Tights and shoes are the parent/dancer’s responsibility. A detailed breakdown of all garments students must provide and bring to theatre rehearsals and performances on their own will be made available after the audition.

Shoes:

• Information regarding shoes will be made available after the audition.

Tights / Briefs:

• Some roles may wear tights and leotards that match their skin tone or “ballet pink” color tights. Please try to purchase the recommended brand and style of tights, however the most important thing to consider is that the tights and shoe color should match.

• Additional information regarding tights/briefs will be made available after the audition.

Undergarments:

• Every female dancer must wear a nude leotard under the costume. This is not optional.

• Every male dancer must wear proper undergarments. Dance belts for older boys; younger boys please wear underwear that is neutral and fits well under costumes. No boxers.

Notes:

• No leotards with clear plastic straps.

• For each performance, students should wear freshly laundered leotards, tights, and/or socks with their name written on the tag in dark ink inside each garment.

• For dress rehearsals or performances, students are required to wear deodorant to help protect and preserve the costumes.

Parents/students are responsible for the student’s hair and makeup for rehearsals and performances. We will be sending out the accessory sheets that will contain information specific to each role concerning accessories, hair, and makeup production week. All dancers must wear stage makeup and have hair styled appropriately.

A schedule will be posted to the calendar following casting.

Student rehearsals and performances of The Nutcracker will adhere to BC's Health & Safety Protocols. BC is committed to creating a safe and healthy environment for students, staff and families. Guidelines and safety protocols may change based on changes to national, state, and/or local recommendations. 

• WHEN TO STAY AT HOME:

  • Please keep your student home if they have a fever. Your student is welcome to come back when they are fever free for 24 hours without medication.

  • If your student is experiencing cold/flu/COVID 19 symptoms please stay home and alert Management sarah@balletchesapeake.org.

• ENTERING THE THEATER:

  • Parents should drop their children off at the check-in table on the first floor of Stephens Hall. Upon arrival for all rehearsals and performances, dancers will need to be dropped off and signed in and out. Parents will not be allowed beyond that point.

  • Students must arrive in their dance clothes under street clothes. 

  • Do not wear ballet shoes outside. 

• Photos are permitted at dress rehearsals, however NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY. DURING PERFORMANCES, FILMING AND PHOTOS ARE NOT PERMITTED. You will be asked to leave the theater.

• DO NOT POST VIDEOS ON ANY SOCIAL MEDIA OUTLETS.

• Individual photos of your child are fine to post, but you may not post the work of teachers or other students without permission.

• A professional video will be available in a digital file for purchase. More information to come.

If a studio rehearsal, dress rehearsal, or performance is canceled due to inclement weather, all families will receive an email as soon as a decision is reached. A notification will also be posted on this website and, for performances only, the BC website. It is rare for BC to cancel any rehearsal or performance due to inclement weather and we rely on the judgment of each family when considering the drive to the studio or theatre.

• Ballet Chesapeake prohibits and will not tolerate harassment of any kind to or by any persons, including teachers, staff, students, parents, and any other person affiliated with or doing business with the company. 

• This prohibition includes harassment (verbal or physical) for any unlawful discriminatory reason, such as race, gender, national origin, disability, age, or religion. Slurs, jokes, or remarks that are derogatory of a person or group’s race, ethnic background, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, economic status, or age are considered inappropriate for the company’s environment. 

• This also includes behavior that could be classified as bullying, whether in person or via social media, and any behavior commonly understood as abusive or disrespectful toward others. 

• If an incident occurs when parents/guardians or students behave in an aggressive, disrespectful, or harassing manner, the Director will investigate the complaint, and the family may be asked to leave the production. Families who wish to discuss an issue either in person or over the phone with the Director should schedule an appointment via email.

• Studio rehearsal and dress rehearsals are the time for students to learn and concentrate on their role(s). Students are expected to take, retain, and implement corrections with a positive mindset. 

• If a student needs to use the restroom, they should ask a member of Stage Management in the studio or onstage, not the Artistic Staff running the rehearsal. 

• No talking, lying down, or hanging from ballet barres while in studio or theater rehearsals.

• No running, pushing, or shoving in dressing rooms, hallways, or backstage.

• No sitting on counters or tables in dressing rooms, backstage, or in the studio.

• Ballet Chesapeake nurtures an environment and atmosphere of respect and professionalism. Our expectation is all faculty, staff, students, and families behave in a considerate and polite manner towards each other. Any issues between individuals will be discussed in a calm and respectful manner. Families who wish to discuss an issue either in person or over the phone with the Director should schedule an appointment via email.

• • Only water is allowed backstage, in studios, and dressing rooms, no other food or drink is permitted in these areas.

  • No glass water bottles.

  • If a break is noted on the studio or dress rehearsal schedule, students may bring non-messy snacks in a container with their name on it, that do not require refrigeration or a microwave, to be eaten at the break time only. 

  • There is absolutely no eating in costume, the backstage area, the backstage dressing rooms, or in studios.

• Students are to arrive to dress rehearsals and performances in nude leotards and street clothing and with hair and make-up completely done per the chart in the Costume Information Section.

• Ensure that your student has all required clothing, shoes, and makeup when they arrive at the theatre for rehearsals and performances.

• Students should bring extra bobby pins and an extra hair net (if applicable), extra essential hair products (hairspray, gel, etc), a hairbrush for touch-ups, a bottle of water (no glass), and a quiet activity for the dressing room.

• Students are expected to come to rehearsal and performances in correct attire. 

  • DCM Uniform should be worn for studio rehearsals

  • The required garments, hair, and make-up (listed in the costume information section) should be worn for dress rehearsal and performances. Dance attire should be worn under street clothes.

  • No glitter, perfume, nail polish, jewelry, or hair accessories are allowed.

  • Street clothing and street shoes (not warm up booties) are required when entering and exiting the theater. Dance shoes are prohibited from being worn outside the studio or theater. 

  • Shoes must be worn at all times inside the building.

  • No warm-ups (including Booties), shorts, tank tops, or legwarmers are allowed in studio rehearsals or onstage. Warm-ups may be brought to the theatre to be worn if students are watching from the audience during theatre rehearsals.

  • Elastics and ribbons on ballet shoes and pointe shoes must be properly sewn and tucked in. 

  • For studio rehearsals, dancers with long hair should wear their hair in a hairstyle that is secure and without loose hair. 

  • All belongings should be kept INSIDE of dance bags.

  • Labeling all personal items with the student’s name is highly recommended. 

  • Ballet Chesapeake is not responsible for damage, theft, or loss of personal items.

• Students should wear a clean leotard or t-shirt and tights or socks to all studio rehearsals, theatre rehearsals, and performances.

• For dress rehearsals and performances, students are required to wear deodorant to help protect and preserve the costumes.

• No sharing hair brushes, combs, or other personal items.

• One excused absence is allowed, but not preferred. This absence may not be taken during the two weeks prior to the show.  The office needs to be notified ASAP if your child will be missing a rehearsal for any reason.  Absences known in advance must be submitted in writing at least two weeks prior to the office on Ballet Chesapeake Absence Request form.

• Please understand that if your dancer misses more than once, they may be removed from the production, and no refunds will be given.  All dancers must attend their ballet technique classes throughout the rehearsal window.

• Absence Request Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSchJmi9WABymL7x5KrJ_cDgQhurbpuf9TYdfCl5SbHySck47A/viewform

• Volunteers must be signed up in advance and be a close family member (parent, guardian, or primary caregiver) of a student in the performance.

• A Backstage Volunteer Sign Up will be distributed in a separate email and made available on the website. Backstage Volunteer Shifts begin 15 minutes before the Drop Off time for their student’s role and end 15 minutes after the Pick Up time.

• Each family is expected to sign up as a Backstage Volunteer for at least one performance.

• Male or female close family members may volunteer in the student boy’s dressing room. Only close female family members are allowed to volunteer in the female dressing rooms. 

• BC will provide each Backstage Volunteer with an identification badge to be worn throughout the entire shift.

• Being a Chaperone Volunteer involves being able to meet the following physical demands: bending, stooping, walking (this may involve stairs), lifting up to 20lbs, ability to fasten and unfasten ribbons, zippers and/or hook & eyes on costumes for those students who need assistance and the ability to maintain a level of quiet and calm over a large group of students in a dressing room.

• No additional children or family members are allowed backstage, only the close family member signed up for the volunteer shift will be allowed in the performer area.

  • Chaperone Volunteers should not bring busy work (books, magazines, etc.) as the students require 100% of the Volunteer’s attention (this includes having cell phones put away during shifts).

  • Chaperone Volunteers are a part of our security system and are responsible for all the students in their student’s role group from their arrival at the drop off time to their departure at the Performer and Staff Entrance at Security after the role has performed.

  • In the dressing rooms, Chaperone Volunteers help the students with their costumes, do their hair if they have a hair change, keep the noise level down and the room calm. Students are not allowed to sit in costume and may not get into costume until there is an announcement to do so.

  • Chaperone volunteers will escort their group to and from the dressing room and the backstage hallway when there is an announcement to do so over the walkies or when instructed to do so by a member of BC Staff. 

  • After their role has been performed and the students are all dressed in street clothes, their costumes are hung up neatly and their dressing room area is clean, the entire group of students in a role is to be escorted to the BC Check In Table.

  • Once all students in a role have been picked up, Chaperone Volunteers are free to leave with their student. 

  • No videography allowed backstage. 

  • Cell phones must be turned off, to Do Not Disturb, or to Silent for the duration of your time backstage. 

  • Chaperone Volunteers are to stay in their assigned dressing room with their role assignment group unless specifically asked to assist a different group by a member of BC Staff. If another group of students is being unruly in the shared dressing room area, Chaperone Volunteers are encouraged to assist with getting the noise and energy level in the entire room to an acceptable (low) level.