NUTCRACKER FAQs
How do I know which shows and rehearsals my child will be in?
A master schedule is posted on the bulletin board in the main lobby.
Please check the grid, and write down the dates your child will be performing.
Rehearsal schedules will also be printed and left on the front desk. We suggest you read the printed schedule very carefully, and highlight all your child’s rehearsal times.
Rehearsals start on time, so plan to arrive early enough to be ready to go when rehearsal is scheduled to start.
Where do I go?
Our Nutcracker is performed at Merrill Auditorium in Portland. City Hall is located on Congress Street, and the stage door is located behind City Hall on Myrtle Street. Security personnel monitor all comings and goings, and they will ask you who you are. Don’t be offended, they are there for our protection. Simply tell them that you are with Maine State Ballet, and they will have you sign in.
Where do I park?
There is a parking lot located on the corner of Congress and Pearl Streets (Top of the Old Port). There are also garages located on Temple Street and Pearl Street in the Old Port. There is also metered parking on many streets, and there are some parking meters in front of the courthouse.
DO NOT park in the newspaper lot on the corner of Cumberland and Myrtle streets-- YOU WILL BE TOWED.
What about tickets?
Everyone in the audience needs to buy a ticket. Reindeer and Little Pages are allowed to watch the first act only if they have a ticket. They must come backstage immediately at the beginning of intermission. Other than that, no performers are allowed in the audience at any time.
What time should I come to the theater?
If you are in Act 1, you must be in the dressing room one hour before show time.
Angels should also plan to be in the dressing room one hour before show time.
If you are in Act 2, you need to arrive 20 minutes before show time. Everyone must check in with a Backstage Chaperone upon arrival. We get nervous when we don’t know if you’re there.
Only Reindeer and Little Pages may go into the audience for Act 1, and only if they have a ticket. You must sign them in backstage before the show so we will know they are here. As soon as intermission starts, hurry down to the big dressing room so we can get them dressed.
All other performers must stay backstage at all times. Appropriate behavior is expected.
Do parents stay backstage?
Due to space restrictions, security, and the large number of performers, parents are encouraged to leave their child with our Backstage Chaperones. Be assured that your child will be well supervised and secure. Please check your child in before the show and out after the show.
If you would like to volunteer as a Backstage Chaperone, for one show, a few shows, or the entire run, please sign up with Mrs. Robinson at the front desk. We need lots of Chaperones to keep things running smoothly, and we’d love to have you.
Can I take pictures?
No cameras, video cameras, or cell phone cameras are allowed to be used in the audience. Security will take them away if they see them.
We encourage you to take pictures in the dressing rooms and backstage (not, of course, in the wings), and you are welcome to take pictures on the stage after the show.
The only exception to this is the last performance. Because we are packing everything up, we ask that all performers leave the dressing rooms as soon as possible
Can people come backstage after the show?
Security will not admit anyone they don’t know. You must sign in at the desk. If you have friends or family who want to come backstage after the show, you must instruct them to go to the stage door and ask for you. You must meet them there and take them backstage yourself. In a large show like Nutcracker it is best to meet just outside the stage door.
All children in the big rehearsal hall must be signed out by a guardian. Backstage Chaperones are instructed not to let young people out of the room until someone has come backstage for them.
NUTCRACKER COSTUMES & HAIR
Please leave all jewelry and other valuables at home.
No jewelry is allowed onstage except rhinestone studs for corps de ballet.
Many people will be backstage at any given time, and MSB cannot be responsible for any lost or missing jewelry or personal items.
If it is valuable to you, leave it home.
All costumes are owned by Maine State Ballet. Accessories needed are:
PARTY GIRLS: Pink or white camisole leotard (or camisole and pink trunks), pink tights, pink Pointe shoes, hair in curls, no bangs
PARTY BOYS: Black tights or socks, tank top for under costume, black ballet or jazz shoes
ANGELS: Camisole leotard, pink tights, ballet shoes, hair in curls and parted in the middle. It’s best to put in foam curlers the night before the show and arrive at the theatre with the curlers still in. If a curling iron is going to be used instead, it is the parent’s responsibility to stay and help your child.
RUSSIANS: Pink tights, pink trunks, hair in bun, no bangs
CONFECTION PAGES: Camisole leotard and tights (any color), ballet shoes. Black socks to cover shoes will be provided. Instead of a bun, hair should be pulled into a ponytail on top of head and pinned down as flat as possible to fit under your turban. No bangs
SUGAR PLUM PAGES: Pink leotard and tights for under costume, pink Pointe shoes. Instead of a bun, hair should be pulled into a ponytail on top of head and pinned down as flat as possible to fit under your turban. No bangs
LITTLE PAGES: Pink tights, pink ballet shoes, leotard for under costume. Instead of a bun, hair should be pulled into a ponytail on top of head and pinned down as flat as possible to fit under your turban. No bangs
SOLDIERS: Black leotard for under costume, black socks or tights, black ballet or jazz shoes, bun on top of head, no bangs
MOTHER GINGER GIRLS: Pink or white camisole leotard for under costume, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, hair in bun, no bangs
MOTHER GINGER BOYS: White ballet shoes and white tights
REINDEER: Leotard and tights for under costume, ballet shoes, hair in a bun, no bangs. Black socks will be provided for little feet.
