Anjuli_Bai

It would seem to me that a photo would show how a child looks - but not how he/she moves. I've had students who could strike a marvelous pose (arabesque/attitude, etc.) - but moving through a dance sequence was quite another thing entirely.

Do we have two issues here? First: are we forever fated to have Nutcracker and more Nutcracker at this time of year or can other ballets become as popular as a holiday treat and also act as an introduction to ballet?

The second issue seems to be, unless I've totally misunderstood the above posts (not an uncomment event!), the full length story ballet vis a vis the mixed program in forwarding audience interest in ballet/dance.

On the first issue - AsNutcracker I understand it Nutcracker is not tied to Christmas in the land in which the ballet was born (Russia/USSR). However, it's theme as we know it is certainly tied to Christmas. The first act is a Christmas party, then a Christmas tree is usually the background for the soldier/mice battle....and on to the fantasy of the Sugar Plum Fairy, etc. All of that regardless of the desire for some to include some sort of psychodrama - is part of a Christmas theme. Thus, I think the ballet will remain a stalwart symbol of the season. It's a time to take a child out for a treat - maybe lunch in a restaurant and then a trip to that magical place - a theatre. If it works to raise revenue for a ballet company - why fight it?

For those of us who have been "crackered out" - well, it's only two weeks or so out of the year. And, the ballet's production can be manipulated to include (or not) many children. For many small companies with attached schools this is a wonderful opportunity to give students a stage experience with professional dancers.

As for the full length story ballet vs a mixed program - it is not only in the more provincial areas where the story ballet draws in a larger - and/or more dependable - audience. At the Orange County Performing Arts Center a touring company (which includes the biggest names in the world of ballet companies) presents mixed programs during the week nights but is required to present the full length story ballets on the weekends. The weekends are when most of the biggest supporters show up. OCPAC is not at all out in the provinces - it is the premiere dance venue (as well as other performing arts) in Southern California. A complex of several theatres, many hotels, malls, etc., in the midst of a very highly urbanized setting surrounded by millions of people.

Is it necessary to foster mixed programs? And, if so, why and how much?

It is still slightly less than 6 hrs from New Year's 2012 here. I wish everyone a happy, healthy and successful New Year!!

I, too, hope that this board is a success......but that is up to us isn't it? Bruce has surely done everything to make it so.

The last time there was a fund raising effort - I did participate - and would again.

In American dollars it came to something iike (if memory serves) $18.00.

Thank you, Bruce, for this lovely present! A Warm and Merry Christmas to everyone!

Thanks from me, too, Bruce for having this go forward. Hope everyone is having a warm and merry Christmas.