Every Party Scene needs a doll or two right? Last night I decided to follow another friend, Michelle Thompson as she got ready for the roll. This year because of some necessary casting rearrangements both casts of girls that do doll have to do a quick change into the snow corps, leaving just about three minutes to make a mad dash from stage to dressing room, change costumes, pointe shoes, makeup and run back upstairs to their corresponding wing. How in the world in three minutes can you get all that done you ask? One word: Teamwork.

First, I followed Michelle through the steps to put on her doll makeup, starting with the white powder, giant false eyelashes (they’re easier to remove that drawing them on), drawn on eyebrows and lipstick.

Next comes the white “onesy” and bright red pointe shoes…

Here’s a photo of the full white onesy followed by Michelle getting into her costume…

From there Michelle heads upstairs to practice a few steps before curtain and then in the middle of Party Scene, prompted by our beloved Drosselmeyer performs her variation. This photo was taken by Tony Spielberg at one of our dress rehearsals…

Patiently waiting out Battle Scene, occasionally participating, eventually Michelle flies (literally) down the stairs and into the dressing room for her quick change, where she has lined up on the table everything she’ll need. Each girl that does doll generally has our dresser, Joan, as well as one of the dancers (this time, Gina) helping her. Occasionally one of us will dive down to untie her pointe shoes while everything else is going on (this time, Jaime). Each person knows their job. Michelle is removing the fingers from their little sleeves, Joan is undoing the costume, while Gina is removing doll makeup and Jaime is dealing with pointe shoes…remember time is of the essence!

From there Michelle magically appears onstage as though nothing has happened and joins the snow corps. Here’s one of the corps in another photo by Tony….

From there, depending on the cast, Michelle goes on to Act II. Sometimes it’s French (or Marzipan, Merlitons, depending on your version) and sometimes it’s Lead Waltz like before, again in a photo by Tony….

Luckily Michelle has what seems like limitless energy and appears completely unfazed by what she’s just gone through. I always wonder if anyone in the audience ever notices and thinks “Hey didn’t we just see that girl? Hey, didn’t we just see that girl? Hey…” (you get the idea…)

Again, all in a day’s work right!?!?

Thanks Michelle!