WB Nutracker?

[Anonymous]

Yes, PB3's are generally the mushrooms or the bees. 1A's are angels and possibly mice. 2's are soldiers. 3's are clowns.
Party children are always more advanced students who are small for their age.

[Anonymous]

My daughter is PB3. They are bumble bees, blossoms and mushrooms.

[Anonymous]

We have been snow angel for 2 seasons, and in level 2 she is a soldier. It goes by level.

[Anonymous]

What are the chances of being a party child?

[Anonymous]

Great if you donate a ton of money.

[Anonymous]

Or if you are a boy.

[Anonymous]

How much $ does it take? Does it need to be $1k, $5k or $10k? I am guessing that $500 isn't going to make a difference for a party girl.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the boy thing, but buying a spot?
I have noticed though that some of the girls are always in thee party girl role...if that is the case, that needs to be addressed with Dona. I am sure that they don't need that publicity. I also noticed that the same moms are volunteering for everything and their girls are always well-placed.
That really sucks.
I can definitely do all of the above, but will never do. I hate hypocrites and favoritism.

[Anonymous]

I can't imagine that a girl would feel good knowing that her parents bought her a part in the show!

[Anonymous]

I agree with the boy thing, but buying a spot?
I have noticed though that some of the girls are always in thee party girl role...if that is the case, that needs to be addressed with Dona. I am sure that they don't need that publicity. I also noticed that the same moms are volunteering for everything and their girls are always well-placed.
That really sucks.
I can definitely do all of the above, but will never do. I hate hypocrites and favoritism.

I don't think it's any different at WB than with other sports - the hyper-involved parents' kids often benefit from their extra help. At WB the parents who volunteer all the time or the ones that are big supporters of the ballet financially aren't really any different than soccer/LAX/hockey moms. Their kid may get to be goalie, more playing time, or a coveted role in the nutcracker because of their extra help. I don't think this is unique to WB. When I was a kid I had a friend whose mother was a room parent every year at our school. When we all raised our hands excitedly for a special assignment, and the teacher scanned the room, by the 4th grade we all knew it was just a formality because the room mom's kid was chosen nearly every time. Helicopter parenting may be more prevalent now than when I was growing up but it's not a new phenomenon.

On the plus side, at WB parents aren't allowed on the sidelines during classes so their influence is somewhat isolated to Nutcracker.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:hee hee can't stop saying Nutracker! Ouch.

I know 11-year old boys who have more maturity than you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I agree with the boy thing, but buying a spot?
I have noticed though that some of the girls are always in thee party girl role...if that is the case, that needs to be addressed with Dona. I am sure that they don't need that publicity. I also noticed that the same moms are volunteering for everything and their girls are always well-placed.
That really sucks.
I can definitely do all of the above, but will never do. I hate hypocrites and favoritism.

I don't think it's any different at WB than with other sports - the hyper-involved parents' kids often benefit from their extra help. At WB the parents who volunteer all the time or the ones that are big supporters of the ballet financially aren't really any different than soccer/LAX/hockey moms. Their kid may get to be goalie, more playing time, or a coveted role in the nutcracker because of their extra help. I don't think this is unique to WB. When I was a kid I had a friend whose mother was a room parent every year at our school. When we all raised our hands excitedly for a special assignment, and the teacher scanned the room, by the 4th grade we all knew it was just a formality because the room mom's kid was chosen nearly every time. Helicopter parenting may be more prevalent now than when I was growing up but it's not a new phenomenon.

On the plus side, at WB parents aren't allowed on the sidelines during classes so their influence is somewhat isolated to Nutcracker.


Agreed, except that in the case of the Washington Ballet, the public is paying to see what is supposed to be a top-notch artistic production that is reviewed by the national press ...are you saying ticket buyers are actually paying to see the best efforts of the children of whoever happens to volunteer the most? Hope that's not true.

[Anonymous]

I feel this is very true, and all the pieces are coming together.
As paying parents, we are all contributing to this "non-profit" organization. It is enough that we have to pay high price to see our kids perform And we need to pay the same for our kids to watch their own show they are in ...

All it's somehow acceptable, what is not acceptable is that WBS is creating that exclusive club, and for the last 4 years, I can list all, unchanged members of it.
What should we say to our kids that ask when can I be a party girl? Should we tell them the truth??
You know that this is going to be out among them and will eventually cause controversy.
I will really don't think that being a party girl for 3 years in a row is fair anyways, but having your parents pay the price for it? It will make a nice news headlines which in DC is matter of an email.

[Anonymous]

Not a WB insider, but somewhat familiar with the ballet world.

I'd be really surprised if casting is influenced by $ contributions or even parent nagging. What seems to matter is
-who's going to fit into the costumes
-work ethic [taking direction, remembering the part, remembering gear, showing up on time, being ready...)
-stage presence
-dance skill

Overinvolved parents can be just as much of a problem as underinvolved ones.

As for Nutcracker party girls--has the casting really been static for 3 years, or have some of the girls moved from being baby party girl to bigger party girl?

[Anonymous]

Agreed, except that in the case of the Washington Ballet, the public is paying to see what is supposed to be a top-notch artistic production that is reviewed by the national press ...are you saying ticket buyers are actually paying to see the best efforts of the children of whoever happens to volunteer the most? Hope that's not true.

The students supplement the company production - any enrolled student should be able to perform the part their level typically gets after two months of rehearsing it. The quality of the overall production is not at risk because the student parts are more cute than technically difficult. The bees will get applause no matter what they do onstage!

For most kids who stick with it over the years, there will be years when the stars are aligned and they get the part/cast they want and years where they won't. Of course there are others who are consistently "lucky" and there does seem to be a pattern with Nutcracker.