Parents often ask us what age is best to start taking children to ballet performances. We always recommend a child be able to sit for a movie before trying live dance performance, but sometimes there is more to consider. We want your child to share our love of dance from a young age well into adulthood. Here are some tips to make your young child’s first live dance experience successful.
1. SHARE THE STORY, BUT DON’T SPOIL THE MAGIC
Explain to your child that the beginning of The Nutcracker is real, but after Clara falls asleep, the rest is a dream, and sometimes dreams are beautiful, and sometimes dreams can be really strange, and even scary. Indeed, some moments of The Nutcracker can be confusing for young children, especially the battle scene, featuring the life-sized Nutcracker doll battling a Rat King with 5 heads!
Look online for video excerpts to help children have an idea what they might see on stage. We recommend going to the library and grabbing a Nutcracker story book or two to familiarize them with the plot. You can also bring them to our Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party, where they will hear the story and even meet some of the characters. (Insider tip: Miss Sparkles will be doing the reading on Sunday!)
But avoid showing them a DVD of the entire ballet. Let them experience the magic of the whole story for the first time live on the stage.
2. TICKET SELECTION
When purchasing tickets, avoid the temptation to sit really close to the stage. Especially for children, it is easier to see from a bit further back. Try to find an aisle seat. This helps with sight lines, as well as making an easy exit if your child needs to leave the theater.
3. THEATER ETIQUETTE
It is important to teach your children about how to behave in a theater setting in order to help them understand what is expected of them as an audience member and to avoid disturbing other patrons. While it is perfectly ok for children to react to what they are seeing onstage, talk to them about the importance of being quiet and courteous to those around them and the dancers on stage.
If you find your child is getting antsy during the performance, we recommend taking them to the atrium for a break from the action. Trying to force them to sit quietly can take away from their experience, as well as yours and the people around you. Remember, the important thing is to make a child’s first live ballet experience a positive one. Don’t be discouraged if they don’t make it all the way through.
4. PLAN AHEAD
It is a good idea to get to the theater at least 20 minutes before the performance begins. This gives your child an opportunity to settle in. Find your seats and look through the program with your child. You can read the synopsis to them to refresh their memory of the story before the performance begins. We also offer a special program just for children, which features an activity to do before the performance or at intermission.
Encourage your child to use the restroom before the performance begins as well, the first act is about an hour long, and the lines for restrooms can be long at intermission.
5. MAKE IT A LEARNING EXPERIENCE
There are many great resources online with Nutcracker games and activities. We are happy to send you some material as well, contact us for a copy of our Children’s Nutcracker Study Guide, filled with terminology, games, and worksheets to teach children about The Nutcracker.
6. ENJOY THE MUSIC
The music from The Nutcracker is a holiday staple in many households. Play them some of the more recognizable pieces at home, The Waltz of the Flowers, The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, and the Russian dance are some good examples. Your children will enjoy hearing songs they recognize during the performance.
We hope these tips will help to show your child the joy of live dance and make our favorite holiday tradition a favorite for your family, too.