2021 NUTCRACKER HANDBOOK

2021 NUTCRACKER HANDBOOK

for Pacific Northwest Ballet School Students and parents

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®

Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Choreography: George Balanchine

Design: Ian Falconer

We are pleased to have your child participate in Pacific Northwest Ballet’s 2021 season of George Balanchine’s

The Nutcracker®. Without the participation of our Students and the support of their families, The Nutcracker

would not be possible. Thank you for your dedication and commitment.

By your child accepting a part in The Nutcracker and turning in a participation agreement, you and your

child agree to the policies outlined in this handbook. Please read this entire booklet thoroughly with your

child.

FORMS:

On the Student Cast Website (see page 13) you will find all necessary forms and deadlines. All forms should be

returned to the Phelps Center reception desk, Seattle School Office, or emailed to [email protected].

Questions about The Nutcracker should be addressed to Lauren Kirchner, Student Cast and Parent Volunteer

Coordinator, [email protected] or office 206.441.2427.

We look forward to working with you this year.

Pacific Northwest Ballet Artistic Staff

mailto:[email protected]


1

HANDBOOK CONTENTS:

Important Dates ..................................................... 2

Nutcracker Policies ........................................... 3-4

COVID-19 Policies ............................................... 4

McCaw Hall Policies ........................................ 5-6

Parent Volunteers .................................................. 7

Shoe Information .................................................. 8

McCaw Hall Checklist .......................................... 9

Makeup Supplies ................................................. 10

Roles ................................................................... 11

November/December Onstage Calendar ............ 12

Onstage and Dress Rehearsal Schedule .............. 12

Performance Arrival & Pick-up Times ............... 13

Contact Information ............................................ 14

2

IMPORTANT DATES

September 20 through November 24 Rehearsal Period

Students must be available Monday through Friday 4:00-8:00 PM and Saturday 12:00-6:00 PM.

Rehearsals will be scheduled between 3:00-700 PM from Monday, November 15 through Friday,

November 19. Although your child will not be called to all rehearsals, they must be available for all

rehearsals and performances.

Most roles will begin rehearsal on or after Monday, September 27.

Rehearsal Schedules will be posted and emailed to families each Friday after 5:00 PM in Seattle and

Bellevue and online for the following week (beginning Friday, September 24). NO REHEARSALS—10/31, HALLOWEEN; 11/11, VETERAN’S DAY; 11/25 THANKSGIVING

DAY

Monday, September 27, 7:00-8:00 PM Nutcracker Parents Meeting

Parents are requested to attend this online informational meeting with Student Cast and Parent Volunteer

Coordinator Lauren Kirchner. A Zoom link will be sent prior to the meeting. This meeting will be

recorded for those unable to attend live.

Wednesday, September 29 Participation Agreements due

Families can email forms to [email protected] or turn them into the Phelps Center reception desk.

Wednesday, October 27 Sewn & Labeled Shoes due

See page 8 – Shoes can be turned into the Phelps Center reception desk.

Additional Meetings – Dates/Times TBD (will take place in October or November via Zoom)

Girls’ Curls Class

Parent Volunteer Training

Makeup Training

Sunday, November 21—Wed. November 24 Onstage Technical and Dress Rehearsals

Technical and Dress Rehearsals will take place onstage at McCaw Hall from Sunday through

Wednesday, November 21-24.

No rehearsals will be held on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 25.

Students must be available for technical/dress rehearsals at McCaw Hall on November 21-24

Friday, November 26, 2:00 PM Opening Performance of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®

Performances run November 26 through December 28 at McCaw Hall. There will be a matinee

performance on Christmas Eve (12/24). No performances will be scheduled on Christmas Day (12/25).

See PNB.org for the complete performance schedule.


3

NUTCRACKER POLICIES

PARTICIPATION and AVAILABILITY

Your child will attend every rehearsal and appear in every performance for which they are scheduled.

Your child will be available to perform, in the event of illness or injury to another cast member, even if

not scheduled to perform.

Your child will be available for all rehearsals, including those during Thanksgiving week.

In the event of a schedule conflict, you understand that The Nutcracker performances take precedence

over family vacations, school, or social activities.

Illness or family emergencies are the only acceptable excuses for absence and must be explained in

writing.

“Swapping” performances with an opposite cast member is not permitted.

REHEARSALS and SCHEDULES

All Nutcracker rehearsals are held at Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Phelps Center in Seattle, and will be

scheduled from Monday through Friday between 4:00 and 8:00 PM and Saturday between 12:00 and 6:00

PM. Rehearsals will be conducted by PNB Artistic Staff.

o Rehearsals will be scheduled between 3:00 and 7:00 PM the week of November 15.

Students must arrive on time, dressed in PNB School ballet class attire, and ready to dance at every

rehearsal for which they are scheduled, including onstage rehearsals.

Students are expected to attend all or part of regular PNB School classes whenever possible (even if only

for 15 minutes or a half hour). Students are allowed to leave early from class or arrive late to class and

participate fully if they are missing part of class due to Nutcracker rehearsals.

The rehearsal schedule will be posted each Friday for the following week on the Student Cast boards in

Seattle and Bellevue and posted on the Student Cast Website (see page 14). Schedules will be emailed to

families beginning Friday, September 24. Students are responsible for checking the schedule frequently.

Plan ahead to determine how, where, and when your child will be dropped off and picked up for rehearsals

and performances.

BEHAVIOR

Students are expected to behave in a responsible, disciplined, and professional manner and to adhere to the

School’s rules and regulations as outlined in the PNB School Handbook during all rehearsals and

performances, and while observing rehearsals.

ILLNESS/INJURY

If your child is ill or injured and cannot perform, please let us know as soon as possible. Please phone

Lauren Kirchner (206.441.2427) or the PNB artistic office (206.441.2445). On performance days, call Ms.

Kirchner on her cell phone (425.761.2875) or a rehearsal director or the McCaw Hall Nutcracker Room

phone (206.774.4949), in that order. Please keep calling until you reach someone. (See contact

information on page 13).

Please do not bring a sick child to rehearsals or performances.

If the daily health screening indicates that your student is not cleared to attend rehearsal or a performance,

please reach out to Lauren Kirchner on her cell phone (425.761.2875) immediately.

SNOW

Nutcracker performances are not cancelled. Please plan ahead for extreme wintry weather.

PHOTOGRAPHY/PRESS/MEDIA

Photography and/or videotaping of any kind (including on cell phone cameras) are not allowed unless

authorized by Gary Tucker, PNB’s PR Manager.

4

TV crews or newspaper photographers doing a story will always be accompanied by Mr. Tucker. If you

see anyone taking pictures or filming and you question their permission to do so, please contact Lauren

Kirchner as soon as possible.

All publicity concerning PNB and PNB productions such as The Nutcracker is managed and overseen by

Mr. Tucker. This includes (but is not limited to) interviews for newspapers, magazines, TV, radio, and/or

social media sites. If you have a suggestion or know somebody at your local/community paper, please

contact Mr. Tucker at 206.441.2426 or [email protected].

COVID-19 POLICIES

All COVID-19 safety guidelines are subject to change and will be communicated with families as updates are made

PNB SCHOOL COVID-19 GUIDELINES

Students will follow all PNB School COVID-19 Guidelines during Nutcracker rehearsals and

performances, including completion of the daily health screening for each rehearsal and performance day.

In addition to the PNB School COVID-19 Guidelines, the following guidelines will be put in place for

Nutcracker students.

TESTING

Students under the age of 12 who are not yet vaccinated must submit weekly COVID-19 test results to

[email protected].

PNB reserves the right to increase the frequency of testing and/or require that vaccinated students also test

regularly.

During onstage rehearsals and performances, students can expect to be tested regularly onsite.

MASKS

Students will wear masks during all rehearsals, including rehearsals and the Phelps Center and onstage

rehearsals at McCaw Hall.

PNB will provide masks for students to wear onstage during performances. Performance masks will stay

with costumes at the theater – students should arrive to the theater with a personal mask to wear while in

the dressing room.

o Note: At this point in time, Company Dancer and Professional Division students who are fully

vaccinated may be unmasked during performances. During performance weeks, dancers who

unmask are tested every 2-3 days such that they have negative test results within 48 hours of

unmasking.

PHYSICAL DISTANCING

As possible, students should remain a minimum of 6 feet away from other students. PNB recognizes that

the choreography does not always allow for this. Artistic Staff is making some adjustments to the

choreography to increase space, or eliminate touching, but this is not always possible. For roles that

distancing is not possible, PNB may increase frequency of testing for students.

In order to minimize the need for close face to face contact between students and Parent Volunteers,

makeup will be done by parents at home this season. See page 5 for more information.

VACCINATION POLICY

Following PNB School policies, all students 12 and older must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19

Any student who turns 12 during the rehearsal and performance season of The Nutcracker must initiate the

process to become fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Parent Volunteers working at McCaw Hall during onstage rehearsals and performances must be fully

vaccinated against COVID-19 – NO exceptions.



5

McCAW HALL POLICIES

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS

Students agree to follow the directions of those conducting rehearsals, the Student Cast and Parent

Volunteer Coordinator, and the Parent Volunteers supervising dressing room areas.

Students must always take a buddy when leaving the Rehearsal Hall.

All Students must inform an adult when leaving and returning to the Rehearsal Hall or third floor dressing

room hallway.

No gum is allowed at McCaw Hall.

Entertainment devices should be quiet.

No phones or cameras are allowed in backstage areas other than the Rehearsal Hall.

ARRIVAL/PICK-UP

Arrive on time for all call times as listed on pages 13.

Students must sign in upon arrival.

To obtain entry to McCaw Hall through the stage door, please show your 2021 Nutcracker pass.

Backstage Passes will be issued to all Students prior to rehearsals in McCaw Hall.

Students must be picked up according to the times listed on page 13. The adult picking the Student up

must come to the Stage Door. Students will not be released without an adult present.

During performances, a security guard is on duty at McCaw Hall until 30 minutes after the final evening

curtain, at which time the theater is locked.

Parents and others must wait for Students at the stage door. Only Parent Volunteers are allowed in

dressing rooms. Other parents, as well as other family members and friends, are not allowed in dressing

rooms or backstage.

Students and Parent Volunteers must leave the theater between rehearsals and/or performances. Students

and Parent Volunteers cannot remain backstage or at the stage door.

ONSTAGE/DRESS RHEARSALS

Students must be in PNB School attire for all rehearsals, even if not performing.

No electronic devices (including cell phones) may be used during onstage or dress rehearsals.

Students are expected to pay close attention to the rehearsal onstage and are responsible for all notes

given.

Onstage and dress rehearsals are closed rehearsals and not open to the public. Family members (other than

Parent Volunteers) and friends may not attend these rehearsals.

MAKEUP

Families will be responsible for purchasing all necessary makeup and supplies.

PNB will provide a list of approved makeup supplies to purchase – see page 10

Parents will be required to apply makeup to their own student at home, prior to arriving at McCaw Hall

for a dress rehearsal or performance. Instructions, including a video tutorial and reference photos will be

available.

o Since students will be wearing masks during performances, makeup will only be applied to the

upper half of the face (foundation, eyeshadow, and eyeliner).

All roles, including boys, wear makeup. The only students that will not wear makeup are those cast as a

Mouse only.

Students must bring makeup wipes and remove makeup prior to leaving McCaw Hall.

6

McCAW HALL POLICIES (continued)

HAIR

Students should arrive with hair performance ready and with all required hair supplies (see checklist on

page 9).

Only Parent Volunteers will do Students’ hair in the Rehearsal Hall, including removal of curlers and

using hair spray.

Boys’ hair should be neatly trimmed and should not be cut extremely short.

COSTUMES

If not specified by Wardrobe, only PNBS leotards are allowed for rehearsals and performances (see

McCaw Hall checklist on page 9).

Costumes are not allowed in the bathroom.

Students are responsible for their own costumes and all costume pieces. This means Students will get

their costumes from the Dressers, be careful with them, and return them as instructed by the Dressers.

Students will use the bathroom prior to getting their costumes.

No costumes on floors.

Students may not sit on the floor in costumes at any time, unless onstage as required by the

choreography.

Personal jewelry (earrings, rings, watches) and fingernail polish cannot be worn on stage and should be

removed prior to arrival.

If your student wears glasses, they will be asked to remove glasses for performances. Please reach out to

Student Cast & Parent Volunteer Coordinator to plan accordingly or if you have concerns.

SHOE LETTERS

Students are invited to write optional “Shoe Letters” to Company dancers and Professional Division

students beginning the second weekend of performances. The Shoe Letter box will be located in the

Rehearsal Hall and letters can be sent up to December 21. Please be mindful of the number of letters

written – not all dancers are able to reply to all letters.

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PARENT VOLUNTEERS

We hope you will consider volunteering for The Nutcracker. If you are interested in volunteering, please turn in

the Volunteer Application, along with any other required forms (see application for details) by Friday, October

29. Late forms cannot be considered. Forms will be available after AB performance casting has been posted.

Background Checks

As part of PNB’s commitment to a safe work, learning, and performance environment, all Parent Volunteers

are required to complete a background check in order to be eligible for a volunteer position. Please email

[email protected] by Friday, October 29 to request a secure online link to complete the background check. If

you completed a background check with PNB between September 2013 and now, you do NOT need to

complete a new one this season.

Parent Volunteer Training, TBD

All Parent Volunteers are responsible for the supervision and performance preparation of all Students. A

mandatory volunteer training meeting for all Parent Volunteers will be held via Zoom at a time to be

determined (early November before onstage rehearsals begin). A recording of the meeting will be available.

Parent Volunteer Duties:

Onstage Rehearsals and Dress Rehearsals (Non-Performing Cast)

Parent Volunteers of the non-performing cast usher Students into the auditorium seating area and maintain

order and quiet, and escort Students to and from the bathrooms.

Dress Rehearsals (Performing Cast)

Dress rehearsals are treated as actual performances.

Performances

Volunteer duties during performances consist of working in the dressing rooms, to supervise students, assist

with hair and costumes, and maintain order. All Parent Volunteers must participate in all of these duties.

More detailed information about Parent Volunteer duties will be provided during training and are available in

the Parent Volunteer Handbook.


8

SHOE INFORMATION

Each student participating in The Nutcracker is required to provide a pair of ballet slippers for each role they

are dancing. Shoes must be turned in to the Phelps Center reception desk by Wednesday, October 27. Please note whether the shoes required for your student need to be leather or canvas.

All shoes must be NEW. All shoes (both left & right shoe) must be clearly labeled in permanent ink with

the student’s first and last name, cast, and role. For example: “Jane Doe, Angel, Cast A.” A permanent

marker will be available for use at the front desk. Elastics must be sewn crisscross, securely with strong

thread and must be sewn before shoes are turned in. A sample of a correctly sewn and labeled shoe is

shown in the photo below.

ROLE SHOE

COLOR

CANVAS/

LEATHER

ELASTIC

COLOR

Angels Black Leather Black

Bunny White Leather White

Candy Canes Black Leather White

Clara (Act I)

(Act II)

Black

White

Leather

Leather

White

None

Fritz Black Leather White

Mice* White Canvas White

Nephew (Act I)

Nutcracker (Act I Battle)

Black

White

Leather

Leather

White

White

Party Boys Black Leather White

Party Girls Black Leather White

Polichinelle Boys Black Leather White

Polichinelle Girls Black Leather White

Sentry Black Leather Black

Soldiers Black Leather Black

Tall Soldiers Black Leather Black

Trumpeter Black Leather Black

*Please Note: Mice shoes will be dyed. Please allow for your child’s

growth when purchasing shoes. All shoes to be dyed MUST be canvas.

Students cast as Party Girls/Polichinelles or Soldiers/Angels can turn in one pair of shoes to use in both roles.

Students cast a Mice/Candy Canes will need to turn in two separate pairs of shoes.

Local Dancewear Stores:

Centerstage Dance Shop 206.527.4697

5261 University Way NE 1.800.732.6235

Seattle, WA 98105

On Pointe Dancewear 425.643.2386

12001 NE 12th Street, Suite 85 [email protected]

Bellevue, WA 98008

Dancewear Center of Kirkland 425.827.6343

8425 122nd Ave. NE

Kirkland, WA 98033


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McCAW HALL CHECKLIST

STUDENTS NEED TO BRING:

Makeup remover wipes

Deodorant (even for the youngest children; costumes are shared)

Clean leotard and tights, plus an extra emergency pair

Backstage pass

Homework, books, cards, quiet games

Snack and drinks (no glass containers)

Hair supplies (hair brush, rat tail comb, hair pins, hairnets, gel & spray)

FOOD: Students should pack a snack/lunch when rehearsals or performances conflict with regular meals. Food is

not available in the theater. During rehearsals and performances, Students are not allowed to leave the

theater.

*Please avoid sending your student to the theater with food, such as candies or candy canes that might dye

their tongue/mouth/lips a different color.

REMEMBER: No eating or drinking is allowed when in costume.

ATTIRE:

Students should wear the following clothing under their costumes for Dress Rehearsals and Performances:

Nephew/Nutcracker/Prince, Fritz, Party Boys, Mice, Battle Scene Students, Angels: PNB School

leotard (no tights, leggings, or socks). Please arrive in PNB School leotard with sweats or other pants on

bottom, Students will wear PNB supplied tights over their leotards.

Clara, Party Girls, Candy Canes, Polichinelle Girls, Polichinelle Boys: PNB will provide leotards and

tights for Students to wear under their costumes. Please arrive in PNB School leotard with sweats or other

pants on bottom, ready to change.

As a reminder, Students are not allowed to change into costumes in bathrooms – Students should arrive at

the theater wearing their leotard and tights (if required). Changing rooms will be provided for all Students.

Students are expected to have their PNB leotard and a clean pair of tights with them at all times.

HAIR:

Hair should be performance ready upon arrival:

Clara, Party Girls, Polichinelle Girls: Hair in curlers as required – curlers will be removed at McCaw

Hall (online training classes will be provided with more information)

Sentry, Trumpeter, Soldiers, Tall Soldiers: Top knot bun

Angels/Soldiers: High bun (in between crown of head and top knot)

Candy Canes: High bun on crown of head (not top knot)

Polichinelle Boys: Low to middle of the back of head bun

Mice, Bunny: Braids, hair flat against the head

Boys: Hair should be neatly combed

10

MAKEUP SUPPLIES

Families will be responsible for purchasing all necessary makeup and supplies. Parents will be required to apply

makeup to their own student at home, prior to arriving at McCaw Hall.

FOUNDATION

Use a crème foundation that matches your skin tone. Please avoid anything that says “shine” and stick to a

natural or matte foundation.

EYESHADOW

PNB uses the same product for both eyeshadow and blush, Ben Nye Blush in Pink Blush (DR-12). Similar

products:

Loreal true-match blush – C7-8 Spiced Plum or C5-6 Rosy Outlook

Revlon blush – 014 Tickled Pink

Maybelline Fit Me blush – 55 Berry

Elf – light blush palette (one of the colors in the palette works well)

EYELINER

PNB uses cake eyeliner (activated by water with a brush), Ben Nye in Black (EL-1). We recommend students

purchase any black liquid eyeliner with a brush or brush-like applicator.

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ROLES

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® features 70 roles for Students per performance. These roles are divided

into the Party Scene, Battle Scene, Snow Scene, and Act II as follows:

Party Scene:

Clara*

Nephew**

Fritz

Party Girls

Party Boys

Battle Scene:

Clara*

Nutcracker**

Mice

Sentry

Trumpeter

Bunny

Tall Soldiers

Soldiers

Bed Person

Snow Scene:

Clara*

Nutcracker/Prince**

Act II:

Clara*

Prince**

Angels

Candy Canes

Polichinelle Girls

Polichinelle Boys

Please note:

*Clara appears in the Party Scene, Battle Scene, Snow Scene and Act II.

**Nephew/Nutcracker/Prince appears in the Party Scene, Battle Scene, Snow Scene, and Act II.

12

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER ONSTAGE CALENDAR AT McCAW HALL

ONSTAGE AND DRESS REHEARSAL

SCHEDULE AT McCAW HALL

Onstage technical and Dress Rehearsals will take place at McCaw Hall from Sunday, November 21 through

Wednesday, 24.

No rehearsals will be held on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 25.

The Onstage and Dress Rehearsal Schedule will be posted with AB performance casting (mid-October).

Please be aware that your child may miss some school for these rehearsals.

Sun. Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat.

Nov. 21 Onstage Rehearsal

22 Onstage Rehearsal



25

26

2:00 PM

7:30 PM

27

2:00 PM

7:30 PM

Nov. 28

12:30 PM

5:30 PM

29 30 Dec. 1 2

3

7:30 PM

4

2:00 PM

7:30 PM

Dec. 5

12:30 PM

5:30 PM

6 7

8

9

7:30 PM

10

7:30 PM

11

2:00 PM

7:30 PM

12

12:30 PM

5:30 PM

13

14

15

7:30 PM

16

7:30 PM

17

7:30 PM

18

2:00 PM

7:30 PM

19

12:30 PM

5:30 PM

20

21

2:00 PM

7:30 PM

22

2:00 PM

7:30 PM

23

2:00 PM

7:30 PM

24

12:30 PM

25

26

12:30 PM

5:30 PM

27

12:30 PM

5:30 PM

28

12:30 PM

5:30 PM

13

PERFORMANCE

ARRIVAL TIMES & PICK-UP TIMES

Arrival Times

Party Scene arrive 1½ hours prior to performance:

11:00 AM for 12:30 PM Matinee

12:30 PM for 2:00 PM Matinee

4:00 PM for 5:30 PM Evening


Battle Scene arrive one hour prior to performance:

11:30 Noon for 12:30 PM Matinee




All Act II Only Students arrive ½ hour prior to performance:





Pick-Up Times

All Act I Students (Party Scene & Battle Scene not also in and Act II role) MUST be picked up by:





**This pick up time in during intermission – if families are watching the performance and the performing

student is only in Act I, they must be picked up during intermission and you will need to purchase a ticket

for them or make other plans. They cannot remain backstage or in the lobby.

All Act II Students MUST be picked up by:





14

CONTACT INFORMATION

Nutcracker Student Cast Website

Website address: www.pnb.org/studentrehearsals

Password: maskednut21 (case sensitive, all lowercase and one word)

Please use this site to find:

Nutcracker rehearsal schedules

Copies of all necessary forms

Casting information

Performance schedules (available mid-October)

Updated Friday afternoons.

Lauren Kirchner office 206.441.2427

Student Cast and cell 425.761.2875

Parent Volunteer Coordinator email [email protected]

Sarah Kolat office 206.441.2445

Executive Assistant to Peter Boal email [email protected]

PNB reception desk 206.441.9411

PNB Seattle School office 206.441.2435

Stage Manager’s Phone 206.774.4958

Use this number on performance days only.

Otto Neubert office 206.441.2446

Rehearsal Director cell* 206.619.5203

Anne Dabrowski office 206.441.2447


Giovanni Villalobos office 206.441.3584


McCaw Hall Rehearsal Hall 206.774.4949

Use this number on performance days only.

Gary Tucker office 206.441.2426

PR Manager email [email protected]

*Emergency only

http://www.pnb.org/studentrehearsals




2021 NUTCRACKER HANDBOOK

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