2012 Nutcracker

Christiana Bennett and Christopher Ruud

(We love watching the principle dancers up close.)

 

Last Saturday, Jacey and Max tried out for the Nutcracker again.  Every year, we ask them if they want to try out, and every year they tell me they do.  Max knows that it is Jacey's world, and that if Jacey doesn't make it then he can not do it either.  His decision comes down to this.  Does he want to dance on stage for 20 minutes and then hang out with friends, or does he want to sit in an auditorium for 2 hours watching a bunch of dancers participate in a LONG boring production of the Nutcracker?  Which do you think he chose?  

 

There were 9 boys that tried out for 9 parts.  8 boys made it.  (One boy looked too old for the Ballet Nazi.)  Gregg took Max to his tryout, and after 10 minutes they were told they made it.  All they had to do was skip across the floor.  Not much of a try out if you ask me, but in the world of ballet, boys are a scarcity. 

 

Jacey's tryout was a little more intense.  She actually had to try out.  On the way to the dance studio, she seemed a little more relaxed than in years past.  She even told me that she was hoping to be a mouse or a clown.   She was so relaxed in fact that she forgot her ballet shoes.  Oops!  Never mind, we had plenty of time to get them.  Her tryout took a little over an hour and a half.  I had plenty of time to do my exercise for the day.

 

Just like last year, the dancers were told that the names of those that made it would be posted on the web site later that same night.

 

IT WASN'T POSTED

 

AND IT WASN'T POSTED THE NEXT DAY!

 

It wasn't until Monday that the actual list was posted.  Jacey unfortunately didn't get either of the parts she really wanted, but was happy with the part that she did get.  She was chosen to dance the part of a Lady in Waiting.  Next year she will have to try out on pointe. 

 

On a side note, I counted the quick changes for the show out of curiousity, and there are almost twice as many as we had last year.  Things will be "a hoppin'" backstage.  If I am on the quick change committee again, I hope the committee has a few more members.