451 Student Performers208 (4,160 minutes) Class Practice Sessions: Two 20-minute sessions each weekbeginning in mid-October36 4th/5th Grade Volunteer & Back Stage Practice Sessions (before & after school)18 Principal Dancer Rehearsals13 Dance Teachers60+ Dressing Room Parents15 Nutcracker Committee Members24+ Performance Day Volunteers: Including 6 Middle School & 2 High School StudentsThe annual Strandwood Nutcracker production only happens because of the 100+ dedicated volunteers that give their time and energy to make this possible for our children. Costume fittings/alterations, makeup, dressing room parent coordination, props and set design, class dance rehearsals (scheduling & teaching), morning and afternoon practices, back stage rehearsals, DVD sales, Sugar Plum Sweet Shoppe donations, etc.... This is truly a team effort and we fully appreciate the time, dedication and energy of our volunteer parents, grandparents, siblings and friends. We couldn't do this without you! Thank you.
Special ThanksWe would like to extend a special thank you to our Nutcracker Extraordinaire, Suzie Silva. Suzie has worked backstage at every Nutcracker for the past 9 years! Thank you so much for your commitment, dedication and patience. We greatly appreciate everything you have done for us over the years.
Nutcracker ClosetThe Nutcracker Closet was very successful this year. We received many donations and many families were able to borrow needed items. If you did borrow something from the Closet, please launder the item if necessary, and return it to the Nutcracker Closet collection basket outside the MUR. If you have items you would like to donate for next year, those can also be placed in the basket. We are collecting any items that are used for the basic costumes. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Alexandra Kemp at
nutcrackercloset@strandwood.org.
Sugar Plum Sweet ShoppeThank you for the delicious sweet treats. All proceeds will be used for future costume and prop restoration. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. A special thank you to our neighborhood businesses who donated items for the Sweet Shoppe: Peet's Coffee/Pleasant Hill, Trader Joe's/Concord Blvd., The Little Red Bistro, Safeway/Oak Park, Donut King, Sinful Bliss Cupcakes, Pop Mama Pop Gourmet Kettle Corn, and Grocery Outlet/Pleasant Hill. Please support these local businesses and share our thanks.
Nutcracker DVD SalesIf you have not yet ordered a DVD of your child's Nutcracker performance, there is still time. Just fill out the order form (available
here or in the office) and return with a payment to the office by this Friday, Dec. 7th. The DVD will be delivered to your child's classroom before Christmas. DVDs of last year's performances are also available at the same price. If you have any questions, please contact Amanda Szakats at
aszakats@comcast.net.
Nutcracker Needs Your HelpDo you want to be part of the magic that makes the Nutcracker special to so many? We need volunteers to keep this treasured Strandwood tradition alive or it will be in jeopardy of disappearing next year. Our Nutcracker Chairs, Roxanne Gambill and Cindy Turner, are stepping down. We are also looking to fill many other crucial positions on the committee. We will have a Nutcracker meeting in January to assess the viability of this program, as parent participation is crucial. Please contact
nutcracker@strandwood.org if you are interested in taking on a larger role within the Nutcracker. Future meeting dates will be announced here in the Roadrunner and all are invited to attend.
