Nutcracker Information for Hair & Make-up

The following information is provided so that all dancers performing in The Nutcracker will have a uniform appearance. Please have all your necessary items ready ahead of time, as they will need to be worn to the Dress Rehearsal on November 20th at the theatre. Full make up and hair, as described, will be expected at the Dress Rehearsal. It is mandatory that each performer does not eat or drink (except water) while in costume. Please do not sit on the floor while in costume.

Party Scene

PARTY GIRLS may do their hair in several ways. If hair is short, please wear it down with the matching bow or headpiece. Longer hair must be French braided or done in ringlets.
Stage make up must be one shade darker than your natural skin tone so that the lights do not "wash" you out. Eye shadow may be a light brown or natural color. NO blues or greens, please. Eyeliner may be used across the upper eyelid. NO "wings" for the younger girls. NO false eyelashes on the party girls, just a coat or two of mascara.
Lipstick should be soft, reddish-brown as well as the blush. NO bright red on the younger children please.
Absolutely no jewelry of any kind!! Please remove all stud earrings, rings, necklaces, watches and bracelets. If ears have been newly pierced, please cover the studs with small round band-aids.
Tights must be clean, and run-free, with no holes. They may be seamed, or un-seamed, in regular ballet pink. Recommended Capezio #C18C, ballet pink.
Clean, pink ballet flats in either leather or canvas.
PARTY PARENTS: Hair will be in a neat bun, slicked back. Curls will be provided to the women. Black, knee-high tights will be provided for under the skirts. Make up needs to be a shade darker than usual so that the lights do not wash you out. Remember to do your make up with a very heavy hand so that audience will be able to see your features clearly.
PARTY BOYS: Wear light make up that is neutral in color with hair pulled back in a bun. After party, replace neutrals with darker colors for other parts.
DOLLS: Regular make up with red cheeks. Hair in a bun.

Soldiers

No jewelry of any kind allowed. Please remove all studs, necklaces, rings, etc.
Makeup will be the lighter colors as mentioned above in party scene. Please have hair in a bun with all bangs slicked back and sprayed or pinned.
Black jazz shoes. If you have been fitted for shoes, Ballet Frontier will provide you with shoes. If you have your own, please bring them.

Mice

No jewelry of any kind allowed.
Make up will be the same lighter shades, as the mice will be wearing a mask or hat on top of their heads.
Please secure a tight bun with all hair slicked back and sprayed and pinned into place.

Snow/ Spanish/ Arabian/ Chinese/ Russian/ Shepherdess/ Flowers

All girls will need to have a NEW pair of pink tights. They must be seamed down the back and they must be Ballet Pink only. Capezio C18 or Danskin NYCB are the ones recommended. Please have an extra pair of tights in case the first ones develop a run or hole.
All girls will need to have stage makeup on including the following:
False eyelashes with black eyeliner on the top and bottom. Do not encircle and close in the eyes, but draw the traditional "wings" outward. Shadow must be neutral and brown. No green or blue. Lipstick will be a darker red or red/brown color.
Earrings of a round CZ/diamond nature must be purchased for snow. These may be purchased anywhere as long as they are round and of the same size as mentioned.
Hair must be in a high bun with no part showing and all bangs must be slicked back and sprayed or pinned.
Pointe shoes must be clean, like new and performance ready. Please pancake your shoes, recommended Max Factor #121, or similar, no stick foundation. All ribbons need to be tucked in and sewn for the performance!!

Angels/ Bon Bon

Same make-up as in Party Girls:

Hair must be done in a tight bun in the middle of the head, with bangs pulled back and secured with hair pins and hair spray.
Stage make up must be one shade darker than your natural skin tone so that the lights do not "wash" you out. Eye shadow may be a light brown or natural color. NO blues or greens, please. Eyeliner may be used across the upper eyelid. NO "wings" for the younger girls. No false eyelashes on the party girls, just a coat or two of mascara.
Lipstick should be soft, reddish-brown as well as the blush. No bright red on the younger children please.
Absolutely no jewelry of any kind!! Please remove all stud earrings, rings, necklaces, watches and bracelets. If ears have been newly pierced, please cover the studs with small round band-aids.
Tights must be clean, and run-free, with no holes. They may be seamed, or un-seamed, in regular ballet pink. Recommended Capezio #C18C, ballet pink.
Clean, pink ballet flats in either leather or canvas.