Nutcracker Premiere

Happy Nutcracker Season! Yesterday, on Saturday evening, I had my first performance of the Nutcracker.  The premiere was on Friday, but I am on the B Cast, which alternates nights with the A cast.  Two of my favorite ballerinas were performing as Dew Drop and the Sugar Plum Fairy! Even though I was in the Nutcracker last year, I was still feeling a little nervous.

Inky Polichinelle 2010

During the performance, the child dancers wait in a special room below the stage. When we are called for our places, we take an elevator up the stairs. There are over 100 children in the Nutcracker! They dance in roles like party children, mice, soldiers, and sweets.  I am a polichinelle- one of the little elves who come out from under Mother Ginger's skirt.  Did you know Mother Ginger is actually played by a man? Our  Mother Ginger last night studied at the English National Ballet when he was little- pretty cool, right?

Inky Polichinelle 2010

Photos are not allowed in the theatre, so I had these photos of me taken on Lincoln Center Plaza. I felt so beautiful, like a prima ballerina.  There were people walking around the plaza and some of them smiled at me as they passed.

Inky Polichinelle 2010

I love dancing on stage! I have a whole month of Nutcracker performances ahead of me, so I know the butterflies will go away after a while. I will dance every other day; December is a very busy month for me. Plus, I will still be taking my regular dance classes! That means that Violet will be going home soon. I'll really miss her, but I know we will meet again. That's what best friends are for.

Happy Nutcracker!

8 comments

  1. Happy Nutcracker, Inky! Your polichinelle costume really is exquisite - it's no wonder people were smiling at you when you were having photos taken. :)

    As for your performances, "break a leg!" Of course, that expression is still odd sounding to me, as commonplace as it is.

    Oh, Violet and I will get to see you perform, right?

    -Sophie

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  2. Inky, you DO look beautiful and like a prima ballerina! I am so happy for you. Enjoy the Nutcracker season.

    ~ Kiki

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  3. Inky, your costume is AWESOME, and I bet your performance was spectacular to see! I'm going to go see the Nutcracker with Laura and my dad soon; can't wait! We'll both be thinking of you!

    -Chelsea and Laura

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  4. I'm so happy for you, Inky! You work so hard and are such a dedicated ballet student. The polichinelle costume looks beautiful on you. I'm sorry that Violet has to leave, but I'm sure she'll miss her family if she doesn't get back home for the holidays.
    Best wishes, Hannah
    PS: Thanks for the comment on my blog, I enjoy Diego Rivera's work as well, it is lovely. I feel like he is commenting on his external world, while Frida is commenting on her internal world.

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  5. Beautiful costume, Inky! That is so exciting that performances have started! Break a leg!

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  6. You're such a pretty girl, Inky! I love your costumes!

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  7. You look confident and ready to dance! I hope some day your moms will bring you to Newport to see the Island Moving Company's production of the Nutrcacker. It's performed throughout one of the mansions! It's expensive and sells out quickly, but it sounds amazing!

    Susanna's guardian

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  8. i went last year but this year i was trapped in ohio. gahh! too bad, we could have gone together.

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