Sunday, December 6, 2015

THANK YOU!!

A very big thank you and congratulations to all of our South Pointe Ballet family. This year's Nutcracker production was wonderful! We hope all the dancers enjoyed their performing experience. They all did a great job and we have had so many compliments on their performances. Thank you to all the parents that gave so much of their time and talents supporting the show. You make all the difference!
A huge thank you to our director Angela Curtis whose tireless efforts and dedication provide these wonderful performance opportunities for our youth. And to Miss Anna who gave us all of her weekends to help direct rehearsals and guide our dancers through this production. We are all fortunate to work with such amazingly talented and dedicated people.

If you haven't ordered your Nutcracker DVD yet there's still time. Order forms are available at the studio but the last day to order is Thursday, Dec 10th. Photo disc order forms will also be available at the studio beginning Tuesday and orders will be taken through Wednesday, Dec 16th.

Thanks again for all your efforts and support! It's been a pleasure and we can't wait to get things rolling again. Stay tuned for info about our next production.

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Cast Party

I can't believe it's closing night already! The performances have been wonderful so far. Thanks everyone, for your hard work in making this such a successful Nutcracker.
We are looking forward to celebrating and relaxing after tonight's performance. All cast members will need to help load trailers and clean the dressing room and auditorium before heading to the festivities.

Meet us at the Pie pizzaria in South Jordan (next to city hall) after we have cleared the school building. It will be a pay-your-way for pizza but South Pointe Ballet will be providing dessert.

We will also have cast gifts for the dancers. They will receive their gift after turning in their costumes after the matinee performance.

We hope you have all had a fun time during the Nutcracker this year. Thank you again for all the effort and dedication. See you tonight :)

Monday, November 30, 2015

A reminder for all dancers and volunteers

We are excited to be moving the production from the studio to the stage. The following is a list of important things to remember. Please review this with your dancer(s). Even seasoned dancers need to be reminded of proper etiquette. Thank you!

- We are guests at Elk Ridge Middle School. Please show respect to the school property and staff. Each room we use should be left as if we were never there.

- DO NOT draw on the chalkboards or move any furniture. Student desks may be moved by the parent volunteers but MUST be put back in their proper places at the end of each night. Teacher desks, and anything on them, should NOT be touched at all.

- DO NOT leave trash or litter of any kind anywhere! This includes bobby pins and safety pins. All garbage cans should be emptied each night. DO NOT leave a trash bin full of tissues and make up remover wipes.

- Ultimately, please just be considerate. You wouldn't want anyone to trash your bedroom so please don't trash the teachers' classrooms or the auditorium. Leave everything how you found it ... or better.

- Please also respect your costumes and props. Fines will be imposed for cleaning or replacement costs.  **Tip: apply lipstick AFTER putting your costume on and take lipstick off BEFORE removing your costume to prevent smearing it on your costume.

- DO NOT walk around in your nude leotard and tights. This is simply inappropriate! Outside of the dressing room dancers need to be in either a costume preparing to perform or street clothes after dancing.

- Costumes should not be worn outside of the dressing room or staging areas. Please do not wander around in them or wear them in the auditorium seating areas or lobby. Once you are done performing take your costume off, hang it neatly in it's bag and check it back in.


Other important information:

-Dancers will each receive 2 complimentary tickets at the conclusion of tech rehearsal. These may be obtained from Paige in the backstage area and must be signed for.

-A photographer has been hired to take pictures during dress rehearsal, the matinee performance and the saturday evenings performance. There will be no other photography allowed. Select photos will be posted on the blog approximately one week after the show (each number will be represented). A complete disc of all the photos will also be available for purchase by South Pointe Ballet dancers only ($5). This option helps us protect your privacy by allowing you to decide how to appropriately share pictures with your family and friends instead of making them openly public.

-DVD order forms will be available at the performance. This videography service is contracted through South Pointe but is seperate from the ballet company. No other video may be taken during performances (including dress rehearsal). All payments and orders will be handled by the videographer. Please refer to the order form for questions regarding payment for the DVDs.

Cast Party

-We have had parents voice concerns over the issue of a cast party. We realize that holding it after the closing night performance (and set strike-down) makes for a very late evening. Not many locales are open that late and it also limits the number of cast members that can attend, especially our younger dancers. However, some prefer it to be done that same evening because there is a already a celebratory mood after accomplishing such a tremendous production.
So, we need some feedback. When dancers sign for their complementary tickets we would like them to select an option below that will help us, as a committee, decide what best fits our casts need/desire for celebration.
    
Option 1: Closing night
          This cast party would likely be held at the Village Inn on Redwood Rd and 9000 S as it is the closest location that will still be open at 10:00pm (which is when we plan to have everything loaded and ready to leave the school). Everyone is free to order/pay for themselves. You are welcome to come and not eat as well, if that is your choice.

Option 2: The Saturday following Nutcracker (Dec, 12th) - Restaurant
          This cast party could be held during the day to free up your evening for family parties or during the evening to give you time for holiday to-dos during the day (please have your dancer specify day or night if selecting this option). If held at a restaurant we could request a banquet room. Again, it is a pay-your-way meal but we would have photos to display and more time for socializing.

Option 3: The Saturday following Nutcracker (Dec, 12th) - Activity Center
          This cast party could also be held during the day or evening (please have your dancer specify day or night if selecting this option). We could possibly reserve a bowling alley, skating rink or bounce-house type facility. However, this option would require parents to reserve a spot and pay in advance. The cost could range from $5-$12 dollars depending on the facility chosen. Suggestions are welcome.

Thanks for all your hard work, everyone! This is going to be a great production! Please direct any questions to production manager, Paige Miller at southpointeballet@gmail.com or (801)577-1564



Sunday, November 29, 2015

NUTCRACKER WEEK IS FINALLY HERE!!!

Alright everyone, it's here! It's finally here!
Let's rev up our engines for an intense, but fun, week of Nutcracker mayhem :) Please remember, all of our remaining rehearsals are being held at Elk Ridge Elementary. No more studio. The school is on the southwest corner of the intersection of Bangerter Hwy & 9800 S. The entrance is on the north side of the school.

Below you will find the list of call times. Dancers-you need to arrive at your call time ready to go in tights and nude leotard with shoes ready and hair done (no ringlets on tuesday party girls - yay)
We will practice costume changes at the tech rehearsal tuesday so come prepared!! Costumes will be checked out to dancers at 6:00. Rehearsal begins at 6:30.

TUESDAY - DEC 1st
5:30pm - all volunteers help unload the trailer and receive instructions about your posts
6:00pm - dancers check out your costumes
6:30pm - dancers to the stage - rehearsal begins
Please plan for rehearsal to go until 10:00pm. We will dismiss groups when completed.
**Although there will be no ticket selling or ushering going on we need all volunteers to come tonight to learn your position and give you an opportunity to ask questions before we have an actual crowd.

WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY 2nd-5th (evenings)
5:45pm - volunteers check in with production manager (Paige) and then report to your area
6:00pm - dancers report to the dressing room for costume checks
6:15pm - lobby opens for ticket sales
6:30pm - auditorium opens for seating
6:45pm - Act 1 dancers report backstage
7:00pm - curtain goes up - Woohoo!
7:45pm - Act 2 dancers report backstage
9:30pm - curtain down, dancers return costumes & clean the dressing room
10:00pm - school locks up - we're out of there!

SATURDAY 5th (matinee)
12:45pm - volunteers check in with production manager (Paige) and then report to your area
1:00pm - dancers report to the dressing room for costume checks
1:15pm - lobby opens for ticket sales
1:30pm - auditorium opens for seating
1:45pm - Act 1 dancers report backstage
2:00pm - curtain goes up - Woohoo!
2:45pm - Act 2 dancers report backstage
4:30pm - curtain down, dancers (if leaving the building) return costumes - dressing room left tidy


Thanks for all the work and preparation thus far everyone. Another post will follow shortly regarding photos, DVDs and cast party information. Thanks!






Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Rehearsal schedule update

We're getting closer to show time! Here are some rehearsal updates

Friday Nov 20th is all snow dancers from 6:30-8:00
Saturday Nov 21st is a full run through. All dancers plan on being there 12:00-3:00 and we will dismiss groups as they finish.
Friday Nov 27th - no rehearsal. Recuperate from your Thanksgiving feasting :)
Saturday Nov 28th is our last full run through before we move rehearsals to the stage. Everyone needs to be to this one please!

Times for tech and dress rehearsals will be announced this saturday.

Also, a big thank you to those who participated in the Family Gift Show performance. It was great to see some of our Nutcracker numbers on stage. We hope it got you excited for our performace!

If you have any questions you may contact Paige at any time by texting or calling (801)577-1564

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Spread the Word

Our posters are ready and we can't wait to spread the word about the show!
Dancers will receive one poster each to post around town and I'll be contacting our publicity volunteer group shortly as well. Meanwhile, please feel free to share our poster digitally.


Sunday, November 8, 2015

TBA REHEASALS SCHEDULED

Friday Nov, 13th
6:30-7:15 = snow queen & snow cavalier
6:30-7:30 = waltz of the flowers
     
Saturday Nov, 14th
12:00-2:00 = Act 1
12:45-3:00 = Act 2

Friday Nov, 20th
6:30-8:30 = TBA

Saturday Nov, 21st
12:00-3:00 = Full run through
   (dancers need to be there for the full time as we will rehearse individual numbers in vacant rooms)


*all understudies/subs must also attend rehearsals for their roles

Monday, October 26, 2015

Photo Shoot Schedule

Our photo shoot is coming up and we can't wait to see everyone in full costume!
The schedule is below. Please be on time and have your make up and hair done. We have a narrow window of time in the photo studio and want to make the most of it.

Female dancers need to wear pink ballet tights, pink ballet slippers/pointe shoes and a nude leotard under their costumes. Soldiers wear black jazz shoes.
Male dancers please wear a fitted white shirt and black jazz shoes. Also bring long black socks.
Follow the links below for instructions on hair & make-up.

General Picture taking rules:

Dancers must come at their assigned time in order to have time to put on their costume and be ready for pictures. 

Please come with hair and make-up done.   This is a great opportunity to practice performance hair and makeup!  Lipstick should be applied after you are in costume, and removed before you take it off.

Remember soldiers should be wearing black shoes.

Meet at C&C for costumes, then we will go to the photography studio.

Please come in your nude leotard.  We do not have enough changing rooms to accommodate everyone.  


Dancing Bras only (if needed).  We do not want to see your bra.  Don’t try to hide it.  We can still see it.  Use a dancer’s bra.
No Jewelry.  This means earrings, rings, bracelets, necklaces, etc. 
No Fingernail polish! (if you have it on your toes that’s okay)

Remember you may not eat or drink in your costume.


NUTCRACKER PHOTO SHOOT
Friday, November 6th
Edge Photography






Arrival



3:50 Artistic Director


4:00 Party Girls/Boys (including Clara)


4:15 Soldiers


4:30 Mice/Mouse King


4:45 Madame Ginger/Buffoons


5:00 Waltz


5:15 Snow/Snow Queen/ Snow Cavaleir


5:30 Doll/Mirliton/Arabian


5:45 Chinese/Spanish/Russian


6:00 Clara/Nutcracker


6:15 Sugar Plum Fairy/Cavaleir











Please come with your hair and make-up ready!
You will only have time to change into your costume!







 

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Rehearsal October 23rd

I hope everyone had a nice break last week. We're jumping back into Nutcracker business full-swing. The October 23rd rehearsal was scheduled as TBA and we now have scheduled our groups.

Friday, October 23rd:
6:15-7:00pm  Mirliton
7:00-7:45pm  Arabian
7:45-8:30pm   Russian

Please also remember that the last day to pay the $65 rental/performance fee is this Saturday, October 24th. 

Picture day is November 6th. Group times will be posted here on October 23rd. A printed schedule will also be available at rehearsal on Sat the 24th.

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Costume Fitting Schedule

We will be holding costume fittings at rehearsals this Friday and Saturday. We do not want to use valuable rehearsal time so dancers will need to come a little earlier or stay a little later. The schedule is below. Thank you for your cooperation. See you soon :)


Friday - Oct 9th
6:00pm - Spanish, Chinese, Mirliton, Arabian
7:30pm - Snow
* Buffoons will be fitted during rehearsal
* Russian costumes are not ready for fittings yet

Saturday - Oct 10th
12:30pm - Party girls, Party boys, Party parents
1:00pm - Soldiers, Mice
1:30 - Waltz Flowers

Any dancers being absent these days will need to come for their fitting on Oct 23rd at 6:00pm.
Thank you.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Additional Performance

Hello dancers & parents,
After much consideration and careful deliberation the Board of Directors at South Pointe Ballet have decided to add a matinee performance to this years Nutcracker. It will be on Saturday, December 5th at 2pm. We feel this will give the dancers additional performance experience as well as give their friends and families more opportunity to watch and support the dancers. After calculating ticket sales from 2014 and reviewing the seating capacity of the venue, we also feel a matinee will give the audience a more comfortable view of the performance
Please put the new performance time on your calendars. Call times (when the dancers need to check in at the dressing room) and curtain times (when the show actually begins) are listed below. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Evening Performances Dec 3rd, 4th & 5th
Call Time Act I - 6:00pm
Call Time Act II - 6:45pm
Curtain - 7:00pm
Matinee Performance Dec 5th
Call Time Act I - 1:00pm
Call Time Act II - 1:45pm
Curtain - 2:00pm
**All understudies will perform their main role in the matinee performance

Questions/concerns should be directed to Paige Miller
www.southpointeballet@gmail.com
(801)577-1564

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Parent Meeting Notes


This will be a long post as it contains all the information discussed at the parent meeting. This info has also been emailed to you as a word document. Please review it carefully even if you attended the meeting as more details have been included. Also look for another email in the next few days with volunteer opportunities and assignments. Thank you, as always for your support.

MEETING NOTES:
The following are notes from the parent meeting as well as some additional information that has surfaced since, so please read this carefully even if you were in attendance Friday. Thank you.
Production staff and support staff:
Angela Curtis is the Artistic Director. She is in charge of what happens on the stage. She, along with her choreography staff, will instruct the dancers and cast roles that best fit the needs of the production.
Paige Miller is the production Manager. It is her job to keep things running smoothly behind the scenes. She coordinates the day-to-day business needs of South Pointe Ballet and will head-up all volunteer committees. It is her job to take the busy-work off of Angela’s plate so she can concentrate on delivering a professional ballet. If you have concerns, questions or need information please contact Paige first!
Stephanie Soper is the Treasurer. It is her job to collect all fees from participants and keep the production on budget. She will handle all finances for South Pointe Ballet and serve as chairperson of the ticket sales volunteer group.
Sandi Rogers is our costume director. She will serve as chairperson of the costume management and dressing room committees and will work closely with seamstress volunteers to ensure all the director’s costuming needs are fulfilled.
Sacha Cook is out scenery director. She will serve as chairperson of the set design/construction and backstage volunteer committees. She will need a lot of help with this undertaking and more volunteers are needed (especially people that can work with tools and lift heavier pieces of scenery). If there are any fathers, uncles or adult brothers of cast members that can assist please let Paige know so she can get you in touch with Sacha.

Volunteer Opportunities:
As stated on the registration form we are requiring all parents to fulfill 4 hours minimum of volunteer work on this production. You play a very important role in helping things run smoothly, on time and on budget. Thank you in advance for being an active part of your child’s performing experience. Volunteer sign-up sheets were available at the meeting and spaces are still available to help with every aspect of the show. Look for an email later this week detailing our needs and please fill as many spots as you can. Thank you. This show will be a great success if we pull together to show our kids our support by helping out.

Important Dates:
Picture Day is mandatory. Purchasing pictures is optional. Even if you choose not to purchase photos ALL DANCERS must be to the photo shoot. These will be the photos for the program and may be used for other publicity purposes (blog and future advertisements) so we want all our dancers to be a part of it. Pictures are scheduled for Friday, Nov 6th. Group times will be sent 2 weeks prior but our session will begin at 4:00 and will wrap up by 7:00pm so clear your calendar now. Photo order forms will also be available 2 weeks prior to the photo session.
Every rehearsal counts! Dancers are strongly encouraged to give 100% attendance but we realize this is not always possible. Dancers are allowed only 3 absences. Please notify the production manager in advance of any absences you are aware of. There are however, mandatory dates that may not be missed. Dec. 1st-5th are mandatory!!! Dec 1st is tech rehearsal, Dec 2nd is dress rehearsal and Dec3rd, 4th & 5th are performances. This is the week we have been working for all season so please DO NOT miss these dates. Dancers will be required to be at the performance venue (Elk Ridge Middle School) by 5:00pm and must be ready to dance. Please leave yourself plenty of time to park, come into the building and get situated in the dressing room before rehearsal begins at 5:00 on the 1st & 2nd. Call times will be posted for performance evenings 2 weeks prior to the show. Again, only 3 rehearsals may be missed. Any dancers missing more than that will be removed from the production (fees are non-refundable).
TBA Rehearsals:
There are some dates on the rehearsal schedule listed as TBA. These are dates the director has set aside for cleaning and perfecting dance numbers. Please keep these dates open as the groups needing to attend will be chosen on a need-to-see basis. These dates include: Fri. Oct 23rd, Fri. Nov 6th and the week of Nov 13th-21st. Complete production run-throughs will be held on Sat, Nov 7th & Sat, Nov 28th. It is STRONGLY advised that these rehearsals not be missed!!! There will not be rehearsals held on Oct 16th, 17th or 31st to allow families to enjoy UEA and Halloween together.
Rehearsal Group Clarifications:
Party Scene = Party girls, party boys & party parents
Fight Scene = Soldiers, Mice, Clara & Nutcracker Prince

We are still looking for parent volunteers to fill the role of party parents in the production (both men & women). Please notify Paige Miller if you are able to fill this role. It is in the beginning of the first act and requires very little dance experience but basic rhythm and coordination is a plus. If you have questions about this please contact Paige (contact info below). Thanks!

Fees Due ASAP:
The $65 rental/performance fee is DUE NOW! Please make checks payable to South Pointe Ballet. It takes a lot of funding to put on a ballet at this level. As a company we have deposit deadlines to meet to secure the theater, costumes, scenery and publicity to fund as well. The absolute last day payment will be accepted is Oct 24th. Dancers who have not paid by this date will not be allowed to perform. For those of you who have participated in the past there has been a requirement to sell ad space in the program. That will not be done this year. We are instead requiring each dancer to display at least one production poster in a public area to assist in advertising the show (library, rec center, grocery store, school, etc.)

TICKETS:
Each dancer will receive 2 complimentary tickets to the production. These are to be used at your discretion for any one performance. You may use them yourself or give them to family or friends. These will be given out at dress rehearsal and are the only free tickets the dancers will receive. If parents want to watch more than one performance they will need to purchase additional tickets.
Group tickets will be sold at a discounted rate for the dress rehearsal only. If you know of a church group or special interest group that would like to attend our dress rehearsal, their tickets can be purchased for $1 per person. Please inform them that as a dress rehearsal the performance may be stopped intermittently for corrections or technical issues and will likely not run from start to finish uninterrupted.

Cast Party:
After putting in so much effort and work into the production we should definitely celebrate after closing night. We’d like to get your opinion on what kind of cast party you would be interested in having. In the past the cast and their parents have been invited to gather at the local Village Inn and pay their own bills allowing everyone to decide on their own whether to participate/eat. Another option we’d like to suggest this year is to possibly gather somewhere and have an actual buffet set up for the cast and parents to enjoy. This, of course, would incur some cost and so food tickets would be offered for a small fee that would need to be paid in advance but would be optional. Or a potluck-style dessert buffet would be another option that would not require addition fees.
You may voice your opinion on a party option by emailing southpointeballet@gmail.com with cast party in the subject line. Thank you for your input. We want to make this a fun and memorable experience for everyone.

Thank you again for all your support. We are excited to continue the grand tradition of The Nutcracker. With your help it will be an event to remember!

Please contact Paige Miller with any questions, concerns or suggestions.
Texting is best as I can usually reply to you more rapidly. If I do not have an answer for you immediately please know I will do my best to get information to you as quickly as possible. Thanks

Paige Miller
(801)577-1564
southpointeballet@gmail.com (please put Nutcracker or NC in the subject line)

Friday, September 18, 2015

Parent meeting time change

Due to a scheduling conflict at C&C Ballet the parent meeting being held on Friday, Sept. 18th will begin at 6:30pm instead of 6:00. Parents are encouraged to still arrive at 6:00 to pay the $65 rental/performance fee before the meeting begins. This may be taken care of in the lobby area at the C&C Studios. If you are paying by check please have it written out to South Pointe Ballet with the dancer's name in the comment line. The green room will be available at 6:15 and we will begin the meeting promptly at 6:30. Thank you for your patience with this time change. We look forward to seeing you all Friday evening.

Also, dancers please be aware that snow dancers will have their first rehearsal Friday evening as well from 6:30-7:30. A large portion of choreography will be taught at that time so please come warmed up and ready to dance. Thank you. 

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE

Here is the rehearsal schedule for 2015 Nutcracker. Weekly updates and any changes to the schedule will be posted on this blog so be sure to log in frequently to stay informed. Thanks again for your support of South Pointe Ballet. We look forward to seeing you all at rehearsals.



NUTCRACKER REHEARSAL SCHEDULE


Friday September 18, 2015                                         Saturday September 19, 2015
6:30-7:30         All Snow                                             12:00-1:00       Waltz of the Flowers
                                    1:00-1:30         Arabian
1:30-2:00         Spanish
2:00-2:30         Chinese
2:30-3:00         Buffoon
3:00-3:30         Mirliton

Friday September 25, 2015                                         Saturday September 26, 2015
6:30-7:30         All Snow, Waltz of Flowers               12:00-1:00 Waltz of Flower & Buffoon
7:30-8:30         Spanish, Chinese, Arabian,                 1:00-2:00Party Scene Boys/Girls
Mirliton, Russian                                 2:00-3:00Soldiers, Mice Clara Nutcracker Prince (Fight Scene)

Friday, October 2, 2015                                              Saturday, October 3, 2015
6:30-7:30         Dolls                                                    12:00-12:30 Arabian, Spanish,                                                                                                            Chinese, Mirliton, Buffoon Russian
12:30-1:30       Parents and Party Scene
1:30-2:30         Fight Scene

Friday, October 9, 2015                                              Saturday October 10, 2015
6:30-7:30         All Snow and 2nd act                           12:00-1:00        Fight Scene, Waltz of                                                                                                                                    Flowers          
1:00-2:00         Party Scene (all parents and children)
1:00-2:00         Act 2

October 16-17 No Rehearsals


Friday, October 23, 2015                                            Saturday October 24, 2015
6:30-7:30 TBA                                                            12:00-1:30 Party Scene / Fight Scene
                                                                                    1:30-3:00 Snow/Act 2
                                                                                   
Friday October 30, 2015                                             Saturday October 31, 2015
6:30-7:30 – All Soloists                                              No Rehearsal                                    


Friday November 6, 2015    TBA                               Saturday November 7, 2015
12:00-3:00 Complete Run Through

Rehearsals from November 13-21 TBA                     Saturday November 28 
                                                                                    12:00-2:00 Complete Run Through

ALL REHEARSALS are subject to change

The following dates are mandatory!!!
Tech rehearsal: Tuesday, Dec 1st 5:00-9:30pm
Dress rehearsal: Wednesday, Dec 2nd 5:00-9:30pm
Performance dates: Dec 3rd, 4th & 5th 5:00-9:30pm