NUTCRACKER FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions ~ The Nutcracker Ballet

Many of these questions and more are answered in documents available on the Volunteer Information page:

Is this website public?
- This website is visible to anyone who has the link, but is not publicly searchable. Contact info for Coordinators & Co-Coordinators, used with permission, is the only proprietary info on this site. Please share the link only within NSB's productions/volunteer community.
Did I sign up to volunteer by filling out the form I received in the mail/at fittings?
- No! That volunteer interest survey was just to see where folks are interested & give you an idea of how many different ways there are to volunteer. To actually sign up, please visit the Vol Info/Sign-Up page or let Elizabeth know via call, text, or email!
What if I'm too sick/injured to attend a rehearsal or performance?
- Call NSB ASAP @ 907-451-8800, Elizabeth @ 206-954-4929, or during theater week, Hering Backstage @ 907-452-3177 or 907-456-7794 ext 17628
What if I'm late during Hering Auditorium week?
- Please be on time! At 5 minutes past your call time, we'll try to call you. At 15 minutes past, we will begin contacting a replacement. (However, we cannot provide child-care before adult volunteers arrive.) If you're running late, but on the way, let the Volunteer Coordinator know by calling or texting Elizabeth at 206-954-4929
Where is the Hering Auditorium Stage Door?
- The stage door is between Hamme Pool and the Lathrop High School front entrance; a single gray metal door before you get to the main entrance doors. It will have a light & Stage Door sign. This is where you drop off/sign in and pick up/sign out your child. See important related info under General Production Information.
Where is the Lost & Found?
- Lost & Found is just inside the Stage Door with the Door Monitor. Bring up any unclaimed downstairs items.
- After Nutcracker, Lost & Found items will be brought back to the Artisans Courtyard.
What is meant by "Company"?
- The Company refers to the official North Star Ballet Company of dancers. The term does not refer to the entire cast, as in some productions.
- Company Call on your Hering Schedule is when those attending warm-up will arrive; see below. Others arrive per their role's call times.
Who may attend warm-ups at Hering?
- Warm-up is for Apprentice, Company, Guests & Alumni dancers. Junior Company may warm up in the wings if they desire. Notes from the previous day are given on stage directly following warm-up.
What does it mean to be an Understudy?
- Understudying a role should be considered an opportunity, not a chore! You may need to step in at a moment's notice.
- Understudies are listed as "US" on cast lists. Company and Apprentice understudies are required at all rehearsals; Junior Co. and children only if notified.
Where do children go during Sunday, Monday & Tuesday Staging Rehearsals?
- The downstairs dressing area will not be used until Wed dress rehearsal. Sun–Tues, children (and parent volunteers) will sit quietly in the auditorium with their groups until called to the stage. (They'll take all personal items with them; bring homework or a book!)
- Please feed your kids before they come to these long rehearsals and have them bring snacks to make it through!
Which is Stage Left? Stage Right? Downstage? Upstage?
- If you're on stage facing the audience, your left is Stage Left (SL) and your right is Stage Right (SR). Downstage is closest to the audience and Upstage is closer to the backdrop (helps to think of a raked stage sloping up away from the audience).
What dressing room will I be using?
- Adult men & Guest women are upstairs in dressing rooms on stage right end of hallway
- Based on the numbers of dancers this year, Company & Alumni are upstairs together in first stage left dressing room
- 1st & 2nd Year Apprentice Co are downstairs in their own room by stage right stairs
- Junior Co & Children are downstairs with their group by role
- Make-Up is downstairs in the big storage room by stage left (no costumes allowed!)
What are the rules while I'm in costume?
- No eating or drinking (except water) while in costume! Plan ahead so you don't get hungry.
- No costumes are allowed in the Make-Up room.
- No costumes are allowed in the upstairs dressing rooms.
How do I make ringlet curls for Party Girls and Cherubs?
- There are a variety of methods, depending on personal preference, hair length/texture (& patience!):
- Rag curl method (10 minutes!): Youtube video on rag curls
- Foam rollers: Youtube video on foam rollers
- Curling iron: Youtube video on curling iron
- For all methods, it's a good idea to have a big hairnet to wear over your full head of curls until stage time and between performances.
- Party Girls & Cherubs arrive for dress parade/photos, dress rehearsals, & performances with curls done -- practice first!
- Find insider tips on this page: Ringlet Curls How Tos
What are the hairstyles for the rest of the children's roles?
- Buns on the top of the head for Elves, Chinese, Soldiers, & Polichinells.
- Something that lies flat to the head for Little Mice & Big Mice
- Hair neatly combed & slicked back for Party Boys
What are the different volunteer jobs & how will I know what to do?
- You will find job descriptions on the sub-pages here: https://sites.google.com/site/northstarballetvolunteers/volunteer-information
- Many of us have done this for years and are there to help!
When do volunteers need to arrive?
- Coordinators often arrive earlier than times below to set up their areas:
- Stage Crew & Props: ~1 hour before curtain to get lined out by Technical Director Scott Calder, so around the end of warm-up
- Door Monitor: ~20 minutes before the 1st children's group call time (so, ~1 hr 20 min before curtain; I'll be there before warm-up, so no need to come then if your child isn't there early)
- Dressing Room Chaperones: at least 15 minutes before your children's group call time
- Make Up & Wardrobe: at least 15 minutes before the 1st children's group call time (so, ~1 hr 15 min before curtain)
When are volunteers finished?
- Act 1 is ~1 hour long, & Act 2 ~1 hour including Intermission. Most actual Stage Crew, Make-Up, and Wardrobe work is done by the end of Intermission, but it is good to have a few folks in these jobs stay until the end of the show: 2 on each side for Stage Crew, mostly just in case of mishap; someone for Make-Up touch-ups; and Wardrobe folks to put costumes away and prep for the next show
- Dressing Room Helpers w/ with children only in Act 1 can leave after Act 1 when their group is done. When all make-up is removed dancers are brought up to wait with the Door Monitor for pick-up
- The Door Monitor must stay until the last child is checked out, unless they find someone willing to split their shift or stay late for them
How/why do I log my volunteer hours?
What is pick-up time for children only in Act 1?
- If you are only in Act 1, you will be done approximately 60-75 minutes after the show starts. The whole show, Acts 1 & 2, is 2 hours long.
- Please do not leave an Act 1 child unattended during Act 2, since there is no longer a dressing room helper assigned to their role!
Can I volunteer at a Dress Rehearsal even if someone else is already signed up for the same job?
- Yes, if you want to learn your job by attending a Dress Rehearsal, you can double-up names on the sign-up spreadsheet. Just be careful not to remove anyone when you add your name!
Can I bring younger children along while I volunteer?
- Please find child-care if at all possible because downstairs gets very crowded; however, we won't turn you away if your younger child can handle it! For safety reasons, it's Hering policy that no siblings are allowed to be with adults working in the wings doing stage crew or props.
What do I need to know about the Friday am school performances?
- It's an early morning and a long day! Cast A Children have 2 back-to-back shows, beginning @ 9:30 & 11:30 am, ending at 12:50 pm. Check your arrival times! (Company roles may be split the school shows; please refer to cast lists)
- Dancers do not leave between shows! Bring a lunch or snack and a water bottle to make it through.
- There are only 10 minutes between Act 1 & Act 2.
- Typically we do not do Sugar Plum, Marzipan, or Flowers for the shortened school performances. The exact show order for 2018 is TBA.
Do I need a ticket to watch a performance if I'm helping out front prior to the show?
- Yes, all audience members must purchase a ticket.
Do volunteers get Comp tickets?
- Though each and every volunteer is greatly appreciated, NSB is unable to offer comp tickets. NSB relies very heavily on ticket sales, which do not cover the exorbitant cost of producing the Nutcracker.
Can my child watch Act 2 if they're only in Act 1?
- Yes, but they must be with an adult who has purchased a ticket. Children who want to watch ACT 2 must be picked up at the stage door during intermission. Please discuss this with your child ahead of time so they know where to be and who will be picking them up.
Do I need to remove my makeup to go watch Act 2?
- Yes! Dancers must remove all stage makeup and dancewear to watch Act 2 from the audience.
Does the Nutcracker need any items donated?
- Donations of bottled water (but best to have a re-usable bottle), small paper cups, Kleenex, and baby-wipes for make-up removal are always appreciated. Non-messy snacks like tangerines, granola bars, etc. are wonderful. You may drop them with the Door Monitor. Donations are tax deductible; save receipts and turn in to NSB office for letter acknowledging donation.
Where should I leave baked goods for concession sales?
- Baked goods ARE needed in 2018! We need home-baked or store-bought goodies to sell during Intermission! They can be dropped before the show, either in the front house on the long cafeteria counter, at the ticket booth, or with the door monitor if the front house is locked.
Can I take photos during performances or dress rehearsals?
- Parents are welcome to take pictures after performances; however, pictures or videos may not be taken during performances or closed dress rehearsals. Professional photographs and videos of both casts will be available for purchase.
Do the plug-ins in the Lathrop parking lot work?
- Plug-ins cycle on a timer, so don't panic if you notice your cord light is off.
Where can I buy ballet shoes & dancewear in town?
- Mo Holland has a dancewear store @ 914 College Rd.
- Payless Shoes has ballet slippers in small sizes.
- Dance attire can also be purchased at www.discountdance.com
Is there a Nutcracker Cast Party?
- There will be a Cast Party following the Saturday evening performance. All are welcome, details TBA

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