student matinees
Dear Educator,
Northern Plains Dance is pleased to invite you and your students to a spectacular student matinee performance of The Nutcracker, presented at the Belle Mehus Auditorium on Friday, December 8, 2023. This delightful stage production has particular appeal for the young and the young at heart.
Northern Plains Dance’s The Nutcracker Student Matinees are an excellent opportunity to introduce your students to classical ballet and to foster an appreciation of the arts. Excerpts from Northern Plains Dance’s annual production will be presented to elementary school children, featuring a conversation with Northern Plains Dance’s Director, Hollis Mackintosh Heid, about the story and history of The Nutcracker, dance vocabulary, theater etiquette and a chance to interact with the dancers on stage. The presentation allows students to view live ballet performance in a theater setting and shows how dance can be used to express many different concepts and feelings.
The Nutcracker Student Matinees are presented both in-person and virtually.
Student groups of any age and size are welcome to attend in person based on space availability. Reserve your seats early to ensure you don’t miss out.
“I just wanted to tell you how much my class and I loved The Nutcracker! The information you sent ahead of time was very helpful and my students knew everything to watch for in the production. We all want to see the entire show. We were very impressed!”
In person
Join us at the beautiful, historic Belle Mehus Auditorium for Student Matinees of The Nutcracker . Your students will experience live dance in a theater setting and even get a chance to join us on stage during the discussion.
Space is very limited, so be sure to reserve your spots early.
Students – suggested age 6 and older, this performance is open to GROUPS of students only at a rate of $3.50 per student.
Chaperones – Each group is required to provide one chaperone per ten students. This means a group of 1-10 students must have one chaperone, a group of 11-20 must have two, and so on. These required chaperones attend free of charge. Any additional chaperones you choose to bring over the required number will be admitted at a rate of $5.50 per person.
Livestream
Let us bring the magic of The Nutcracker right to your classroom! Northern Plains Dance is pleased to offer this new way of experiencing the Student Matinees for schools all over North Dakota and beyond.
Schools who attend via livestream will recieve the study guide and teaching materials just like our in-person audience.
For tips on livestream best practices, please click the button below.
NEW – CLASSROOM PRESENTATIONS
NPD’s 30-minute Classroom Presentation fits neatly into your day. Designed for 2nd graders for a more in-depth experience, the Classroom Presentation includes fun elements such as video excerpts, simple dance activities, real pointe shoes and ballet slippers, actual costumes from past productions, and a Q&A session during which your students can have all of their questions answered.
Content
The presentation will help students learn more about dance and ballet dancers, including the following topics:
- The History of Ballet
- Dancers as Artists & Athletes
- Dance Shoes
- Ballet Costumes
- The History, Music & Story of The Nutcracker
Details:
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Presentations will be given in the weeks prior to The Nutcracker Student Matinees.
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The school must provide a 30-minute time period for each presentation – this will allow the NPD staff member to complete the presentation and have time to answer questions.
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Equipment schools should provide for the Docent presentation on school campuses:
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A dedicated space for the presentation that minimizes outside distractions and noise
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A projector or large display for the presentation
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Speakers for the computer that will allow all students in the room to hear the audio portions of the presentation
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If speaking in a space larger than a classroom, a microphone may also be needed.
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Cost – For schools outside of the Bismarck Public School system, payment of $1.50 per student is required.
Travel– The cost of travel is included in the above price for school within a 15 mile radius of NPD’s studios in downtown Bismarck. School located between 15-35 miles away from the studios will be assessed an additional mileage fee. *Travel further than 35 miles will be considered based on scheduling, contact NPD for more information. 701.530.0986
frequently asked questions
Who can attend The Nutcracker Student Matinees?
The presentation is intended for elementary school aged children.
Does every person need a ticket?
While we do not have printed tickets for this event, all in attendance must pre-register and pre-pay. You will be checked in at the door. Each group is required to have one chaperone for every 10 students.
How do we get to the theater?
The Belle Mehus Auditorium is located at 201 N 6th St in downtown Bismarck, on the corner of 6th and Broadway. There is a designated area for buses to drop off students on Broadway. Buses are able to park at the Bismarck Event Center during the performances.
How soon do we need to reserve tickets?
The Nutcracker Student Matinees are very popular and sell out quickly. It is a good idea to reserve your space as soon as you know you would like to attend.
Can we choose our seats?
Seats are assigned according to the number of school groups attending each presentation. While you cannot specify a section, please let us know if you have any special needs, such as wheelchair access.
How do I pay?
You can pay online via credit card by filling out the secure form below.
How long does the presentation run?
The Student Matinees are about an hour long, including the performance and discussion. Allow extra time for travel/parking.
Can we take photos?
Absolutely no photography or videography of any kind are permitted at Northern Plains Dance productions.