no matter which way they attempt to clear a path for themselves and the props, there are dancers and moms getting in their way at every turn.

Act I: Scene 6

The Snow Scene begins and beautiful dancers run on and off stage between their pieces.

All one can hear is "THUD, THUD, THUD"
(not to the music)
of the pointe shoes on stage

and

the PANTING of the dancers as they try to catch a quick breath before running back on stage.

Intermission:

Parents, family, and friends are flooding backstage to congratulate the dancers and take pictures among the chaos of trying to prepare for Act II.

The little ones are being wrangled to get their costumes off before they try to eat a snack.

Company Ballet Dancers are doing a last minute hair, make-up, and costume check.

Mothers are telling their daughters to go to "So-and-So" because it is easier to deal with another child that is not your own whiny one.

Act II: Scene I

Angel moms are obsessing over the costumes, trying to make sure they are "perfect" before their princesses go on stage.

As the angels go on stage, their moms are trying to take pictures with flashes on their cameras.

Note: Flashes should never be used at a dance performance because it can temporarily blind the dancers.

Note: Flashes going off backstage can often be seen by the audience- a very big "no, no."

Backstage crew is muttering under their breath about "newbies,"
as the angels and their moms take their time to leave the backstage wings and walk where they are not allowed in a possible "audience may see backstage zone."

Act II: Scene 2

Instead of dancers on stage, the moms and some dads in some very gaudy costumes have decided to imitate the dances that they have seen year after year to the same music that they hear year after year.

The dancers are looking very appalled backstage.

Act II: Scene 3

The backstage crew and props people have put police tape around the props as a reminder to not touch.

The Nutcracker has been wrapped in bubble wrap before being returned to Clara on stage because the backstage props crew is tired of repairing it year after year.

A few Party Girls are in tears because the Fritz took their chocolate and other candies and tried to rub it on them.

And, Fritz, well, let's just say he really is in
"Time Out"
(since spankings are no longer allowed in this day and age).

The End!

Nutcracker- My Daughter's Roles

My daughter could not wait
until she was old enough
to be in Nutcracker.

It was three years
after her brother,
(even though she is
two years younger),
that she was able to start
her Nutcracker career
at the age of eight (almost nine).

In 2005,
she was a
Small Mouse,
like her brother
had been.

Due to new choreography,
my daughter had to be told
that she could not teach
the other mice the part;
she was a little disappointed,
but she loved
that she got to steal a prop-
Clara's doll house.

In 2006,
she was a
Small Animated Doll.

She was great
at being motionless
at times
and
was very precise
and mechanical-like
in her movements.

And, she had her
adorable dimples
frozen in her smile.

In 2007,
she finally got to try-out
for Clara.

In the years leading up
to her first Nutcracker,
she would often tell
her ballet teachers
that she wanted to be Clara.

They would remind her
that she had to start
with other roles
and try-out for Clara
when she was old enough
and at the appropriate
ballet level.

However, 2007 was not
her year as Clara,
but she got to be a
Party Girl.

In 2008,
she knew that if she
did not get to be Clara,
she would soon be
too old for the part;
we were elated
when she got the role of
Clara.

Also in 2008,
my husband was finally convinced
to help build some props
(he led the family
in making the doll bed
for the Nutcracker prop,
as well as,
the life-size rolling bed
for the "living" Nutcracker)
and
he began working backstage
during performances.

In 2009,
my daughter got to play
a very mischievous
Mouse.

This time,
all the girls were older
so that they would
look bigger and human size.

Also, in 2009,
my daughter finally got
into the Second Act in the
Arabian Corp.

Most of the girls
had been looking forward
to the choreography
of the Arabian piece,
but it was changed.

My daughter did a great job
of learning and performing
the new piece.

After reviewing
my son's roles,
my daughter's roles,
and the family participation
(props, costumes, backstage)
of all that we did
for Nutcrackers in 2009,
it seems almost a blur
of activity-
but we really enjoyed that year!

In 2010,
my daughter joined Junior Company
and got the role of a
(French) Shepherdess
and danced "en pointe."

Shepherdesses costumes
were reconfigured from the previous
Mirliton costumes
by several volunteers-
It seemed we were always working,
reworking, and reworking some more
on the new Shepherdesses costumes.

During Thanksgiving holidays,
which was the week before
Tech/Dress Rehearsal Week,
I was handed a couple
of costume pictures
and a cardboard mock-up
of a Shepherdess hat.

After many hours spent
reworking the mock-up
and creating and sewing
a sample hat
out of rigid felt
during the Thanksgiving holidays,
I began Tech/Dress Rehearsal
with the goal of nine hats
to be made in a week.

The last couple of days
of Tech/Dress Rehearsal,
several volunteer moms
and dancers,
including some
of the Shepherdesses,
were sewing on the trim
and loops for bobby pins.

There were several
bleeding fingers
in this labor of love
to top off a great costume.

In fact, I was sewing
on the trim for the last hat
during the First Act
of the first performance.

Although a couple
of the girls
put on their hats
at the last minute
and they had to be readjusted
before they went back on stage,
none of them ever fell off.

In 2011,
my daughter was an
Arabian Demi-Soloist
and was in the
Rose Flower Corp.

After several years
of attempted bribes
to get my daughter
into full splits
before the next Nutcracker,
getting a role that required splits
finally encouraged her to finish
getting her splits.

And, this year it was even more fun
to watch the Waltz of the Flowers
with my daughter "en pointe"
and spinning in her skirt
with her beautiful smile.

Ms Meg

Ms Meg is my hero.

She has the patience of a saint when it comes to toddlers and very young children.

Her talents include gymnastics, ballet, choreography, wonderful stage make-up, props, and friendship.

Both my children started gymnastics as toddlers with Ms Meg and then took Creative Ballet (pre-pre ballet) with her for about three to four years each.

Ms Meg's daughter, her daughter's best friend, and my son were all the same age and took ballet class together with Ms Meg.

After class, the three of them and my daughter would color, play games, or figure out some way to stick around the ballet studio for an extra hour or so.

When my daughter tagged along to ballet class, Ms Meg would allow her to sit quietly in the studio and then participate for some of the exercises.

Due to the strict rule about being four years old to begin ballet, my daughter's January birthday prohibited her from beginning her own ballet class in the fall.

After many tears, I reluctantly agreed to let my daughter take dance at another dance studio where she took a combination class of ballet, tap, gymnastics, and singing.

Between the class being at my daughter's natural evening slow down time, my daughter only liking the ballet and gymnastics (which she was also taking somewhere else), and the studio wanting recital money in December for an "unknown" costume for May, I begged Ms Meg to please let my daughter take ballet classes with her the day after she turned four in January.
Ms Meg, thankfully, agreed!

When my son had his first Cavalier role during Nutcracker 2010, I cried on Ms Meg's shoulder and she recalled my son's attempt to quit rehearsing for his first ballet performance.

Apparently, he thought because he knew the dance, that practice was over; Ms Meg said that he could refuse to participate, but he would not be going on stage- my son promptly got up and joined the class.

While practicing on stage before their first performance, Ms Meg explained that they would not be able to see their parents during the performance due to the bright lights.

When asked after the performance if he could see the audience, my son's matter-of-fact reply, "Mom, you know Ms Meg said we wouldn't be able to see the audience because of the bright lights."

Ms Meg had also told the parents to get a base make-up that was a shade darker than their children's skin tone so that they would not be washed out by the stage lights.
And, yes, boys had to wear it too.

My son decided that he was not wearing make-up; Ms Meg suggested putting it on him at the last minute.

So, at the last minute before leaving the green room, my son allowed me to apply some base; and, as he was standing in line to go on stage, some blush was sneakily applied.

And, Ms Meg had a wipe to remove the make-up afterward.

Of course, the number of flower head pieces made for her budding ballerinas, extra details put on costumes and special costumes created for my son, and her handmade props- including a fire-breathing Chinese dragon that my son used for one of Ms Meg's beautiful choreographed "Chinese" pieces for Nutcracker- makes Ms Meg an artist extraordinaire.

About Behind the Ballet Barre

The intention of this blog is to share my memories and things learned through and about ballet since my son began taking ballet at the age of 4 1/2 in 1999 and my 2 1/2 year old daughter tagged along and begged to be included in the class too.

A few years later, I began taking beginning adult ballet classes.


As the children became more involved in more ballet and dance classes, our time at the dance studio increases and other activities slowly decrease.

After the first several Nutcrackers, I finally convinced my husband that watching from backstage was so much more enjoyable, especially if one is helping; and, now, being at the ballet studio is a family affair- including building props and helping with costumes.

While my son and daughter love performing and helping behind the scenes, my husband and I have no desire to be on stage when the curtain is up.

As my son pursues a career in classical ballet and my daughter applies what she learns in dance to other aspects of her life, my goal is to make sure that we have more than a few memorable "Behind the Ballet Barre" memories.