The Nutcracker Comes to Town
>> Monday, December 21, 2009
Madeline, Dad & Ethan in the dressing below the stage
Toy Soldier Ethan & Chinese Girl Madi
Ethan, grandma Tammy (Franchesca) & cousin JaxonSo we had an exciting day this past Saturday: the kids were in The Nutcracker at the Civic Auditorium. It was a day of fun, yet, chaotic madness.
They had been practicing for 2 months for this and were really excited for "The Big Day", as Ethan put it. This was our first time having the kids in any kind of "professional" (where people actually paid to see it) and we learned a few of things:
1. don't be in a hurry
2. be ready to be in a hurry at a whim's notice
3. when the dance director freaks out, don't take it seriously
4. remember that the kids are supposed to have fun doing this
I'm kind of new to the whole ballet-dance-theater genre. I understand that to perform well you have to be serious and practice, practice, practice. While I was kind of surprised at the severity of lecturing the directors dished out to the dancers in between performances, I can wee why they are they are so stern in their ways: a lot of work went into the performance. And it paid off.
Madeline was one of the Chinese dancers in the 2nd Act. She was so damn cute on stage. She was easy to spot on stage because she was the only one that was getting into it: shaking her booty, doing her gestures and bowing like a Chinese. Classic. Then she kind lolly-gagged getting off the stage (for both performances) checking out all the fancy props, lights and other dancers. What can we say, she loves the limelight and was just milking it!
Ethan was one of the toy soldiers in the 1st Act. He took his role pretty seriously. Cousin Jaxon was one on the mice so he and Ethan got to fight each other in the battle scene, giving it all they had. It was like an army of hyper midgets going at it with toy guns and swords.
Britt's parents, Jeff and Tamera, where part of the performance as well. They had the role as the "Purple Family" in the opening party scene in the 1st Act. They did great. When they signed up at the beginning of all this to "volunteer" in the party scene, they didn't realize how much they would actually have to practice and participate in the dance. In the end I could tell Jeff was having fun with it (he was acting like he was taking shots in the party scene!)
Britt wore herself out. While she wasn't in the performance, she was the one who really did most of the work getting the kids to and fro and getting them ready – the whole time while trying to take care of work related things and everything else involved with the holiday season. In the process she ending up getting sick but persevering and sticking it out. She is way more tougher than I am, that's for sure. Right on Chickeedee.
After being on the go from 7 a.m to about 11 p.m. Sat., Sunday morning was spent sleeping in for the gang. French toast and coffee (not for the kids) is a good way to spend Sunday mornings.
Many thanks to all the family that took time from their busy lives to come to the kids' performance. We understand how Sat.'s can be most peoples day to do errands so we greatly appreciate those who were able to make it.
I think we're taking next year off, however.
They had been practicing for 2 months for this and were really excited for "The Big Day", as Ethan put it. This was our first time having the kids in any kind of "professional" (where people actually paid to see it) and we learned a few of things:
1. don't be in a hurry
2. be ready to be in a hurry at a whim's notice
3. when the dance director freaks out, don't take it seriously
4. remember that the kids are supposed to have fun doing this
I'm kind of new to the whole ballet-dance-theater genre. I understand that to perform well you have to be serious and practice, practice, practice. While I was kind of surprised at the severity of lecturing the directors dished out to the dancers in between performances, I can wee why they are they are so stern in their ways: a lot of work went into the performance. And it paid off.
Madeline was one of the Chinese dancers in the 2nd Act. She was so damn cute on stage. She was easy to spot on stage because she was the only one that was getting into it: shaking her booty, doing her gestures and bowing like a Chinese. Classic. Then she kind lolly-gagged getting off the stage (for both performances) checking out all the fancy props, lights and other dancers. What can we say, she loves the limelight and was just milking it!
Ethan was one of the toy soldiers in the 1st Act. He took his role pretty seriously. Cousin Jaxon was one on the mice so he and Ethan got to fight each other in the battle scene, giving it all they had. It was like an army of hyper midgets going at it with toy guns and swords.
Britt's parents, Jeff and Tamera, where part of the performance as well. They had the role as the "Purple Family" in the opening party scene in the 1st Act. They did great. When they signed up at the beginning of all this to "volunteer" in the party scene, they didn't realize how much they would actually have to practice and participate in the dance. In the end I could tell Jeff was having fun with it (he was acting like he was taking shots in the party scene!)
Britt wore herself out. While she wasn't in the performance, she was the one who really did most of the work getting the kids to and fro and getting them ready – the whole time while trying to take care of work related things and everything else involved with the holiday season. In the process she ending up getting sick but persevering and sticking it out. She is way more tougher than I am, that's for sure. Right on Chickeedee.
After being on the go from 7 a.m to about 11 p.m. Sat., Sunday morning was spent sleeping in for the gang. French toast and coffee (not for the kids) is a good way to spend Sunday mornings.
Many thanks to all the family that took time from their busy lives to come to the kids' performance. We understand how Sat.'s can be most peoples day to do errands so we greatly appreciate those who were able to make it.
I think we're taking next year off, however.
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