Update from July 20

Hello Nutcracker Families!

Just a few reminders before we close the studio until August 7th.....

CASTING DAY is REQUIRED FOR EVERYONE:

Casting Day follows the Saturday, August 12th auditions starting at 1:00 for dancers who auditioned in May and August. Please arrive by 12:45. Parents should drop off their dancers at the studio and plan to pick them up after Casting around 3:00. It is VERY important that everyone be there for the entire time. Viktor calls all of the dancers for each scene together so he can see the group together and make changes as necessary on the spot. If dancers are missing it is very hard for him to imagine the scenes appropriately. Thank you for your attention to this!

OTHER INFO. for CASTING DAY:

- girls: leotard, tights, ballet slippers, and hair in a ballet bun

- boys: black legging pants, white t-shirt, black ballet slippers

- bring a water bottle with your dancer's name - PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY FOOD

Parking.....there is parking on nearby Orange Street, Mulberry Street, Water Street, and King Street. Some of the street parking is metered, and some are free parking - it just depends on the location. There are also a few parking garages very close to the studio. Please do not try to park all day in the lot at the studio - other than 3 spaces marked for VYIBA which are for staff, all other spaces are rented/leased to local businesses. Please be mindful of their spaces and park in another location. You will risk being towed if you park in any of these spaces in and around the studio. Yes, we know that the grocery store parking lot behind the red house looks really enticing to park in to wait, but please don't do it! They are watching on the cameras and they will be out to confront you and us and then promptly call the tow company.

The studio is small, so we will try to have some adult volunteers assist with pick-up by walking dancers downstairs and helping them get to their parents. The best scenario would be to park somewhere close by - one of the close streets or garages - and walk to the studio - then we can bring dancers downstairs upon your arrival. No dancer will be allowed to leave the studio unless we know a parent/guardian is downstairs waiting (and someone will walk them down) or if a parent comes inside to get their dancer.

The alley gets very congested. We are aware that it is a 2-way street by law, but we try to encourage dance families to treat it as a one-way street. Please enter Grant St from Water St. If there are vehicles coming in both directions, it is almost impossible to get around the alley which creates a large problem. Please, please, please enter from Water St.

Schedule for the next 4 rehearsals

Also - this Saturday, when you pick up your dancer, please make sure they have a REHEARSAL SCHEDULE with them. This schedule will have their NAME at the top and we will HIGHLIGHT their specific roles. This first schedule will include rehearsal for August 19, August 26, September 9, and September 16 (no rehearsal for September 2nd - Labor Day Weekend) This schedule will have the times for their part or parts. The rehearsal schedule will change every 3 or 4 weeks or so. You will receive new schedules by email, we will have copies at the studio, and post the schedule on the Nutcracker website.

Viktor gives each and every role careful thought, and as time goes on, he may feel the need to make a few switches. Out of respect for Viktor, please do not ask him to change your dancer's part or to assign something other than what they have been given.

AUGUST 19: *1:00 to 3:00 Parent Meeting -- Mark your calendars! NEW PROCEDURES

Nutcracker Parent Meeting will be August 19th at the Lancaster Trust (37 N. Market Street), starting at 1:00. Ending time will be TBD, most likely around 3:00. We encourage all new and "veteran" families to attend this meeting and get familiar with the Nutcracker process to navigate all the dates and details throughout the upcoming months. We will go over the commitment fee for 2023, the ticket process, and the Saturday rehearsal expectations, introduce the Nutcracker Team Leaders and answer questions. This is a very informal meeting and we are excited to meet everyone. There will NOT be a Zoom option this year. *****There will be new procedures for paperwork and tracking payments. Plus new little studio procedures. Please plan to attend even if you are a veteran parent.***** BRING A DEVICE WITH YOU THAT YOU CAN ACCESS THE INTERNET ON. WE ARE GOING TO WALK YOU THROUGH HOW TO SIGN UP FOR AN AKADA ACCOUNT SO YOU CAN TRACK YOUR PAYMENTS.

If anyone has questions regarding Casting Day or general Nutcracker ins and outs - feel free to email us!

Thanks, Everyone!

Kelly and Marie