It always makes me so happy (and a little emotional?) to see kids doing age appropriate choreography. Not only does it look amazing but I’m sure it makes them feel much more confident too
Katie, first, I wanted to take the time to say “thank you” for taking the time out of your holidays to create these videos! Also, I have always loved the music in this divertissement, and I think the kids that get chosen are great dancers for their age group! Thanks again for the amazing deconstruction! 🩰
That might be age appropriate choreography, but those kids nailed it. Definitely kudos to the people who prepare them for that part. I assume that the dancer on stilts is also having to support the full weight of that skirt? Even having the most lightweight construction possible, that thing has got to be insanely heavy & difficult to maneuver.
Those kids blew my socks off, because man o man that spacing 😮 💕 And the awareness not to bump into the stilts. To me Nutcracker=kids. Balanchine’s is my favorite because the kids are truly kids. No weird hard stuff that isn’t age appropriate. Happy Christmas to all that celebrate 🎄☃️
Pittsburgh ballet came to town the year I was 11 and cast local kids in all the kid parts except Marie, she travelled with the adults. My studio was chosen to dance this divert and I was just barely short enough to be one of the boys. If i had grown even half an inch, the costume wouldnt have fit me. My mother swears i willed myself not to grow that fall!! Because there was a chance i might grow out of it, I was cast as the swing and danced each spot over 5 shows. Our mother gigner was on a cart and there was another "bed boy" with a headset under there with us pushing the guy around on the stage. And, we didn't go back under the skirt at the end, we had a pose and ran off stage. Other than that, it was this exact choreography! We had so much fun that year!
Welcome to the flowers! I did when I was 14 "jump" into the "willow-three-pass-away" on stage the first time - in Humperdinck's Opera "Hänsel und Gretel", which is a Christmas classic over here, and since I just turned into eleven's class, I was not sure how to master it on group, and then they got a costume for me that was 5 years younger my size, so it was all fix-bandled with a lot of safety-pins and so on. I was a group, but growing out to my costume. Immediate now, there were little light bows on all the "lantern lights", and the electric wires were also pricked by needles. It took a long time to find out that, whenever you sit down, the wire of the element "plug" drips of to the wire, and so I happened to appear very often in the dark as "Ghostwriter like" - leading up to a group of three, but not so very often seen in the dark. Untill to they day that I was fitting out, exchanged on my batteries and feel it I was a Ghostwriter like they were... And then, hence, we discoverd that "sitting" on the back row near to the stage instructor/manager, I was sitting on the back raw for so long that the plug running the light bulbs on costume again falls out - this was connecting on us the time when we received the "on-and-off-button", so everything was not so fearfull and we worked on stage - or walked on stage. Merry Christmas and a Hapoy New Year, don't let anybody worry you - sun shines brighter and there will be a joyous hapoy time on all of us. See you, when my pinpricks are going out and / whether I would need a change of batteries.😂
Thank you for acknowledging that this children's role is THE dancing role. Dena Abergel said herself that this is the hardest role for a child to play because of the spacing and it's all of the basic petit and grand allegro that you learn as a student.
I can remember times when the Mother Ginger music was my favorite music in the Nutcracker and possibly my favorite piece of music in the world when I was really young. Not only is the music exciting, but also the visuals do seem to appeal to children more than other visuals. I guess in the Baryshnikov version, there were dancing clowns instead of a lady in a huge skirt. I guess clowns can have a certain appeal to children. When I saw a the San Francisco ballet as a kid, I remember the lady in the huge skirt being one of the Act II characters who stood out most and possibly my first time ever seeing the character Mother Ginger in any version. All previous versions I had seen before that had no Mother Ginger character with children under her skirt. One thing that definitely stands out about this particular version is the defiance of gender stereotypes among the polichinelles' clothes. I love how the costume design really defies the pink is for girls blue is for boys stereotype and switched it around by having the dresses be blue (I previously thought the ones in pants were boys until you said they were all girls). Having blue dresses and pink outfits with pants definitely works much better than if it were the other way around. Now that you pointed out that the ones in pants are girls, that can add to the gender stereotype defiance by breaking down the girls wear dresses boys wear pants stereotype. I can definitely think of times in my life where I prefer dresses over pants while liking blue more than pink.
Andrew Scordato is just as funny as William Otto was in the 1993 production! Bravo to all the dancers in this production! Happy Holidays to you and your family, Kathryn! 🎅🎄
IB Anderson who was a Principle with NYB before he became artistic director for Ballet Arizona had a rig created for Mother Ginger so the kids are standing on a platform on the bottom with their backs to the audience when they come on and the guy playing Mother Ginger is standing on top. Also Mother Ginger engages the audience in clapping during the dance. This is the signature image for IB Anderson's Nutcracker which is very similar to NYB's.
Pps what Kathy says falls we call it out "first degagé" (the first degagee that's not falling from the ankle but arrives on second "pas des bourré"). With convinient on rond-des-jambes sur par-terre it was IMPOSSIPLE to turn your arm (higher arm, lower arm, under arm) more higher thsn the knee, and the knee was collected to pas-des-chat, and pas des chats were connect from under the elbow-back-inside-turn - and the neck and the "whimse" (anky outside turns or lower knee subtile turns) were not into-turned into lower echappé.. It's a kind of "waltz on 4 elements" , so you can pick it slow and every returning to the lift, into halfway or half-accorded lifts "beyonds" or "shifts" this slow-mo ... In the end, it's ,(probably) a self-exercising. Very often premier show but not worked on "utilisée". The slow-back onto IV are great - but not "enormous".
There's a garland dance in Sleeping Beauty? Is she on somnambula or what? My own garland disappeared with the awakening on "beauty ", same as it was not resolved in other place, like for angers out "la bohème", but also like in "macbetto". Is there a garland line in all victorian pieces? I know that Wagner opening had sometimes such a stich - probably made by an "eara" or connecting / or collecting time. Happy holidays and good Christmas. 🐒🦃🦆
Same. We were not the level of dancers in this production. One of the small ballet company's in our state gave local dance studios the opportunity to have students in the Nutcracker when it performed in their town. We were called marshmallows. Our Mother Ginger did not have stilts so we were in a squat position on our tip toes and fingers touching the floor. we basically bourreed in that position. We forward rolled out from under the skirt in pairs. Our dancing including balancees and skipping in a circle with partner marshmallows as well as cartwheels in a big circle. We also had a rogue marshmallow who did not want to return with the rest of us to Mother Ginger. She was played by the smallest (cutest and probably strongest) dancer who did sissones in the front of the stage while blowing kisses. I still remember who played that part - the same dancer both years we performed. That was almost 40 years ago; the experience clearly made an impression. We were never going to become professional dancers so the stage experience was so special.
Super thing this on holy eve me make more interrest in "mother Ginger" than to enjoy the evening - is this "mr. George Balanchine " or is it a tribute to Him - as a choreographer - or tribute out on Balanshivadse, who would even in the holiday *hanging out - work to it "like Ginger"... Or work it away "still walking on Ginger"
Hi Katie, would love some insight on what this divert actually is and where it comes from lol. Was it literally Balanchine going: for this part we need a guy in a dress and eight children? Or is it historical?
got a little weepy here admittedly. I really appreciate how you spoke about the 'littles' with respect to their amazing abilities, but also respect to just how much is expected from them and how that is not necessarily a pressure put upon children this age in other 'industries'. Still, acknowledging they are nailing it nevertheless! Its weird to have a 'previous life' of sorts as a "triple threat" (read: too busy) stage kid who did nothing but interact with adults, to now being an adult who does not perform and chooses to not interact with kids because I view it as DIFFICULT to do it correctly! To be mindful of their immense capabilities, while balancing their objective inexperience and immaturity, all without demeaning or damaging them in any way, TOUGH! So props and respect to you and the mindset exhibited here by your words, it feels healthy, and that is EVERYTHING from a peer/educator to a child imo.
It's hard to tell because they are constantly in movement, but do the pink pollies have slightly stuffed costumes in the front and back to give their bellies/backs a rounded look? I had never noticed that before but I think theres definitely something there? Any info? Ill check back in that recent costuming video, but I don't remember it being mentioned, now I am curious! Adorable, regardless!
It always makes me so happy (and a little emotional?) to see kids doing age appropriate choreography. Not only does it look amazing but I’m sure it makes them feel much more confident too
Katie, first, I wanted to take the time to say “thank you” for taking the time out of your holidays to create these videos! Also, I have always loved the music in this divertissement, and I think the kids that get chosen are great dancers for their age group! Thanks again for the amazing deconstruction! 🩰
Awww it’s my pleasure!
Mother Ginger, as she exits, saying “Oh Stop, Oh Stop”
That might be age appropriate choreography, but those kids nailed it. Definitely kudos to the people who prepare them for that part.
I assume that the dancer on stilts is also having to support the full weight of that skirt? Even having the most lightweight construction possible, that thing has got to be insanely heavy & difficult to maneuver.
Those kids blew my socks off, because man o man that spacing 😮 💕 And the awareness not to bump into the stilts.
To me Nutcracker=kids. Balanchine’s is my favorite because the kids are truly kids. No weird hard stuff that isn’t age appropriate.
Happy Christmas to all that celebrate 🎄☃️
Yes to this!!!
Merry Christmas!
This dance will always hold a special place in my heart. It was my first part in the Nutcracker back in the 90’s when I still danced.
Pittsburgh ballet came to town the year I was 11 and cast local kids in all the kid parts except Marie, she travelled with the adults. My studio was chosen to dance this divert and I was just barely short enough to be one of the boys. If i had grown even half an inch, the costume wouldnt have fit me. My mother swears i willed myself not to grow that fall!!
Because there was a chance i might grow out of it, I was cast as the swing and danced each spot over 5 shows. Our mother gigner was on a cart and there was another "bed boy" with a headset under there with us pushing the guy around on the stage. And, we didn't go back under the skirt at the end, we had a pose and ran off stage. Other than that, it was this exact choreography! We had so much fun that year!
Welcome to the flowers! I did when I was 14 "jump" into the "willow-three-pass-away" on stage the first time - in Humperdinck's Opera "Hänsel und Gretel", which is a Christmas classic over here, and since I just turned into eleven's class, I was not sure how to master it on group, and then they got a costume for me that was 5 years younger my size, so it was all fix-bandled with a lot of safety-pins and so on. I was a group, but growing out to my costume.
Immediate now, there were little light bows on all the "lantern lights", and the electric wires were also pricked by needles.
It took a long time to find out that, whenever you sit down, the wire of the element "plug" drips of to the wire, and so I happened to appear very often in the dark as "Ghostwriter like" - leading up to a group of three, but not so very often seen in the dark. Untill to they day that I was fitting out, exchanged on my batteries and feel it I was a Ghostwriter like they were...
And then, hence, we discoverd that "sitting" on the back row near to the stage instructor/manager, I was sitting on the back raw for so long that the plug running the light bulbs on costume again falls out - this was connecting on us the time when we received the "on-and-off-button", so everything was not so fearfull and we worked on stage - or walked on stage.
Merry Christmas and a Hapoy New Year, don't let anybody worry you - sun shines brighter and there will be a joyous hapoy time on all of us.
See you, when my pinpricks are going out and / whether I would need a change of batteries.😂
Thank you for acknowledging that this children's role is THE dancing role. Dena Abergel said herself that this is the hardest role for a child to play because of the spacing and it's all of the basic petit and grand allegro that you learn as a student.
I love this series so much! ❤
Thank you for the daily uploads and merry christmas to you, Chris and Finn 🩷
Mother Ginger and the Duchess from Wheeldons Alice are fantastic ❤
I can’t wait to se the last one Im sure everybody loves this as i do ❤
I can remember times when the Mother Ginger music was my favorite music in the Nutcracker and possibly my favorite piece of music in the world when I was really young. Not only is the music exciting, but also the visuals do seem to appeal to children more than other visuals. I guess in the Baryshnikov version, there were dancing clowns instead of a lady in a huge skirt. I guess clowns can have a certain appeal to children. When I saw a the San Francisco ballet as a kid, I remember the lady in the huge skirt being one of the Act II characters who stood out most and possibly my first time ever seeing the character Mother Ginger in any version. All previous versions I had seen before that had no Mother Ginger character with children under her skirt.
One thing that definitely stands out about this particular version is the defiance of gender stereotypes among the polichinelles' clothes. I love how the costume design really defies the pink is for girls blue is for boys stereotype and switched it around by having the dresses be blue (I previously thought the ones in pants were boys until you said they were all girls). Having blue dresses and pink outfits with pants definitely works much better than if it were the other way around. Now that you pointed out that the ones in pants are girls, that can add to the gender stereotype defiance by breaking down the girls wear dresses boys wear pants stereotype. I can definitely think of times in my life where I prefer dresses over pants while liking blue more than pink.
Great deconstruction! Thanks Katie!
Andrew Scordato is just as funny as William Otto was in the 1993 production! Bravo to all the dancers in this production!
Happy Holidays to you and your family, Kathryn! 🎅🎄
IB Anderson who was a Principle with NYB before he became artistic director for Ballet Arizona had a rig created for Mother Ginger so the kids are standing on a platform on the bottom with their backs to the audience when they come on and the guy playing Mother Ginger is standing on top. Also Mother Ginger engages the audience in clapping during the dance. This is the signature image for IB Anderson's Nutcracker which is very similar to NYB's.
Pps what Kathy says falls we call it out "first degagé" (the first degagee that's not falling from the ankle but arrives on second "pas des bourré").
With convinient on rond-des-jambes sur par-terre it was IMPOSSIPLE to turn your arm (higher arm, lower arm, under arm) more higher thsn the knee, and the knee was collected to pas-des-chat, and pas des chats were connect from under the elbow-back-inside-turn - and the neck and the "whimse" (anky outside turns or lower knee subtile turns) were not into-turned into lower echappé..
It's a kind of "waltz on 4 elements" , so you can pick it slow and every returning to the lift, into halfway or half-accorded lifts "beyonds" or "shifts" this slow-mo ...
In the end, it's ,(probably) a self-exercising. Very often premier show but not worked on "utilisée".
The slow-back onto IV are great - but not "enormous".
Can you do the Garland Dance from Sleeping Beauty really love the kids choreography and would be interested in more this made my Christmas
There's a garland dance in Sleeping Beauty? Is she on somnambula or what? My own garland disappeared with the awakening on "beauty ", same as it was not resolved in other place, like for angers out "la bohème", but also like in "macbetto".
Is there a garland line in all victorian pieces?
I know that Wagner opening had sometimes such a stich - probably made by an "eara" or connecting / or collecting time.
Happy holidays and good Christmas. 🐒🦃🦆
This one is nostalgic to me ❤
I've danced it before when I was younger and remember having so much fun with skirt bit 😂
Same. We were not the level of dancers in this production. One of the small ballet company's in our state gave local dance studios the opportunity to have students in the Nutcracker when it performed in their town. We were called marshmallows. Our Mother Ginger did not have stilts so we were in a squat position on our tip toes and fingers touching the floor. we basically bourreed in that position. We forward rolled out from under the skirt in pairs. Our dancing including balancees and skipping in a circle with partner marshmallows as well as cartwheels in a big circle. We also had a rogue marshmallow who did not want to return with the rest of us to Mother Ginger. She was played by the smallest (cutest and probably strongest) dancer who did sissones in the front of the stage while blowing kisses. I still remember who played that part - the same dancer both years we performed. That was almost 40 years ago; the experience clearly made an impression. We were never going to become professional dancers so the stage experience was so special.
Super thing this on holy eve me make more interrest in "mother Ginger" than to enjoy the evening - is this "mr. George Balanchine " or is it a tribute to Him - as a choreographer - or tribute out on Balanshivadse, who would even in the holiday *hanging out - work to it "like Ginger"...
Or work it away "still walking on Ginger"
Hi Katie, would love some insight on what this divert actually is and where it comes from lol. Was it literally Balanchine going: for this part we need a guy in a dress and eight children? Or is it historical?
Hello, are you here?
Katie ❤❤❤❤❤❤ 😊
How are you guys? I just came back from a performance of the nutcracker
This year they started have boys do the pink/boy parts
Oh really? I had no idea!
got a little weepy here admittedly. I really appreciate how you spoke about the 'littles' with respect to their amazing abilities, but also respect to just how much is expected from them and how that is not necessarily a pressure put upon children this age in other 'industries'. Still, acknowledging they are nailing it nevertheless! Its weird to have a 'previous life' of sorts as a "triple threat" (read: too busy) stage kid who did nothing but interact with adults, to now being an adult who does not perform and chooses to not interact with kids because I view it as DIFFICULT to do it correctly! To be mindful of their immense capabilities, while balancing their objective inexperience and immaturity, all without demeaning or damaging them in any way, TOUGH! So props and respect to you and the mindset exhibited here by your words, it feels healthy, and that is EVERYTHING from a peer/educator to a child imo.
It's hard to tell because they are constantly in movement, but do the pink pollies have slightly stuffed costumes in the front and back to give their bellies/backs a rounded look? I had never noticed that before but I think theres definitely something there? Any info? Ill check back in that recent costuming video, but I don't remember it being mentioned, now I am curious! Adorable, regardless!