2019 Nutcracker Cast Chaperoning

Welcome to HPSD's Cast Chaperone Volunteer Sign-Up.

Cast Chaperone volunteers assist an assigned group of dancers in several points throughout the rehearsals and performances. They help with costume fittings, costume parades, dress/tech rehearsals, and backstage at performances to make sure their dancers are dressed in their costumes, have all the accessories and props they need, and are ready to go on stage. Volunteers in this role should be patient and enjoy working with children, as they will oversee their assigned group while they are not onstage or actively rehearsing, and remain offstage with them until all dancers have been picked up at the conclusion of the group's performance, rehearsal, or fitting. Volunteers will not be able to watch the performance(s) for which they volunteer, as they will be backstage with their assigned group.

Volunteers in this area are asked to commit to attending one costume parade , one tech rehearsal, one dress rehearsal (either in-studio or in theatre) and two shows for their group.  We ask for this commitment to ensure that volunteers are familiar and experienced with their assigned group's costume, choreography, and cast, and to ensure a positive, consistent experience for our young dancers.  If you are interested in volunteering as a cast chaperone but cannot commit to these shifts, please email Volunteer Coordinator, Mariana, who may be able to help you find a role that works with your availability ([email protected]). If you sign-up to volunteer after Wednesday, December 4th you will not be included in the Nutcracker program.

Below are additional details on each volunteer opportunity within this area.

COSTUME FITTINGS:

Costume Fitting volunteers (known as "fitters") assist our Wardrobe Supervisor and Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor in fitting our dancers. Specific duties may include helping our costume team prepare costumes for the fitting, assisting dancers in finding their costume/corresponding accessory pieces, helping dancers remain calm and patient during the fitting, supervising pick-up, and assisting our dancers and costume team in hanging the costumes back on the racks during the fittings. 
 

COSTUME PARADE:

Costume Parade volunteers (also known as "dressers") will assist our Wardrobe Supervisor and Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor and volunteer stichers in dressing our students for the upcoming production of The Nutcracker's costume parade, which will take place on November 15th and 16th. A costume parade is when dancers wear and dance in their costumes for the artistic team, costume staff and volunteers to determine if additional alternations or changes are needed before the dress rehearsals.
 

DRESS/TECH BACKSTAGE CHAPERONE:

Dress/Tech Backstage Chaperone volunteers (also known as "dressers") assist their group of dancers to make sure they are dressed in their costumes, have all the accessories and props they need, and are ready to go on stage. We encourage volunteers who volunteer in this role to attend their group costume fittings and volunteers are required to attend the costume parade.  HPSD's Nutcracker has both an in-studio dress rehearsals and dress/tech rehearsals at the theater the week preceeding the performances.

PERFORMANCES:

Duties for Backstage Chaperone volunteers (also knows as "dressers") during performances mirror those of the Dress/Tech Chaperone. Volunteers also help their assigned group remain calm and focused when they are not onstage. Volunteers in this role remain backstage with their group through the entire performance, and until all dancers in their group have been picked up after the performance. Only those who have signed up for this role will be allowed backstage during performances. Backstage volunteers will be noted by a special namebadge. During the performances volunteers must dress in all black without adornments (i.e. sequins, beading, etc.) and soft soled shoes during all performances. Loud audible jewelry (i.e. bangles, chains, etc.) are prohibited back stage.

OTHER VOLUNTEER OPTIONS:

Interested in other volunteer areas as well? There are a wide range of volunteer jobs available and one of which is sure to match your talents. Click on the tabs at the top of this page to navigate to our other 2019 Nutcracker volunteer options.

As a gesture of gratitude for helping us make this production a success, volunteers will be provided one (1) free ticket to the Nutcracker performance of their choice.