Most dancers get their first performance experiences in community productions of The Nutcracker Ballet. It's a great opportunity for young dancers to get stage experience. Many students perform the same roles, and older students have certainly performed these parts in years past. There's usually lots of support among Nutcracker dancers, and the holiday atmosphere leads to a super fun experience.
That said, dancing in a production is a huge commitment. Dancers must be mature and able to learn choreography. They must be able to handle the stress of performances (sometimes 10 or more shows). Rehearsing takes a few hours a week for a month or more. There will also be fees and expenses to factor in.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with skipping a performance opportunity if a dancer isn't ready, but sometimes just knowing what to expect can make the experience easier. In the rest of this post, I'll lay out what is required of most young dancers during their first Nutcracker performances.
First, there will be an audition, which normally happens in late summer or early fall (which is why this post is going up NOW, not closer to Christmas). Sometimes you must register in advance, and some auditions are walk in. There is also sometimes an audition fee (usually in the $20-$40 range), and some ask dancers to bring headshots. Dancers will usually have to wear a specific dress code (generally black leo-pink tights for girls, white top-black tights for boys). Be sure to do your research and be prepared. Auditionees will have to pin numbers to their clothing, which helps directors connect names and faces as they cast the ballet.
For kids under 12, the audition is usually a low pressure ballet class. The students will do things they usually do in regular dance classes. There may be sections of choreography taught, which the students will have to learn and perform in small groups. Young students are not usually expected to show off anything too advanced (like pointe work or big complex jumps or turns), and there's nothing wrong with making a few mistakes as long as students try their best.
Casting is usually posted anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks later. In Nutcracker, most young kids are cast as party children, mice, soldiers, angels, or polichinelles (the clown children that pop out from Mother Ginger's skirt). Sometimes children are background in other scenes such as snow or Chinese, and this varies from company to company. In small productions, children may receive multiple roles. There may be a fee (called a "casting fee" or "rehearsal fee") at this time. This money usually goes to the care/creation of costumes and payment of the rehearsal assistants. Rehearsal fees range from $20 to a few hundred dollars, depending on the company.
For each part cast, expect about one hour of rehearsal per the week. As it gets closer to the performances, expect this to increase, with the maximum being up to two hours of rehearsal per day (this usually happens the week leading up to opening night). Most studios also require the students dancing in the show to continue attending their regular ballet classes.
Attendance at all rehearsals is required except in cases of illness, injury, and family emergency. Students must be present at all performances. If the rehearsals and performances conflict with another activity or family plans, it's better for your student not to commit to being in the performance. It's also unacceptable for a student to decide to "drop out" of the show after rehearsals have started. It's ok to get cast, see the schedule, and decide participation will not work out, but this decision must be made on the spot after casting. If you can, bring a copy of your family schedule to the studio or theater when you initially look at the cast list to help you see how rehearsals and performances will fit in. You cannot plan to take a family vacation during the rehearsal or performance period. If you are already committed to going somewhere during the holiday season, your child may not be able to participate in the performance. (Most small-company Nutcrackers run generally from Thanksgiving to Mid-December or Mid-December to Christmas. Some large company productions run from Thanksgiving to New Year's Eve.)
Once your child begins rehearsing, he or she will be expected to learn and remember the choreography. Students will often be given corrections on how to improve their performances. Most directors and rehearsal assistants are gentle when working with children, but they can occasionally become frustrated and tell students they are "doing a bad job" or something like that. Students must be able to apply corrections and not take things like this too personally.
As the show approaches, you will probably be given a list of things your student needs to buy for the show. He or she may need a nude leotard, tights, new ballet shoes (or ballet shoes in a different color), and makeup. These items can cost $50 to $100, but many of them are reusable. (A child can wear new tights to class later, or wear a nude leotard under costumes in many different shows before it is outgrown). You will also receive a list of rules and procedures for the theater. Most companies require child dancers to be dropped off and picked up in a specific location at specific times. Make sure you can comply with this, or coordinate with another parent to carpool.
When dress rehearsals and shows approach, things can get hectic. Directors and dancers tend to get stressed out. Many evening shows don't start until 7 or 8pm and can run until 10 or later. Make sure you and your child can deal with this--afternoon naps and healthy snacks are definitely helpful. Sometimes people (directors, dancers, etc.) can get grumpy or emotional.
Sometimes backstage environments are crowded, not super clean, and age separation can get weird. Usually young elementary school children are kept busy backstage with activities and adult chaperones, but sometimes children ages 10 and up are put together with teen dancers who are supposed to be mentoring them. This can be an extremely good experience if the older dancers are mature and helpful, but sometimes conversations turn to boyfriends, menstrual cycles, and songs with dirty lyrics. Most of the time it's no big deal, but be aware of what could go on.
Attend your child's performance as an audience member at least once. You will probably have to purchase a ticket for anywhere from $15 to nearly $100, depending on the venue and company in question. Meet your child after the performance and congratulate him or her, regardless of what happened during the show. If you can provide a small gift, like flowers or a card, it's appropriate to give it to your child now.
It may seem like a lot is involved in supporting a child through a run of The Nutcracker, and it's true. There is a lot. However, if a child has aspirations to dance as a professional, early stage experience is priceless. It's extremely helpful in getting a student on the right foot for a professional dance track.
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