presents The Nutcracker

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Donald Richards
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1 presents The Nutcracker December 2015

HOW TO BE A GOOD AUDIENCE A good audience: After watching The Bristol Bal- let s performance of The Nutcracker and using the work- book, please take a moment to fill out this evaluation form.

Does not talk aloud or annoy others Does not bring food into the theatre Does not run in the lobby or theatre Does not throw objects or fidget with things Does not lie down, lean on neighbors, or

2 HOW TO BE A GOOD AUDIENCE A good audience: After watching The Bristol Bal- let s performance of The Nutcracker and using the work- book, please take a moment to fill out this evaluation form. Your answers will assist us in planning future programs and in meeting the needs of your students. Does not talk aloud or annoy others Does not bring food into the theatre Does not run in the lobby or theatre Does not throw objects or fidget with things Does not lie down, lean on neighbors, or sleep Does not leave trash in the theatre Turns off their cell phones Pays attention to the show Applauds when the dancers take a bow Name of school and system: Are you a student or teacher? If a teacher, Grade level: Subject area taught: Rate the following from 1 to 5, with 5 being the best. The ballet was a positive experience for you I used/did the activities from the workbook The activities in the study guide were helpful in preparing for the performance I would attend another Bristol Ballet performance Which activity did your students enjoy the most? Did your or your students impression/opinion of ballet change after this production? Is there anything you would like to see added or changed? Additional comments or suggestions?

3 Design and decorate a costume for this ballerina. Basic Ballet Positions First Position: The balls of the feet are turned out completely. The heels touch each other and the feet face outward, trying to form a straight line. Second Position: The balls of the feet are turned out completely, with the heels separated by the length of one foot. Similar to first position., but the feet are spread apart. Third Position: One foot is in front of the other with the front foot touching the middle of the back foot. Fourth Position: The feet are placed the same as third position, but one step apart. Fifth Position: With both feet touching, the toes of each foot reach the heel of the other.

Alexandre Dumas Père s adaptation of the story by E.T.A. Hoffmann was set to music by Tchaikovsky and originally choreographed by Marius Petipa.

Since premiering in western countries in the 1940s, this ballet has become perhaps the most popular to be performed around Christmas time.

The composer made a selection of eight of the more popular pieces before the ballet s December 1892 premiere, forming what is currently known as the

The suite became instantly popular; however the complete ballet did not achieve its great popularity as a Christmas performance event until almost

Write a report about a famous ballet dancer. Begin your search by looking up the February 13, 1995 issue of Time Magazine (page 72).

4 Did you know?... Study about it. The origin of The Nutcracker, a classic Christmas Story, is a fairy tale ballet in two acts centered on a family s Christmas Eve celebration. Alexandre Dumas Père s adaptation of the story by E.T.A. Hoffmann was set to music by Tchaikovsky and originally choreographed by Marius Petipa. It was commissioned by the director of Moscow s Imperial Theatres, Ivan Vsevolozhsky, in 1891, and premiered a week before Christmas Since premiering in western countries in the 1940s, this ballet has become perhaps the most popular to be performed around Christmas time. The story centers on a young girl s Christmas Eve and her awakening to the wider world and romantic love. The composer made a selection of eight of the more popular pieces before the ballet s December 1892 premiere, forming what is currently known as the Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a, as is heard in Moscow Ballet productions. The suite became instantly popular; however the complete ballet did not achieve its great popularity as a Christmas performance event until almost 100 years later. How do you prepare to be a professional dancer? What is a person that makes up a dance called? Write a report about a famous ballet dancer. Begin your search by looking up the February 13, 1995 issue of Time Magazine (page 72). Male dancers must be very strong to leap, jump and lift ballerinas. Research the muscles a male dancer must develop. When dancers stop dancing they must take up a new career. Many become teachers, choreographers, or directors. What is a choreographer? Students: On this page highlight the nouns in pink and the verbs in green! What famous painter and sculptor enjoyed watching dancers in Paris? He created La Petite Daneuse ( The Little Dancer made out of bronze)

The Nutcracker Post Performance Discussion Questions 1. What was your favorite part of the ballet? (For example: the music, the costumes, the scenery, the movement) 2.

5 The Nutcracker Post Performance Discussion Questions 1. What was your favorite part of the ballet? (For example: the music, the costumes, the scenery, the movement) 2. Was it hard to follow the story without words? 3. Do you think it is hard to dance on the tips of your toes? 4. Did you like the ballet? 5. Would you like to see another ballet in the future? 6. Pick any character. What emotions did you see in that character? 7. Do you think that the ballet is an athletic activity similar to football or gymnastics? Why or why not? The Nutcracker Ballet Word Search C H I N E S E E G D D N S E K I S H T Q G W Y L U R A R Q N H S I N A P S H V A U I E N K Y K S V O K I A H C T S W Z D D A N C E R S Z S I T S O O F T E L L A B E C N A D U L H N Y L I M A F K Z U I L R F U M R E Y E M L E S S O R D T S U V T B K P C G S R M Y C R W L C F G V E I I X R A R E I O P F R I T Z S F N D A I V R N R E N S Z X U T I C D U Y G S A R C Y G J M L K L P S R G P G V I I S G O E O C L A R A E U T C E M H R S N A I B A R A S ARABIAN BALLET CHINESE CLARA DANCE DANCERS DROSSELMEYER FAMILY FLOWERS FRITZ GIFT HOLIDAY MICE MUSIC NUTCRACKER RUSSIAN SNOW SOLDIERS SPANISH SUGARPLUM TCHAIKOVSKY

6 What Do You Think? Consider the Dance of the Snowflakes scene in The Nutcracker. What types of animals might you find living in this type of habitat? What else might you find living in this habitat (plants, trees, insects, etc)? Write and illustrate your ideas below. The Nutcracker: Act I: The Adventure Begins Fill in the blanks with the words from the word bank below. Clara s begins to shake and she wakes up to find that the Christmas tree has grown and the has come to life. Other toys have also come to life and an group of mice enter the room. The horrible challenges the Nutcracker to fight, but saves the Nutcracker by conquering the Mouse King with her. The Nutcracker is transformed into a who takes Clara on a fantastic. They then encounter the snowflakes and the with whom she dances. A beautiful carries Clara and the Nutcracker to see the in the Land of Sweets. Mouse King pillow Clara evil Snow Queen shoe Sugar Plum Fairy Nutcracker swan Prince journey

notice that ballet dancers do not speak.

See if your class can read your body talk.

7 Can you? Color the characters from The Nutcracker You will notice that ballet dancers do not speak. They often use body talk or mime to act out the story. Act out a scene from The Nutcracker with a friend. See if your class can read your body talk. Can you remember. Name the different characters/sweets from the second act. What props were on the stage? What was your favorite dance in the Land of Sweets?

8 Fairy Tales Use the Venn Diagram below to compare and contrast The Nutcracker with another folktale or story. Use the diagram to help you write a paragraph about The Nutcracker and the other story you chose. The Nutcracker Maze The Nutcracker doll is lost! Can you help Clara find the way to her friend?

Table of Contents Table of Contents History of the Nutcracker Ballet Ballet Story Synopsis Scene Outline Additional Reading List Lesson Plans Grade

Table of Contents Table of Contents Page 2 History of the Nutcracker Ballet Page 3 Ballet Story Synopsis Page 4 Scene Outline Page 5 Additional Reading List Page 32 Lesson Plans Grade Page Lesson Plan: