From the tiniest mouse to the Sugar Plum Fairy...Nutcracker season has started!  

From the archives circa 1980's photo credit : unknown
Can you identify any of these dancers?  

Just look how the photo of the mice captures the intense focus of our youngest cast members from two decades ago. Have the gifts you received by being part of the Nutcracker tradition continued to play out in any aspects of your life? As we prepare for our 49th Nutcracker run, let's just consider two of many attributes: timing and preparation.

  

Timing...is everything in life! Action and reaction are taught through body gestures in conveying a story with the universal language of dance. Audrée Estey was known to have coached Act 1 dancers to watch carefully for when the Nutcracker breaks as cast members can easily get stuck in the musicality and not real stage time action. She said" Don't answer the phone before it rings." Her analogies continue to be carried out by Sherry Alban, with the assistance of  Princeton Ballet School alumnae and faculty members Erica Mero and Katie Scibienski in rehearsing the children in Act 1. The Sugar Plum and Cavalier's timing to successfully complete a helicopter landing in a fish requires the amazing precision that Douglas Martin elegantly coaches.

Preparation...What does the famous four count intro 5,6,7,8 mean to you? The adrenaline rush before entering stage, the cue you are listening for prior to changing marks on stage, the port de bras before the combination starts? It is also the hallmark of the countless hours put into rehearsals knowing that perfection is elusive. Mary Barton, ARB Ballet Master and ARBW coordinator along with Maria Youskevitch, Cheryl Whitney and Laurie Abramson are preparing the students in their various roles to dance alongside the professional company members in what is sure to be a fabulous production.

A great round of applause also goes out to the behind the scenes "cast" members.The dynamic duo Cindy Mahoney and Cathy Urwin assisted by Nicole Rahl are the trusted kid wranglers. The 30 minute call is coming from  Pete Cook as Stage Manager for over 3o years. Matthew Keefe as Operations Manager and his crew help create the magic. Gina Ricca as Wardrobe Supervisor and Michele Ferranti as Company Wardrobe Manager make sure that all cast members are costumed and dressed exquisitely.

Collectively, the afterformentioned faculty and staff have dedicated over 100 years  to keep our holiday tradition alive. As you are getting ready for holiday gatherings and celebrations, remember how the show must always go on! I would love to hear from you about how the Nutcracker may have prepared you for other aspects in life and hope to see you at the 7th Annual Nutcracker Alumni Gathering. ( see details below)

 

Please send updates to lderavel@arballet.org.

Sincerely,
Lisa de Ravel
Alumni Relations Coordinator

7th Annual Nutcracker Alumni Gathering 

Happy Holidays! Photo by George Jones

American Repertory Ballet's Winter Appeal makes a significant difference in our ability to sustain our 2011-2012 programming, including the Company's world class dance performances, Princeton Ballet School's outstanding dance education and the continued expansion of our acclaimed Access and Enrichment programs. These are the roots our founder Audrée Estey established. We continue to honor our past and protect our future but we can not do it without your help.