the nutcracker 2026
Location:
Theater at St Jean, 150 E 76th St, New York, NY 10021
Hair & Make Up
Students should come with hair and makeup already done. Hair for all dancers except party children should be pulled back in a ballet bun (see video tutorial below). Make sure to pack extra hair gel/spray, hairpins, and hairnet. Girls in the Party Scene should wear their hair in a half ponytail, ideally curled in “banana curls”.
For makeup, students should wear light eye makeup (neutral eyeshadows, mascara optional); blush; and neutral (e.g. pink) lipstick Click here for ballet bun tutorial
COSTUMES
Pre Ballet and Ballet 1 students should arrive to the theater in street clothes over their usual ballet uniform. Ballet 2-5 students should bring a nude leotard as well as their usual uniform. Write down the student’s name in leotard and shoes.
We will be bringing all costumes to the theater. Following the performance students should return to the dressing room to change into their own clothes and return the costumes.
Please don’t forget clean pink tights and ballet slippers!
Make sure to pack extra hairpins/bobbypins.
Theatre Rules
No drinks and food inside the theater! (We get fined if the theater staff sees anyone eating/drinking inside the auditorium so please only eat in the lobby)
Regarding check in/check out: Please be patient and wait to check your child in/out with a staff member (through the big dressing room all the way to the left when you enter). For the kids’ safety and to help everything run smoothly this is very important.
TECH REHEARSAL AT THEATER: FRIDAY, January 9
No Pre Ballet
Ballet 1 (Saturdays rehearsal class) 5:30-6:00pm
Ballet 1 (Wednesday rehearsal class) 6:00-7:00pm
Ballet 2 5:30-7:00pm
Ballet 3A and 3B 6:00-8:15pm (Jocelyn and Madison arrive at 5:30pm)
Ballet 4 and 5 5:30-9pm (We will do our best to finish earlier than 9pm)
Adult Performance Class 9:00-9:30pm
Party Parents 6:00-7:30pm
Students should wear class uniform, we recommend to bring a sweater in case the theater is cold. Please don’t forget clean pink tights and ballet slippers! Write down the student’s name in all of their belongings
Don’t forget water and a snack (make sure to tell your child not to eat in the auditorium; they will have a snack break in the dressing rooms)
PERFORMANCE A: saturday january 10 AT 12:00 noon (please see call times below)
All Ballet 2, Ballet 3A, Ballet 3B, Ballet 4, Ballet 5 students
All Party Parents
All Adult Students
Pre Ballet Thursday students
Pre Ballet Friday students
Ballet 1 Wednesday rehearsal class students
CALL TIME:
Ballet 5: 10:00am
Ballet 4: 10:30am
Ballet 3A, Ballet 3B, Party Parents: 11:00am
Pre Ballet, Ballet 1, Ballet 2: 11:20am
Adult Students 11:30am
Ballet 2, Ballet 3, Ballet 4, Ballet 5, Adult Students and Party Parents - stay after first show (pack lunch and water - no nuts please. Do not eat while wearing your costume!)
PERFORMANCE B: saturday January 10 AT 3:00PM (please see call times below)
All Ballet 2, Ballet 3A, Ballet 3B, Ballet 4, Ballet 5 students
All Party Parents
All Adult Students
Pre Ballet Sunday students
Ballet 1 Saturday rehearsal class students
CALL TIME:
Pre Ballet and Ballet 1 students: 2:20pm