Embedded Files
Goals
Goals
- Learn about the world of ballet through the Nutcracker
- Explore the marriage of music and movement
- Drawing a movement map inspired by Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker music.
Scroll down for a video and corresponding activities. You can replay the link for reference as you experience the activities below.
Scroll down for a video and corresponding activities. You can replay the link for reference as you experience the activities below.
Video
Video
Dancers from New York City Ballet perform “Waltz of the Snowflakes” in an excerpt from George Balanchine's The Nutcracker.
Dancers from New York City Ballet perform “Waltz of the Snowflakes” in an excerpt from George Balanchine's The Nutcracker.
Something to know:
Something to know:
George Balanchine, one of the founders of the New York City Ballet was known for his strong connections between music and dance. His choreography reflects these connections.
George Balanchine, one of the founders of the New York City Ballet was known for his strong connections between music and dance. His choreography reflects these connections.
This video is an excerpt from The Nutcracker, a fairytale ballet based on an old Russian story “The Nutcracker and The Mouse King.”
This video is an excerpt from The Nutcracker, a fairytale ballet based on an old Russian story “The Nutcracker and The Mouse King.”
In “Waltz of the Snowflakes” the dancers are embodying snowflakes, flying and floating in a snowstorm.
In “Waltz of the Snowflakes” the dancers are embodying snowflakes, flying and floating in a snowstorm.
Their movements match the intensity of the music, and the storm.
Their movements match the intensity of the music, and the storm.
Warm Up
Warm Up
Photo Credit: Kevin Yatarola
- Listen to the music
- Take a deep breath in for two counts and out for two counts.
- Take a deep breath in for four counts and out for four counts.
- As the music plays, match your movements to your breath.
- Move your arms up to the sky on your inhale, and lower on your exhale.
- Continue pairing your movement and breathing several times.
- Now, imagine you are conducting the music with your arms. Just keep those arms moving! There is no right or wrong.
Reflection / Discussion
Reflection / Discussion
1. What do you notice about the dancers?
1. What do you notice about the dancers?
- What did you notice about their costumes?
- What are they holding?
- How do they interact with each other?
- What do you notice about their expressions?
2. What did you notice about the stage design?
2. What did you notice about the stage design?
- What do you notice about the colors (or lack of colors)?
- How does the stage design depict a snowstorm?
- What do you notice about the background?
- If you could change anything, how would you design the stage?
3. What did you notice about the music?
3. What did you notice about the music?
- How is the music reflected in the movements?
- What rhythms do you notice?
- What images does the music remind you of?
Ballet / Movement Class
Ballet / Movement Class
Many of the terms and moves in ballet come from the French language.
Many of the terms and moves in ballet come from the French language.
Inspired by the dancers in Waltz of the Snowflakes, we are going to learn and practice three ballet moves:
Inspired by the dancers in Waltz of the Snowflakes, we are going to learn and practice three ballet moves:
Plié (to bend)
Plié (to bend)
Étendre (to stretch)
Étendre (to stretch)
Relevé (to rise)
Relevé (to rise)
Activity Video
Activity Video
This video will take you through the extension activity below with a facilitator. You can choose to watch the video and do the activity along with it. Or, you can read the activity and participate by scrolling down.
This video will take you through the extension activity below with a facilitator. You can choose to watch the video and do the activity along with it. Or, you can read the activity and participate by scrolling down.
Rehearsal
Rehearsal
First, we will practice each move
First, we will practice each move
Plié (to bend)
Plié (to bend)
- Open your arms out to a V position
- Bend your arms.
- Repeat these movements several times
Étendre (to stretch)
Étendre (to stretch)
- Extend your hands, palms open
- Stretch and wiggle your fingers.
- Repeat these movements several times
Relevé (to rise)
Relevé (to rise)
- Turn your head left and right
- Raise your head by looking up to the sky.
- Repeat these movements several times
Performance
Performance
Now that we’ve practiced each move, let’s create a “Dance Sentence” and put our moves together in a sequence.
Now that we’ve practiced each move, let’s create a “Dance Sentence” and put our moves together in a sequence.
Bend
Bend
Stretch
Stretch
Raise
Raise
Be the choreographer:
Be the choreographer:
- Experiment using different body parts for your sequences.
- Decide how many times to repeat each move within a sequence.
- Add music (from the video) to this sequence. Pair your movements to the music.
- Try your dance with different music - how does it change your movements?
Art Making
Art Making
In this activity, we are going to create a drawing inspired by the Nutcracker music and stage design. You can watch or listen to the video again for inspiration.
In this activity, we are going to create a drawing inspired by the Nutcracker music and stage design. You can watch or listen to the video again for inspiration.
Supplies:
Supplies:
Paper and a writing utensil
Paper and a writing utensil
1. Imagine that your paper is the stage.
1. Imagine that your paper is the stage.
You can place the stage any way you wish.
You can place the stage any way you wish.
2. Move your writing utensil in the directions you want the dancers to move across the stage.
2. Move your writing utensil in the directions you want the dancers to move across the stage.
3. Create lines and designs that match the music.
3. Create lines and designs that match the music.
4. Try this activity again with your eyes closed.
4. Try this activity again with your eyes closed.
How did that change your picture?
How did that change your picture?
My example:
My example:
Explore More
Explore More
Extension Questions:
Extension Questions:
- If you did the drawing activity with a partner, place your drawings side-by-side. How do the pictures compare?
- How did the drawing and movement activities change your perspective on the performance?
- What are your other favorite dance performances?
How is the movement connected to the music?
Additional Links:
Additional Links:
- To learn more about New York City Ballet, click https://www.nycballet.com/
- To watch more videos from Lincoln Center at Home clips, click here.
Share:
Share:
Tell us what you think! Email us at access@lincolncenter.org to share your thoughts on the activities and website.
Tell us what you think! Email us at access@lincolncenter.org to share your thoughts on the activities and website.
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