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                      Student Handbook 

​Parents and participants are asked to read this handbook in its entirety, and to keep it  for the duration of the Nutcracker Season.  It is expected that parents and participants  understand and agree to abide by all details listed within this handbook. 
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​AUDITION INFORMATION

UPON ARRIVAL 
  • Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled audition time to sign in and complete registration
  • Each dancer will be given an audition number upon arrival
  • Each participant must pay a $25 membership fee.  There are no other associated fees associated with participating in the Sunshine Coast Nutcracker. 
  • Parents must complete and sign associated paperwork
  • Dancers should arrive in dance attire with hair tied back in a bun for girls and kept neat for boys. (See Dance Attire for further information)  

ELIGIBILITY
  • Dancers must be committed to attending all rehearsals and performances.
  • Dancers must be at least 7 years of age by  December 31, 2023, with a minimum of 1-year dance experience.
  • Dancers must remain enrolled in a minimum 1 class per week in each style they wish to perform in for the 2022-2023 dance season (ie. Ballet, Acro, Contemporary, etc) This can be done at any of the local dance studios. Ballet is recommended as the primary class of choice.  
  • Dancers participating in more advanced ballet roles are expected to maintain a higher level of weekly training at their studio. 


AUDITION ATTIRE 
  • GIRLS: Ballet Attire preferred: Leotard, ballet tights (convertible tights  recommended) & ballet slippers. Hair in a neat ballet bun or pinned back for shorter hair styles. 
  • Pointe Shoes for those that it applies to
  • BOYS: Dance pants & shirt. Black ballet slippers or barefoot. Hair neat and kept off face. 
  • Tap shoes are required for those auditioning for the Tap roles.


NUTCRACKER MEMBER FEES
The Sunshine Coast Nutcracker has a non-refundable membership fee of $25, which must be paid by cash or check. If more than one member of an immediate family is cast in the Nutcracker, the fee is $50/family.  Fees are paid directly to the Sunshine Coast Youth Dance Association.  Please make cheques payable to: SCYDA
There are no other fees associated with participating in the Sunshine Coast Nutcracker.    All rehearsals, training, costumes, etc are provided by The Sunshine Coast Nutcracker (SCN). The costumes supplied will remain the property of SCN. You will be expected to  pay for your child's tights, shoes, make-up, hair products and other personal items.
PAPERWORK: Terms and Conditions, Letter of Agreement
A signed letter of agreement, including terms and conditions, and the release letter, are  required for all cast members and must be turned in by the first rehearsal. The letter of  agreement is included in this packet. Dancers 19 years of age and older must sign this letter. A  parent or guardian must sign for each cast member younger than 19 years of age


REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
The majority of rehearsals will take place between September & December 2022.  Saturdays & Sundays will be the primary scheduled days.   Rehearsals will take place in Gibsons.   Schedules will be posted in 6 week intervals over the rehearsal season and will vary in timing based on the needs of the choreographers and progress of the dancers. 


PERFORMANCE DATES & DRESS REHEARSALS
The Sunshine Coast Nutcracker 2021 production is scheduled to be performed  December 15- 19th, 2022.  The majority of dancers will be divided between 2 casts. Cast A & Cast B.  Each  cast of younger children will dance an evening show but not necessarily dance in all performances.  Older dancers may be assigned to dance in all performances. 

The scheduled performance dates at the Heritage Playhouse Theatre are as follows:  
  • Wednesday, December 6th @ 7pm (CAST A)
  • Thursday, December 7th @ 7pm (CAST B)
  • Friday, December 8th @ 7pm (CAST A)
  • Saturday,  December 9th @ 2pm (CAST B)
  • Saturday, December 9th @ 7pm (CAST A)
  • Sunday, December 10th @ 2pm (CAST B)
  • Sunday, December 10th @ 7pm (CAST A)
  • Monday, December 11th @ 7pm (CAST B)

Dress rehearsal are tentatively set for: 
  • Saturday, November 25th
  • Sunday, November 26th 
Extra dress rehearsals and in studio rehearsals may be called closer to the performance dates



COMMITMENT REQUIREMENTS 

Rehearsals 
We will have a rehearsal schedule emailed to each dancer & posted on our private Facebook  page. On the registration form there is a prior commitment section. We will work around the  other dance commitments in the community, and do our best to work around other schedules, if possible. (i.e. soccer!) 
All rehearsals, including dress rehearsals, are considered “closed rehearsals,” meaning only  participants (no parents) are allowed to be inside of rehearsal space. 

Dancers will participate in scheduled rehearsals which are mandatory without prior permission.  Dress rehearsals held during the performance week will include the entire cast. Dancers are  expected to arrive and be ready to rehearse by their call time (arrival time). Dancers should  arrive with hair and makeup done (based on specific guidelines given for each participant’s  role), and be ready to dress in their costume (with leotard, tights, and shoes on). If a participant  has multiple roles/costumes, please arrive ready for the first role rehearsed. 


COMMUNICATION
Communication will be through email. Please make sure you provide us with your current  address. 


UNDERSTUDIES
Several roles are cast with an understudy to fulfill the role in case a need arises. Understudies   are expected to attend all rehearsals for any role they are cast as an understudy. Understudies are valuable roles and integral to the efficiency of a production.


COSTUMES
Costumes are provided by the Sunshine Coast Nutcracker. These costumes are not for  dancers to keep or bring home. Female dancers are required to wear light pink tights and pink  ballet shoes (pointe and character shoes dependent upon role, if required), provided by the  participant. It is also recommended that all dancers supply for themselves and  wear nude bodysuits under their costumes.  Shoes and tights must be clean and without rips or stains. Tights are the  responsibility of the participant. It is highly recommended to send dancers with an extra pair of  tights on the performance day, and to plan ahead by purchasing extra tights during the month  of November. 
Make up is required for all roles. The purpose of make-up is for the audience to be able to see  facial expressions clearly. Hair/makeup specifications will be given to each role along with  costume specifications.


ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS                                                                                             
Rehearsal scheduling is at the discretion of the artistic staff, and attendance is MANDATORY.     No unexcused absences will be permitted.  Due to the limited time available to produce the Sunshine Coast Nutcracker for the December production dates, no more than 1 excused absence will be permitted.  There is simply not enough time to make up missed material.  

Excused absences include:  illness, injury, family emergencies, previously arranged conflicting activity.  Excused absences must be communicated with the directors or choreographers, prior to the event if possible.  
Unexcused absences include: failure to arrange rides, shopping trips to Vancouver, birthday parties, and extra curricular activities not previously arranged with the Sunshine Coast Nutcracker rehearsal staff (ie. track meets, other sports related events, music events, etc)
ALTHOUGH EVERY EFFORT IS MADE TO ADHERE TO THIS SCHEDULE, WE  ASK THAT YOU CHECK YOUR EMAIL FREQUENTLY IN CASE OF NECESSARY CHANGES. 


BEHAVIOUR POLICY
Self-discipline  and a respectful attitude is required.  Each participant must:
. 
  •  Pay attention and not climb or swing on barres or other equipment in the rehearsal     
           space or theatre. 
  •  Arrive on time & in proper dance attire (See Audition Attire Requirements for reference).
  •  Be ready to learn and maintain focus throughout rehearsals.
  •  Be respectful to all staff and other participants.
  •  Refrain from loud talking and respect the personal space of others. 
  •  Take all rehearsals seriously and respect the privilege of participating in a professional 
 production.
  •  Have a positive attitude and be inclusive to all.  The Sunshine Coast Nutcracker is one  
 team and all participants and staff have equal importance and value.  

SELF PRACTICE REQUIREMENT                                                                                                           
Each dancer is expected to practice on their own between rehearsals. We schedule a minimum of rehearsal time for each dance in order not to monopolize your spare time. This is especially  important for solos and small ensemble pieces. Even though you are awarded a specific role, it is important that you work to maintain the level of technical execution required to fulfill the role through to performance. Choreography for some roles can be adjusted according to the dancers who are doing those  roles ~ other roles have specific requirements and more technically demanding ~ only dancers  with these skills will be given those roles



VOLUNTEER REEQUIREMENTS 
The Coasting Along Theatre Society is supported ENTIRELY by volunteers. The opportunity for  your dancer, and the community, to experience the Nutcracker Ballet is only possible because  of these great volunteers! 
Volunteers are the key to a successful production. We have over 100 volunteer positions  ranging from set and costume preparation to ticket booth sales and backstage chaperones.  Volunteer positions are posted on our website. It is expected that ALL Nutcracker participant  families fill at least one volunteer shift during the Nutcracker season. 
Only parents who are designated as backstage volunteers (chaperones, runners) will be allowed  past the security table during rehearsal and performance days. If you think your child may want  you with them, please sign up for chaperone duty. 
give his/her full attention/effort to participate in "Nutcracker". No one should begin rehearsals  only to drop out when something else becomes available. 


COMMITTEES
Parents are required to help with some aspect of "Nutcracker". Committees are:
1. SETS ~ Repair or repaint existing sets - NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY
2. PROPS ~ Repair, refurbish or replace existing props (AT HOME PROJECT)
3. MAKEUP ~ a one Performance or Dress Rehearsal commitment
4. HAIR ~ curling, fixing, making sure all heads are coiffed beautifully
5. DRESSERS ~ a one Performance or Dress Rehearsal commitment
6. PACKING ~ Several people are needed to help pack all costumes, hats, props,  etc.   
7. LOAD IN/OUT ~ Man or woman-power needed to move everything to the  theatre during production week. It requires several people to load the truck and unpack it at the theatre. Also need help to tear down after the final  Performance. This is not so much muscle as it is lots of hands to gather  everything together. 
8. PUBLICITY ~ IMPORTANT COMMITTEE! We prepare flyers and necessary  information for you to give to your church bulletins, civic organizations, Girl  Scouts, Boy Scouts, church groups, nursing homes, public service  
announcements for local radio stations. It’s more than simply hanging posters. WITHOUT PUBLICITY WE HAVE NO AUDIENCE. 
9. COSTUMES ~ Make alterations, sew-on buttons, etc. (take-home  projects), press costumes. Help is also needed to gather costumes after  the final Performance. 
10. STAGE CREW ~ Need 10 people (male or female). Must have the same group for all  performances and rehearsals as duties must be assigned. MEN VERY HELPFUL - NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. 
11. FUNDRAISING ~ ad selling, letter writing, helping to find additional sponsors, even organizing a Nutcracker Ball! The possibilities are endless. 
12. BOX OFFICE ~ Ticket Sales – Scotiabank during business hours, and man  Box Office phone. Tickets will go on sale in November. 

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