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TheNutcracker
Student Matinee Classroom Guide
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TheNutcracker
A classical ballet in two acts, based on E.T.A. Hoffmanns tale of The Nutcracker and
the Mouse King (1816)
Synopsis-ACT I
Herr Stahlbaum and his wife are giving a Christmas party and Clara and Fritz, their
children, greet the guests. All the children are given toys by their parents. Suddenly
the mysterious Dr. Drosselmeyer arrives and entertains the children with his magical
tricks and wind-up dolls. Dr. Drosselmeyer brings a special gift for Clara, a wooden
Nutcracker. In a jealous fit Fritz breaks it but Dr. Drosselmeyer quickly repairs the
nutcracker. The party ends, the guests leave and the Stahlbaums retire for the night.
Clara awakens as a mouse runs through her room. Then the clock strikes midnight
as the room fills with giant mice and attack Clara. Led by her valiant Nutcracker life-
size toy soldiers come to her rescue. The King Rat attacks the Nutcracker but Clara
hits him with her shoe and the Nutcracker wins the battle. Suddenly the Nutcracker
is transformed into a handsome prince. The Nutcracker Prince transforms the
mansion into a Land of Snow. The Snow Queen and the Nutcracker Prince dance
with the Snowflakes as Clara and the Nutcracker Prince depart for the Kingdom of
Sweets in a beautiful, enchanted sleigh.
ACT II
Clara and the Nutcracker Prince continue their journey arriving in the Kingdom of
Sweets. The cooks are preparing delectable treats for their arrival as Clara and The
Prince are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy. In Claras honor the Sugar Plum Fairy
arranges for the residents of her kingdom to entertain them while they eat by
performing a Spanish Dance, an Arabian Dance and a Chinese Dance. Clara is also
entertained by the Dance of Mirlitons, a dance with Madame Bonbonaire and herchildren, a Russian Dance and the Waltz of Flowers. Then the Sugar Plum Fairy and
the Nutcracker Prince dance a grand Pas de Deux. As the celebration draws to a close
Clara drifts off to sleep. She awakens in bed as the Nutcracker Prince salutes his
princess.
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Your First Trip To The BalletMost people who come to the ballet for the first time have a lot of
questions. Here are a few answers.
What should I wear to the
ballet?
You can wear whatever you
would like to the ballet. Some
like to dress up and make their
visit to the theater a special
occasion.
How will I know where to sit?
When you get to the theater,
an usher will show you to your
seats. If you are attending a
student matinee, your school
will have assigned seats. That
seating chart will be available
ahead of time.
May I talk in the theater?
You may talk quietly before the
performance begins. During
the performance, you must be
quiet so everyone can hear the
music. Plus,youll want to pay
attention so you dont miss
anything!
When should I clap?
Aballet audience claps atspecific points in the
performance: when the
conductor comes out, when
thePrincipal (or Lead) Dancers
first appear onstage, and whena group of dancers finishes a
variation (or dance). At the
end of the performance, all the
dancers will come out and take
a bow. When this happens,
you can really let them know
how much you appreciate their
dancing!
How will I know when the
ballet is going to start?
The lights in the theater will
dim, just like at the movies.
This is an exciting moment,
because now its time to
concentrate on the
performance.
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Audience EtiquetteThe following rules of etiquette should be discussed prior to theballet program. Audience manners are very important, and must,
like everything else, be learned and practiced.
Silence Is Golden
You should be attentive and silent during the performance. The hum ofvoices can be distracting to performers and other audience members alike.
Please Remain Seated At All TimesYou should stay in your seat and refrain from standing or kneeling in yourseat during the performance.
Follow Directions
You should enter and exit the theater in an orderly manner. By payingattention to ushers and following directions, you will easily locate your seat.
Listen And Watch Attentively
The performance will be most beneficial to you if you have been prepared andare involved mentally and emotionally. Your physical activity should be kept
low key and quiet.
Respond Appropriately
When the dancers have completed their performance and are taking theirbows, it is appropriate to clap until they have left the stage or the curtain
closes. If you really like the performance, feel free to clap as loudly as you like.
The applause shows your respect for the hard work of the artists. Above all,
treat the dancers in a respectful, courteous manner.
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During The ShowPay Attention To:
The dancers lines: the dancers arms and legs form graceful
parallel and perpendicular lines.
The dancers feet: the dancers perform crisp, clean footwork,
and the dancers toes are always pointed when they leave the
ground.
Pantomime: most ballets feature a series of pantomimes that
help the audience understand the story.
Height and Lightness: the men are able to leap into the airand make many rotations in mid-air. The women are
able to perform the quick and detailed
movements with their feet while their
upper body remains fluid and light.
Lights, Costumes and Sets: observe
whether the lighting is bright and
energetic or dark and
mysterious, and pay attention to
the costumes and sets for clues
about the performance.
Music: the music during the show
changes moodsand tempos, and
helps the audience understand
the story.
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Ballet HistoryDancing, like music, is one of mankinds oldest art forms. From tribalceremonies and village gatherings to ballrooms and disco, dancing has always
been a form of entertainment and celebration.
Ballet uses music and movement to tell a story instead of words. A ballet
dancers technique and special skills differ greatly from those of other dancers.
Ballet dancers perform many movements that are unnatural for the body, but
when these movements are done correctly, they look natural and beautiful.
Early Ballets In Italy
Ballets beginnings can be traced back in time 600 years. The first ballets were
performed in Italy at the time of the Renaissance in the 1400s. The Italian
dukes competed with one another in giving fancy, expensive parties and
gatherings that included dance performances done by the other nobles.
Catherine de Medici, a daughter of one of the Italian dukes, married the King
of France and brought ballet to France with her. The
first real ballet is thought to be one she produced in
1581 called Ballet Comique de la Reine. It lasted for fiveand a half hours!
King Louis and the Royal Academy of Dance
King Louis XIV (pictured left) loved ballet and was a
great dancer himself. Eighty years after de Medici
brought ballet to France, King Louise established the
first dance academy. With serious training, the French
professionals developed skills that had been impossiblefor amateurs. As a result of the school, French became
the language of ballet and is still used today to describe
the steps and the movements of ballet.
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The Romantic Period
During the 1800s, the Romantic Period influenced the entire European
society with stories of escape from the real world into fantasy and exotic
adventure. This led rise to the Romantic ballets, and stories filled with fairies,ghosts and the supernatural. During this time, ballerinas began dancing en
pointe (on tiptoe) so they could appear light
and fairy-like. In the late 1800s, the great
French choreographer Marius Petipa
traveled to Russia and choreographed one
of the most beloved ballets, Swan Lake
(pictured right).
Ballets Russes
In the 1900s, Russian companies such as
Serge Diaghilevs Ballets Russes toured
Western Europe and the U.S. and
increased public interest in ballet. Famous
choreographers like Mikhail Fokine and
George Balanchine created many dances in
this period. After the 1917 Russian
Revolution, some of Russias finest dancers came to stay in the West andopened excellent ballet schools. Dancers from many western countries studied
under these great Russian teachers. Many of these students later set up ballet
companies in their own lands and established schools to train a new
generation of dancers. Almost all contemporary ballet companies and dancers
have been influenced by The Ballets Russes.
Ballet Now
Today most countries have at least one ballet company, and different styles of
ballet have developed from all over the world. For example, the style that
developed in the United States tends to be athletic, energetic and fast. Ballet
in Russia is often forceful and showy; ballet in Denmark is full of very
complicated footwork; ballet in France is generally fluid and decorative. As a
result of the various styles, ballet is continually being broadened and enriched.
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BalletTerminologyArabesque (ar-uh-BESK): one of the basic poses in ballet. The dancer stands onone foot with the other leg extended straight behind the body with the foot
pointed, to create a long, flowing line from fingertips to toes.
Barre (bahr): a wooden rail dancers use as a support during their warm-up exercises.
Bourree (boo-RAY): small, quick, even steps, usually done on pointe, that give
the impression of gliding across the floor.
Choreographer: the person who has the idea for the ballet and then arranges
the steps and patterns so that they make a whole work of art.
Corps de Ballet (kor duh ba-LAY): dancers who appear in a large group
or ensemble.
En Pointe: to dance on the very tip of the specially constructed pointe shoe
Jete (zhuh-TAY): a leap from one foot to the other. A grande jete is a bounding leap
forward with the legs outstretched into a split.
Pas de Deux(pah duh duh): a dance for two
Pirouette (peer-oh-ET): a twirl or spin on one leg starting from two
feet. Pli (plee-AY): a bending of the knees; the basis of all ballet steps.
Principals: dancers in the leading roles of a ballet
Spotting: a technique of keeping eyes on a fixed point when turning to avoid
dizziness
Tutu (TOO-too): costume worn by the ballerina made up of layers of gathered
netting or other fabric
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A Dancers TrainingBallet TrainingA ballet dancer can perform the difficult steps of ballet only after manyyears of training. The best age to begin ballet is about nine years old.
Most dancers become professionals around nineteen or twenty,
and retire by forty-five.
Even professional ballet dancers practice daily to remain
skilled and to stay in top physical shape. In addition to
daily dance classes, they may also visit a gym two or
three times a week. The men usually spend some timelifting weights to make sure they have sufficient strength
to lift their partners.
It is not unusual for young athletes to take dance.
Many football coaches have their teams take ballet
classes because ballet steps are physically challenging
and also develop strength, flexibility and quickness.
Other sports that are helped by ballet training are
gymnastics, swimming, ice skating, and track.
Ballet Technique
Because classical ballet technique originally developed in France, Frenchwords are used in all parts of the world for the various steps and positions of
ballet. The early French court dance steps have been handed down through
centuries and form the basis of classical ballet today.
Ballet dancers seem to ignore the law of gravity as they float through the air in
long, slow leaps. They keep perfect balance while they spin like tops without
becoming dizzy. The women dance on the tips of their toes, and the men liftthem high overhead as if they were as light as feathers. The lines of the dancers
bodies form beautiful, harmonious designs.
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Fun Facts
A male dancer can lift over
a ton of dancers in one
performance!
Most ballerinas use 2
to 3 pairs of pointeshoes for one
performance.
One tutu can take
over $2,000 and
100 yards of fabricto make.
The word ballet comes
from the Italian word
balleto, which means to
dance.
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Did You KnowThere Are A Lot Of Jobs Surrounding Dance!
The artistic director decides what shows to put on and casts theroles.
The ballet master or mistress runs rehearsals and supervises the
corps de ballet.
The dance teacher runs daily classes and gives individual coaching.The physiotherapist treats dancers injuries.
The choreographer creates the dance part of a ballet and helps
decide on costumes and scenery.
Thewardrobe master or mistress looks after and takes care of the
costumes.
The technical director or stage manager coordinates the lighting
staff, music, dancers, and stage crew.
The stage crewis responsible for the electrics, such as wiring and
special effects, as well as the props.
The marketing officers create posters, leaflets, and programs
advertising the ballets.
The general manager arranges tours, salaries, and general business
matters.
Dancers Have A Different View From The Stage
A ballet looks completely different to the dancers on the stage than it
does to the audience. A dancer can see into the wings (the spaces at the
sides of the stage where the audience cant see). Also, a dancer has manybright lights shining on him or her, making it so that the dancer cant see
the audience, and also making it very hot onstage.
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All About The Nutcracker! The Nutcrackeris based on the storyThe
Nutcracker and the Mouse Kingwritten by E.T.A.
Hoffman. Maybe your library has a copy of the
book!
Texas Ballet TheatersThe Nutcrackerwill beperformed in two different theaters: Bass
Performance Hall and the AT&T
Performing Arts Winspear Opera House.
It takes a crew of30 stagehands and 10wardrobe/dressers to put on each performance.They work just as hard as the dancers!
Our Christmas tree grows to 40 feet. Thats overthree stories tall!
More than 90 local children will appear in therun ofThe Nutcracker.
Over 200 costumes are usedin Texas Ballet Theaters
The Nutcracker. Thats10 miles of thread! 17 loads of laundry are done after every show! Over 300 pounds of snow are used during the
run, made from a combination of plastic and
flame retardant inch paper squares.
The Nutcrackeruses 398,300watts of electricityduring each performance.
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Dance In The Classroom
Here are some fun movement exercises and activities to try in yourown classroom after the ballet!
Form two or more teams for a game of charades. Act out who
or what you are through movement, and see if your classmates
can guess!
Draw a line in chalk on the ground, or use a piece of masking
tape to make a line. Walk along the line without stepping off
ofit. Try walking slowly, and then try a little faster. Which wayis easier?
With a partner, stand face to face and mirror each others
movements for sixty seconds.
How many times can you spin around without getting dizzy
and falling down? Heres a hint Dancers keep their balance
by focusing on one point in front of them as they turn. This is
called spotting. Does spotting help you spin without getting
dizzy?Have everyone in the class write down a feeling or emotion on
a piece of paper, and then fold the paper and place it in a box.
Each student will select a piece of paper and act out with
movement what the feeling is. The other students try to guess
what the student is expressing through his/her movements.
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What Did You Think?What didyou think of the ballet? Here are a few ways to really share
how you felt during and after theperformance.
Be a critic.After you see the ballet, write a review of what
you saw. Describe the performance so that those not in
attendance can imagine the performance. Discuss the
parts you liked best. Tell the reader why they
should or should not go to the ballet.
Be an artist. Draw a picture of your
favorite scene from the ballet. Think
about costumes, scenery and the dancers
expressions.
Be a choreographer. Imagine your ownballet. Write down the details. List what
music should go with it. Draw pictures of
the scenery and sketch the costumes.
Youre in charge!
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Do The Math!Dance studios and theaters are the workplace for the dancers, teachers,students, ballet masters, choreographers, and artistic directors. Before
the curtain rises for a performance, hundreds of preparations must take
place. The costumes have to be designed, constructed, altered and
laundered. Sets must be designed, built and painted. Programs must be
written and printed. Pointe shoes have to be ordered, sometimes nine
months in advance (because they are handmade in England, Germany,
Australia, Japan or New York City), and then distributed to the female
dancers. As many as 1,500 pairs per year are ordered for the company.
We need your help with some of our preparations!
Texas Ballet Theater has ordered 1,500 pairs of pointe shoes for the
season. The season, or work weeks of a professional dancer, lasts 30
weeks. The pointe shoes must be ordered up to nine months in advance.
One pair of pointe shoes costs $60.00, and each female dancer receives 2
pairs of pointe shoes a week. If there are 20 professional female dancers,
how much money has to be budgeted for pointe shoes in one season?
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Find The Ballet TermsFind the following ballet terms in the word search.
ARABESQUE BARRE BOURREE
CHOREOGRAPHER CORPS DE BALLET EN POINTE
JETE PAS DE DEUX PIROUETTE
PLIE PRINCIPALS SPOTTING
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