PARTICIPANT HANDBOOK & FAQ s

Verona Youth Ballet Nutcracker 2015 PARTICIPANT HANDBOOK & FAQ s VERONA YOUTH BALLET 411 PRAIRIE HEIGHTS DRIVE (Verona Athletic Center) VERONA, WI 53593 veronayouthballet@gmail.com veronayouthballet.org Charmaine Ristow, Artistic Director

CONTENTS WHAT ABOUT AUDITIONS?...3 WHAT DO WE WEAR?...3 WHAT IS THE REHEARSAL SCHEDULE?...4 WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT REHEARSALS?...4 WHAT IF I HAVE TO BE ABSENT FOR A REHEARSAL?...4 WHAT ABOUT PERFORMANCE HAIR AND MAKE-UP?...5 WHAT SHOULD I EAT?...5 WHAT ABOUT COSTUMES?...6 HOW DO I BUY TICKETS?...6 WHAT ABOUT THEATER REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCE DAY?...6 WHAT DO I NEED TO HAVE WITH ME?...7 HOW CAN I HELP?...7 2

All communications take place via email, so please check yours regularly. Remove veronayouthballet@gmail.com from your spam blocker and look for messages WEEKLY! When you receive an email, download and print it. Put it in a Nutcracker folder and carry it in your dance bag, purse, etc. General information and forms to download can also be found at www.veronayouthballet.org. Thank you for taking time to carefully read this with your dancer! For all dancers safety, please do not drop off or pick up dancers under 12 at the front door. Call 235-8888 if you are going to be late for rehearsal or pick-up afterward. Dancers waiting for rehearsals to begin or for rides should remain in the observation hall or in the studio with teachers. Hundreds of basketball families occupy the building on most Saturdays. Be sure to come at least 15 minutes early to allow for parking, changing and using the restroom. WHAT ABOUT AUDITIONS? 1) Dancers auditioning for Verona Youth Ballet s Nutcracker are expected to be currently studying ballet so that they will be familiar with the steps used in this classical ballet s choreography. Some need-based study scholarships for your chosen studio are available by application. 2) Dancers participating in VYB s Nutcracker audition will be viewed by age groups and placed according to the roles/costumes available. Choreographers will show a few steps from the appropriate dance(s) for each age group, and then have dancers show the steps is small groups. A panel of professionally experienced dancers/teachers will rate the dancers on technical, musical and artistic skills. Every effort is made to place ALL dancers auditioning in a role suited to their age and abilities. 3) No prepared work is needed for the audition, but a professional appearance, including wearing hair in a ballet bun, attention to detail, pointed feet, good posture, an interested smile and focused behavior will enhance the experience and the dancer s placement. 4) Download, print, complete and bring the audition registration form with a $90.00 (9/26 audition) or $50 (10/10 audition) participation fee per dancer on audition day. Make checks out to: Verona Youth Ballet or use the Paypal link on veronayouthballet.org to pay with a credit card. 5) See audition times, by age groups, as listed on http://www.veronayouthballet.org/audition.php and PLEASE PLAN TO ARRIVE AT LEAST 15 MINUTES EARLY TO BE dressed, warmed-up and ready for your groups audition. 6) Participants will be notified of casting decisions by email within the week following their audition. WHAT DO WE WEAR? 1) Female dancers should ALWAYS wear a plain colored leotard (black preferred), pink tights, and pink leather ballet slippers (or whatever you wear for your current dance classes). Male dancers wear black pants, white t-shirt and black leather ballet slippers. All dancers should wear street clothing over dance uniform. Bring sweats to keep warm and wear socks for over ballet shoes while waiting. 2) Hair should be in a classical ballet bun with invisible hair net (available in the scünci or Goody section at mega stores, except Target) and a zillion bobby pins. Short hair must be pulled back away from face and cloth headbands must be secured with crossed bobby 3

pins. No ponytails! See instructions for making buns under the Performance Hair & Makeup section below. 3) Underwear is not to be worn under tights during dress rehearsals/ performances. Tights serve as underwear beneath costumes and leotards. Help your child be comfortable with this by practicing this during regular rehearsals as well. WHAT IS THE REHEARSAL SCHEDULE? 1) Rehearsals generally take place at Ballet U s studio in the Verona Athletic Center on Saturdays between 12:30 and 5 pm from the first Saturday in October (ages 9+) or third Saturday in October (ages 4-8) through the week before the performance. There is no rehearsal on Thanksgiving weekend. 2) Arrive 15 minutes ahead of the scheduled time, in order to hang up belongings/clothes in observation hall, use restroom and warm up to begin promptly at the scheduled time. 3) A full ballet walk thru with the entire cast is held at Ballet U two or three Saturdays before the show from approximately 2-6 pm. Younger dancers will be called to join later (around 3:30 or 4). Detailed schedules are available about one month before this rehearsal. 4) A dress rehearsal will be held at Ballet U one Saturday before the show from approximately 2-6 p.m. ALL DANCERS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND! 5) During the performance week, walk thru and dress rehearsals at the theater will be held on Thursday and Friday evening the week of the performance. ALL DANCERS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND! WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT REHEARSALS? 1) Please DO NOT stand outside the studio door or congregate in that area, as this is dangerous, serves as a distraction to dancers/instructors, and blocks the door and information table.. 2) Parents may observe and videotape through the observation hall windows to facilitate home practice of the dance choreography. VYB s Nutcracker Suite is a collection of pieces from several different CD s/orchestras. We will upload your dance music and practice videos to a Dropbox account for you to download for home practice. 3) Dancers should place all of their dance bags/clothing/coats in the observation hallway upon arrival. Bring valuables into the studio. We advise labeling all possessions, especially ballet shoes. 4) Dancers are expected to use the restroom and warm up or sit quietly as directed while awaiting their rehearsal. While every attempt is made to stick to a tight schedule, there may be occasional delays. 5) Dance bags should contain a healthy snack, a book or other quiet activity to occupy them during these times. 6) There are many large sporting events at the VAC each Saturday. Allow extra time for parking in order to arrive to rehearsal on time. 4

WHAT IF I HAVE TO BE ABSENT FOR A REHEARSAL? 1) Dancers are allowed ONE excused/predetermined absence. A second absence may be allowed at the director s discretion. 2) Notify VYB via email to veronayouthballet@gmail.com.as soon you know about predetermined absences. Please include the name of the dancer, date of planned absence and reason for absence. 3) Emergency absences (illnesses, changes of plans, family funerals) must be called in to 235-8888. 4) Failure to report absences may result in dismissal. WHAT ABOUT PERFORMANCE HAIR AND MAKE-UP? 1) All dancers should arrive at rehearsals with their makeup and hair already completed. We do not provide make-up or hair supplies, so please bring your own. Volunteers are available to help with touch-ups. 2) MAKE-UP: Go online to www.jamcosmetics.net and click on Shop by Look. On the page that opens, click on Young Dancer. This will show techniques and products. You do not need to order these exact products. Buy a STAY-ON type lipstick in a deep coral or red. Remember that thousands of watts of lighting will reduce make-up intensity by 80%. 3) HAIR: Pull long hair up into a ponytail at the crown of head (very high), wrap several times with rubber band. Spray ponytail with water, twist ponytail 3 or 4 times and then start circling it around the rubber band. Buy LONG bobby pins and put 4-5 into wrapped bun. Now cover bun with hair net (twisted about 3 times) and put as many bobby pins through hair net into hair of bun and hair on head as necessary to attach bun securely to head. Brush bangs back and secure with bobby pins. Detailed instructions with pictures can be found at http://www.balletu.com/resources/bun%20instructions.pdf. 4) Spray generously with NON SCENTED, NON AEROSOL hair spray and never spray in the dressing rooms, halls, or bathrooms, outdoors or at home is best as hair spray is WAX and if it gets on dance shoes, there will be stage falls! 5) Parental attendance is highly recommended at VYB s hair and makeup demo given at the VAC during an October rehearsal. Dancers requiring a special hairdo will be notified by email. WHAT SHOULD I EAT? 1) Eat a high protein (lean meat, tofu, nuts) and high complex carbohydrate meal two hours before dancing (whole grains, fruits, veggies). 2) Drink at least 16 ounces of water in the 4 hours before dancing. 3) Unless you want to burp (or worse): ABSOLUTELY NO JUNK/FAST FOOD or SODA POP before dancing or in VAC facilities. 4) Dancers should ALWAYS carry a water bottle with their name on it, low sugar whole grain food bars and/or nuts mixed with raisins, low fat yogurt or plain, washed fruits and veggies. 5) NO eating or drinking in COSTUME! 5

WHAT ABOUT COSTUMES? 1) All costumes remain property of the VYB. NEVER TAKE YOUR COSTUME HOME! Costumes will be transported, organized, put on and taken off by VYB staff at ALL TIMES. 2) Dancers must have footed, seamless, tights (color: theatrical or ballet pink), pink leather ballet slippers. These items may be purchased online or at the Ballet U office. 3) Costumes must be shared year to year, are cleaned after each performance and may not always fit perfectly at first. Our staff seamstresses will help as much as possible to make a good fit. 4) ALL DANCERS WILL BE ASKED TO HAVE A TAN COLORED CAMISOLE LEOTARD to wear under their costumes. This facilitates being able to change in a group setting while respecting modesty, and helps keep the costumes cleaner. These will be available for purchase at VAC in the weeks prior to the dress rehearsals. HOW DO I BUY TICKETS? 1) Tickets will go on sale about four weeks before the performance, at the Saturday VAC rehearsals. Tickets will also be sold at Kehl School of Dance on Verona Road and Ballet U, LLC during limited weekday hours. 2) General admission ticket prices: $15 Adult/$8 Children under 12 10% group discount on 20 tickets or more. 3) Because all seats are general admission, early purchase/theater arrival are recommended. Seat saving, except for specific volunteers, is not allowed. WHAT ABOUT THEATER REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCE DAY? 1) Rehearsals are held at the theater on Thursday (Tech) and Friday (Dress Rehearsal) before the show. ALL DANCERS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND DRESS REHEARSAL! 2) Because the locker/dressing rooms are crowded, dancers should dress and do make-up and hair as much as possible at home. 3) Dancers must be at the theater around 2 pm on the day of the show. 4) It is recommended that dancers plan NO OTHER activities for the performance day. 5) Show is at 4 pm. 6) All volunteers will be allowed to move to the audience as soon as all dancers have been lined up in the backstage area. 7) Please: Volunteers only in backstage/dressing room areas! Multiple chaperones will be present. 6

WHAT DO I NEED TO HAVE WITH ME? 1) Weekly rehearsals, bring a dance bag containing: a. Ballet shoes b. Extra pair of tights c. Water bottle d. Book or other quiet activity e. Healthy snack for longer rehearsals f. Hair brush and extra bobby pins g. Personal hygiene products 2) Performances and dress rehearsals, add to your dance bag: HOW CAN I HELP? a. Make-up: Ages 9+ = foundation/powder, lipstick, blush, brown eye shadow, mascara, eyeliner; Ages 4-8 = powder, lipstick, eyeliner b. Hair supplies: brush, rubber bands, bobby pins, extra hair net, hair gel and hair spray c. Activities to do quietly while waiting backstage such as cards, books, ipods or games with ear-buds, etc. NO markers or art supplies which could potentially get on costumes. d. Dancers in each group may wish to bring a blanket or a yoga mat. Thanks for asking!! Volunteers are essential to bringing this performance to life. All families are expected to participate in volunteer support of this production in some way. We will be using the online service VolunteerSpot so please watch your emails for the sign-up link. Fundraisers to support scholarships and keep participation fees and ticket prices low will also be held during this production. Please support us by purchasing: 1) VYB T-shirts 2) DVDs and photo book 3) Playbill advertising 4) Flowers in theatre lobby Cash donations are gratefully accepted too!! Please make checks payable to Verona Youth Ballet. 7

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