Policies

• Kindness and Respect: All dancers and families are expected to treat one another (and staff) with kindness and professionalism. Negativity about casting from dancers or parents will not be tolerated.

• Clean-Up: Dancers must clean up after themselves in the studio and dressing rooms.

• Costumes: SI Dance manages all costumes. They will not go home with dancers. All costumes must be returned in good condition after the production. A replacement fee will be charged for any lost or damaged items, ranging from $50-$400 depending on the costume. 

• Pointe Safety: Dancers cast in pointe roles must wear appropriate, functional (“alive”) pointe shoes to all rehearsals and classes for safety reasons. Dancers must be able to complete regular pointe classes, without issue or injury during the week, to perform

• Casting & Understudies: Some roles  have understudies. If a dancer misses too many rehearsals, classes, or fails to meet expectations, an understudy may replace them. Dancers removed from a role will not receive refunds. Understudies only pay a costume fee if they perform in the show. Understudies will be used at director's discretion. 

• Rule Enforcement: Failure to comply with expectations or policies will result in removal from the production.

Weekly Ballet Classes

• All dancers must take every ballet class offered at their level at SI Dance during Nutcracker season (registration opens in August).

• Only 1 absence per month is allowed; additional absences must be made up in a lower-level class.

Rehearsals

• Dancers must be present for all new choreography. Missing the initial staging of choreography may result in a dancer being replaced or omitted from that section of the production.

• Dancers must attend all scheduled choreography sessions and weekly notes.

• Missing more than one rehearsal may result in understudy replacement.

• Mandatory Dates (no absences):

  • Sunday, November 22 

  • Production Week (Nov 29– Dec 5)

  • Please communicate with other extracurricular programs-there are no excused absences for this week! This includes band/choir/theater programs at school.

    • 11/29–12/2: Studio rehearsals at SI

    • 12/3 (tentative): Dress rehearsal at CrossWalk Church, 4–10pm

    • 12/4: School shows at 10:30am & 12:30pm; public show at 7pm

    • 12/5: 6pm or 7pm public performance

• Pointe Warm-Ups (for select dancers): These are mandatory when scheduled prior to rehearsals.

• Doctor's note will be required for sick absences. 

***All absence decisions are at the discretion of the director, who will consider extenuating circumstances***

• • Friday, December 4th

  • 10:30am School Show: Act I Cast B

  • 12:00pm Act 2 Cast B: Act II-Planning for Act II but will depend on whether we have enough interest. ACT I may perform instead of ACT 2 if guest artists are unavailable. Final decision by September 30. 

• A School Absence Letter is provided below. Please give this to all teachers, including elective classes.

• Dress Rehearsal Arrival: Full hair & makeup by 4pm at Crosswalk; dancers on pointe will have a 1:30 pm warm-up at SI.

Note: If we don’t get enough schools to register, school shows will be canceled. Please help distribute the school show flier to teachers, schools, co-ops, PTAs, etc.

• Questions? Email SI Dance or check the Nutcracker website for updates. Do not reach out via text or social media. 

• In the event of a pandemic, emergency, natural disaster, or theater availability all fees are nonrefundable.

• Dancers may not miss rehearsals during Production Week, even for outside commitments (e.g., band concerts).

• Picture Day: November 7 or 8-TBD

• Pancake Day: TBD

• Sno-to-go Fundraiser-simply visit Sno-to-go on Saturday, August 22nd and a portion of all sales go to our program!

• Fundraiser: August 10-14: Double Good Popcorn. More info under the “Fundraising” tab