Eleven more to go!
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ANNE MARIE MELENDEZ |
Well, plus a couple of school shows…. But “technically” over here at Ballet Austin, we have 11 more Nutcracker performances to go and that’s including the performance we had to add December 21st because tickets are selling so well. Tickets really are selling well, my parents are subscribers and recently received an e-mail about how this upcoming weekend is completely sold out, and it’s only Monday.
I think it surprises some of us how well we’re selling this year in spite of the warm weather. I actually wore a tank top to and from the theatre the other night. So whereas our ads may say “It’s Snowing on Congress”, it’s not exactly snowing in all of Austin. Here’s a shot of Congress, the street where the Paramount Theatre is, just a few blocks away from the capital building. Since my husband, Paul, didn’t have a busy schedule opening night I sent him outside to take some pictures.
The Marquee:
When I get some action shots of this years production I’ll post those, in the meantime, here’s some from behind the scenes:
Just before Company Class, which currently we’re taking regularly at our studios instead of onstage, just a few blocks away from the theatre because of the tighter conditions at the Paramount Theatre. Let me explain a bit more: We’re in a transitional state this year at Ballet Austin. Our beautiful new studios are up and running, and yes, there’s more than one bathroom! (More photos to come…) But our usual theatre, Bass Concert Hall is closed for renovations, and our new home, the Long Center will not be open until March or April. We perform at the Paramount for some of our concert series, but generally do our full length and story ballets at a larger venue that more easily accommodates sets, a full orchestra and has more dressing rooms. We’re in tight quarters at the Paramount but with the huge effort put in by our staff and I think particularly our wonderful Production Staff it has gone incredibly smoothly.
Here’s a couple of Beth in the early stages of putting on her doll makeup for the first time as Michelle coaches her. The doll makeup had to be slightly adapted this year. Michelle and Beth would usually trade off doing the Dresden Doll while the other did Party Mom into Snow Corps, but due to a couple of injuries early on, both girls have to do Snow Corps, so one of them always has a VERY quick change from doll into snow corps.
And of course as with any of us ladies who wear pointe shoes and have endured the wear and tear a long production run can put on your toes. Here’s a “portrait” of the sore toes of Ashley, Melissa and myself:
I have lots more to share that I’ll eventually get around to, lots of exciting things are going on over here! In the meantime, Happy Nutcrackering!
