Chloe's Nutcracker experience: The Dress Rehearsal

Finally...it was here.  We couldn't believe how fast time went by and finally the dress rehearsals and performances were here.  There were 2 dress rehearsals before the "real" performance.  The rehearsals were such long nights with all of the changes and suggestions that Clytie had for all of the dancers, in fact Chloe didn't get to bed before 1 a.m. on those 2 nights.  Luckily Chloe's first class teacher let her get away with coming in a bit late each day for school-it was necessary.  The pic above shows Chloe in her dress from some of the last scenes of the ballet.  

A quick pic by the large Christmas tree in the front lobby of the 

Browning Center.

 some better shots of one of the dresses that Chloe wore

 one proud Dad

 Here's one of the many cards that Kate made for Chloe...

 Chloe, Greta (Arabian dancer) & Emily (red soldier) after the dress rehearsal

Chloe, Sara (mouse) & Kate

Chloe's Nutcracker experience: The Practices

Well, I've given you the story leading up to Chloe getting the part of Clara in the Nutcracker.  Next are the LONG practices to learn everything which was no small task.  The great thing about Chloe is that she didn't mind the long practices at all, in fact, she looked forward to the all day Saturday practices each week.  

...learning the dance which takes place right at the beginning of the play when everyone comes over for the family Christmas party at Clara's house.  The blonde guy is Drosselmeyer whom Chloe just loved and looked up to so much.  He is a principal dancer with Ballet West.

Here's a great shot of Chloe and her "Clara" teacher-Leslie Christensen (one of Clytie's daughters)

Here's a pic of the "Nephew" helping Chloe twirl around

I absolutely love this picture of Chloe and her teacher.  I love how Leslie is looking at Chloe, almost as if she's saying "Good job Chloe, I'm really proud of you."

This was Chloe's favorite part of the play-where she leaps into Drosselmeyer's arms and he lifts and carries Chloe around for a minute.

Here's a note that Chloe's teacher gave her after getting the part of Clara:

Chloe,

Please know that you were chosen as Clara in our Nutcracker because you have something in the quality of who you are that includes your dancing abilities but is much more than that.  Hard to pinpoint but just a certain something that is magical and wonderful and comes across not only in the audition but in all other venues of your life.  Part of that certain something is to be teachable, to be able to fully involve yourself in what you give yourself to, to appreciate and be grateful for beauty and goodness, to be so attentive and soak in the whole experience.  These are things I see in you that will benefit  you and the people around you always.  You have given yourself to this and it is yours to cherish.  The memory will be forever.  The time and effort makes it yours to think of and smile about for all of your life.

thank you for who you are

Leslie Adams Christensen