Nutcracker 2026 Dancer Info

The Children’s Nutcracker Rehearsal and Performance Information 2026

 

The Children’s Nutcracker is our All-School Performance for our 2026 Winter Gala. The Children’s Nutcracker is an abridged version of the Nutcracker Ballet that tells the whole story of the Nutcracker but in a more succinct child friendly way! The performance is approximately one hour and fifteen minutes in length including an intermission. There will be two performances. CAST A will perform on 12/12 at 2:00pm and CAST B will perform on 12/12 at 7:00pm.

CAST A:  12/12/26 2pm Performance

ACT I  

Overture- Monday Preballet
Party Scene 
Little Mice
Battle Scene- Big Mice and Soldiers       Snow Scene

ACT II

Intro
Sugar Plum
Russian
Marzipan
Spanish
Chinese
Arabian
Bonbons
Waltz of the Flowers
Finale

CAST B:  12/12/26 7pm Performance

ACT I  
Overture- Saturday Preballet
Party Scene 
Little Mice
Battle Scene- Big Mice and Soldiers       Snow Scene

ACT II
Intro
Sugar Plum
Russian
Marzipan
Spanish
Chinese
Arabian
Bonbons
Waltz of the Flowers
Finale

TICKETS: are for sale through the Buskirk-Chumley Theater ONLY. They can be purchased online www.bctboxoffice.org or in person at their box office 114 E. Kirkwood Ave. The show will be professionally recorded with DVD’s available for purchase through the MotionArts website. 

                                                                         

IN STUDIO RUN THROUGH REHEARSAL: Saturday, December 5th at MotionArts

Full Run through of ACT I   CAST A and CAST B   at MotionArts: Saturday, December 5th 1:30-3:00pm for both casts at the studio. NOTE: Preballet will be done by 2:00pm

Full Run through of ACT II   CAST A and CAST B   at MotionArts: Saturday, December 5th 3:30-5:00pm for both casts at the studio.

 

DRESS REHEARSAL at THE BUSKIRK-CHUMLEY THEATER- REQUIRED: Dancers may have one family member in the theater to wait with them and are free to leave once they are done on stage.

Friday, December 11th:
ACT I CAST A & CAST B (NO Preballet or Little Mice CAST B) 5:30-7:30pm
ACT II CAST A 7:30-9:00pm

Saturday December 12th:
ALL Preballet CAST A & B 10:15-10:45am Little Mice CAST B 10:45-11:00am
Bonbons CAST B 11:00-11:15am                                                                                                         

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:

 

SATURDAY 2:00PM CAST A

(Company Dancers arrive 12:30pm)
All School Dancers arrive 1:00pm- drop off at main inner entrance. ALL ITEMS MUST BE LEFT WITH PARENTS- NO SHOES, COATS, BAGS, WATER BOTTLES ETC. allowed
Performance 2:00-3:15pm (doors open for audience including parents at 1:30pm)

 

SATURDAY 7:00PM CAST B

(Company Dancers arrive 5:30pm)
All School Dancers arrive 6:00pm- drop off at main inner entrance. ALL ITEMS MUST BE LEFT WITH PARENTS- NO SHOES, COATS, BAGS, WATER BOTTLES ETC. allowed
Performance 7:00-8:15pm (doors open for audience including parents at 6:30pm)

                                                                                                                       

SHOW DROP OFF:

Dancer Drop Off: Please drop off your dancer at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater at the main entrance to the lobby, dressed and ready to perform. ALL ITEMS MUST BE LEFT WITH PARENTS- NO SHOES, COATS, BAGS, WATER BOTTLES ETC. allowed. Dancers will be directed to their assigned area to put on costumes and be organized with their group leader. Dancers will remain with their group leader for the show, sitting in the student section with their group. If a dancer is in more than one dance, they should locate all needed costumes then find their first dance group leader who will make sure they are handed off to the next group when it is time. Older students ages 9+ in multiple dances may report to the downstairs dressing room and remain there for the show after checking in. There will be a full cast bow at the end of the show. Dancers must return costumes neatly to their assigned area in the marked bins and be checked out by their leader before leaving the theater. 

 

COSTUME REQUIREMENTS:  

Costume Loan: MotionArts owns all costumes and accessories. Some costumes will be distributed to students to take home, but most pieces will be distributed at the theater. Dancers will need to wear their own leotard, tights, and shoes (requirements by part listed below) and arrive ready to put their costume on. All costumes and accessories distributed at the theater must be returned immediately after the show to their designated bins to be used again for the next performance:  

Preballet: Pink narrow strap leotard (no skirts), pink tights with feet, pink ballet slippers, hair in bun.

Party Scene Children: any color leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers, hair in bun

Little Mice: Black leotard, black dance shorts, pink tights for girls, bare legs boys, ballet slippers hair in bun

Big Mice: Black leotard, black dance shorts, pink tights, pink ballet slippers, hair in bun

Soldiers: Black leotard, pink tights, black leggings, ballet shoes, hair in bun

Waltz of Flowers: nude or light pink camisole leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers, hair in bun

Bonbons: Black narrow strap leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers, hair in bun