The dances for Nutcracker seem to be going very well

I am very pleased with the students. The combined rehearsals really inspired some young dancers. This is a wonderful gift you are giving them. The process of getting there is the real reward, not the performance itself. I could not be more proud of Waltz of the Flowers; they have all worked so hard.

I still have not seen some dances with everyone here.

Please understand we are constantly doing things and if we changed your dance and you were not here I am sorry. If we tried on costumes and you were not here I am sorry. I cannot hold up the process.

Costumes should be fine. They are not going to be perfect. They were not ordered for your child.  It is a children’s stage production. It is not for TV or close up and does not require the perfection that camera impose.

The only costume I am still worried about is Snow. I need to see them all here one more time before Friday.

Most mending is done but Miss Cunningham needs help with pantalettes and costumes for party scene. If any one has a sewing machine and can help I‘m sure she would appreciate it greatly.

I did have a session on make-up on Saturday.

Very few people came. I’m assuming that is because my note said it would be on Saturday the 10th and it was on Saturday the 9th.

Stage make-up is as much an art as a ballet bun and really requires a lot of practice to get right. We have made some changes this year.

I have asked everyone to wear his or her make-up to the auditorium both Friday and Saturday. The Theater is supposed to have better lighting than in the past. This will determine how heavy the make-up should be. Their lights should be in Tuesday and if all goes well we will be wearing more make-up than usual.

Most everyone 3rd grade or older needs to be trying to work with false eyelashes. Please buy a white pencil. (below the bottom eyeliner, in-between the lines, and underneath the eyebrows). Eyebrows are greatly neglected here. Please invest in an eyebrow pencil. Snow needs lots of glitter (fairy dust) especially on eyes, but you must be able to get it off for Act II, so not in hair or arms if you can’t get it off.

Act I Angels wear very little make-up and should not stress over this.

It is very hard to get make-up on a small child and I will take what I can get.

On the eyes I would suggest rouge and light brown

Eyeliner is easier than mascara. Do not make the lines meet but do not extend them out like the older kids. A light color lipstick and rouge should be fine.

They wear their hair with the front pulled back and the back down in curls.

As do the party scene girls.  Remember no bangs except act I angels.

In the excitement of nutcracker let’s not forget nursing homes this week.

Debra