Performances

• Chinese
• Ivy
• Rats

• Snow
• All Flowers + Fairies
• Spanish
• Flute
• Dolls/Night Fairy 
• Roses
• Chinese 

Nutcracker Commitment Information

Thank you for your interest in New England Academy of Dance’s annual Nutcracker!

Being a part of this holiday tradition is an experience that your child will remember for a lifetime. In addition to furthering their ballet technique and artistry, they will build lasting friendships with other dancers while performing in a professional production accompanied by The Norwalk Symphony Orchestra.

NEAD takes the Nutcracker ballet from studio to stage in a professional manner. It is important for all dancers and their parents to understand the level of commitment that is required. We created this page to cover everything you need to know about performing in our Nutcracker production.

Who is eligible to be in Nutcracker?

Our Nutcracker is open to NEAD registered students in Ballet 1 and up. Dancers need only fulfill the necessary class requirements.

Does my child need to audition?

All interested dancers must audition. Auditions this year are scheduled on Saturday September 7th and Sunday September 8^th, 2024. We will hold orientation meetings for parents on Friday September 6th and Saturday September 7th.  Even if your dancer has previously participated in the Nutcracker, it is expected that a parents attend this orientation session.

Which roles is my dancers eligible for?

Nutcracker roles are usually divided by class levels

• Ballet 1- Angels
• Ballet 2 – Mice in the battle scene
• Ballet 3 – Pixies (Waltz of the Flowers) and Bon Bons ( Sugar Plum and Cavalier)
• Ballet 4 – Ginger Cookies, Waltz of the Flowers
• Baller 4b – Party Scene
• Ballet 5a- Clara, Fritz, Waltz of the Flowers, Soldiers, Candy Canes
• Ballet 5b – Waltz of the Flowers, Soldiers, Candy Canes, Lead Angels
• Ballet 6a – Corps de ballet, Waltz of the Flowers
• Ballet 6b – Corps de ballet and demi-soloist roles
• Ballet int/adv – Corps de ballet, soloist roles and lead roles.

What does it cost?  

The participation fee for Nutcracker is $200 for Ballet 1 and $250 for Ballet 2 – 5b.

Enrichment and Company member fees are $500 per semester. Nutcracker performance fees are non-refundable.

What is the time commitment?

Performances this year are December 13th, 14^th and 15^th, 2024. Friday December 13th @ 7:00pm Saturday December 14th @11am and 4:00pm and Sunday December 15th @1:00pm (Children’s Show) and 4:00pm

Tech week will begin Monday December 9th culminating in dress rehearsal with the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra on Thursday, December 12^th.  Dancers should expect to have rehearsal each night during Tech Week.  The Tech Week schedule is typically posted in mid-November.

All performances, dress rehearsals and tech rehearsals are mandatory. Our rehearsal schedule is posted on our website at least a week or two weeks in advance and changes gradually as groups learn their choreography and professional dancers join the cast.  This was the 2023 schedule based on ballet levels. Please use it as a rough guide for 2024. The 2024 schedule is pending.

• Angels (Ballet 1) –Dancers rehearse a total of 10 rehearsals starting October 19th They rehearse both Saturdays and Sundays with dancers in the Snow and Waltz of the Flowers.
• Mice (Ballet 2) –Dancers will rehearse on Sundays starting September 22nd. Soldiers and Mice dance together in the battle scene so they will share rehearsals as soon as the mice learn their choreography.
• Pixies and Bon Bons (Ballet 3) –Rehearsals will take place both Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings around 11am. Dancers in these roles perform in ACT II Waltz of the Flowers and with the Sugar Plum and Cavalier. Both roles are taught separately and then with the rest of the cast.
• Ginger Cookies, Bluebell Flowers (Ballet 4a) –Rehearsals in these roles are held both Saturday afternoons and Sundays. Both dances are in ACT II. Bluebells are part of the Waltz of the Flowers.
• Party Scene (Ballet 4b) – Dancers cast in these roles rehearse both Saturday and Sunday afternoons for an average of 1.5-2 hours each day
• Fuchsia, Candy Canes, Little Clara, Fritz, Angel Leaders, Soldiers (Ballet 5a) – These dancers usually get cast in 2 roles. Rehearsals are scheduled both Saturdays and Sundays.
• Fuchsia, Candy Canes, Soldiers (Ballet 5b) – These dancers usually get cast in 2 roles. Rehearsals are scheduled both Saturdays and Sundays.
• Ivy, Soldiers, Big Rats (Ballet 6a) – These dancers usually get cast in 2 roles. Rehearsals are scheduled both Saturdays and Sundays.
• Enrichment/Company – Corps of ballet roles, demi-soloist, soloist and principal roles.  Dancers will have rehearsal both Saturdays and Sundays.

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Attendance Policies

It is very important that your child attends all rehearsals.  The most important thing you can do to make this a great experience for your child is to make sure they are present and on time for all rehearsals. 

Below are our policies regarding absences.

• Attend all rehearsals –Dancers are expected to attend all rehearsals and classes except in extenuating circumstances. Prior notification to the studio is required for scheduled conflicts.
• There are no excused absences– If your child is not at rehearsal for whatever reason, it counts as an absence.
• 3 Absences – If a dancer misses more than 3 rehearsals, their casting may be affected.
• Dress and Tech Rehearsals – All dress rehearsals and technical rehearsals are mandatory.
• Performances – All performances are mandatory. No dancers can leave a performance early.
• Drop Out Rule – No refunds will be given after casting has been posted.

Senior Fathers in Party Scene

Calling all dads of Senior dancers to the stage to participate in our Party Scene! You get to dance and be onstage with your graduating senior.   Rehearsals will be every Saturday and Sunday starting October 19^th(TBD).  These rehearsals are typically after 3:00pm. Don’t worry – your dancer will sign you up!

Parent Volunteers

The Nutcracker production takes committed parents to create the show! This is an opportunity for you to become part of your child’s Nutcracker experience. Parents are expected to join a volunteer committee and volunteer for at least 2 shifts within that committee.  Committees include:

• Costume maintenance: sewing and costume alterations both throughout our rehearsal season and during tech week / show weekend
• Costume management: transporting costumes to and from the theater, managing various costume elements (e.g. putting headpieces and other accessories with each costume)
• Load in / out: transporting scenery and props to and from the theater, assisting with loading in and out and setting up all scenery and props
• Poster distribution: distribute posters to local businesses
• Chaperones: chaperoning backstage for dress rehearsal and show weekend, getting dancers correctly backstage for their call and then return to their dressing area
• Boutique: preparing items for our boutique sales, working at the boutique during show weekend to sell Nutcracker items
• Concessions: working at the concession stand during show weekend
• Flowers: assembling bouquets in advance and working at the flower table to sell bouquets show weekend
• Ushers: taking tickets, passing out programs and helping patrons to find their seats during show weekend
• Hair & Make-up: staff the hair and make-up table assisting dancers with headpieces, special make-up and costume accessories

Connect With Us

 If you ever have questions, there are many ways to contact us….

• 📞Call NEAD Office 203.972.3265
📧  Email:neadinfo@aol.com 
💻  Website: neadance.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danceconnectionnj/
🏡  In-Person: 231 Main Street New Canaan CT 06850 
⏱ Office Hours: Monday – Friday 10:00am – 6:00pm Saturday 9- 2:00p.m. Sundays: office is closed.


📧 Email – Our Primary Mode of Communication Our primary mode of communication is email. Please maintain a valid email on your account and make sure neadinfo@aol.com is on your email safe list. NEAD cannot be responsible if an important email does not reach you due to an invalid email address, or spam filter.

Full Length Performances are approx. 2 hours long

Children’s Show (act II only) approx. 1 hour long

ORDER OF THE SHOW:

Party Scene

Battle Scene ( soldier, mice and big rats )

Clara and the Nutcracker

Waltz of the Snow

Intermission

Waltz of the Flowers ( pixies and all flowers)

Spanish

Chinese

Candy Canes

Arabian

Mother Ginger & Ginger Cookies

Marzipan

Sugar Plum and Cavalier (bon-bons)

Finale and Bows