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Cast Handbook:Costume Requirements

Occasionally, costume requirements listed below may change.  You will be notified if there are changes, additions, or deletions to the listed costume requirements.

  • Performers are NOT allowed to change, alter, or add or subtract jewels, ribbons, etc. to any costume piece without being first granted permission by the Artistic Director.
  • Be sure all headpieces are securely pinned on before going on stage.
  • Participants in Backstage at the Ballet:  No pointe shoes will be worn, canvas ballet shoes must be clean, with no holes, and should not have ribbons sewn on.

    
The following is a list of costume supplies each performer will need to provide. Pink tights/shoes have been listed as our preferred tight/shoe color.  However, the Artistic Director will consider tight/shoe colors that more closely match dancers’ skin tone upon request. Beginning at the first dress rehearsal at the Lied Center, performers must bring these items:

Clara:  nude or light pink camisole leotard, seamed pink tights, pointe shoes 

Nutcracker:  white tights, white ballet shoes, black men’s ballet boots

Fritz and Party Boys:  white dance tights (no socks), black slip on jazz shoes

Big Party Girls:  seamed pink tights, nude or light pink leotard, pointe shoes

Mouse King:  black jazz shoes

Little Party Girls: seamed pink tights, nude or light pink leotard, required pink canvas ballet slippers

Maids: seamed pink tights, pointe shoes

Party Women: unseamed pink tights, black character shoes

Party Men:  black socks, black oxford dress shoes

Drosselmeier:  white tights, black shoes

Columbine: white camisole leotard

Female Harlequin:  seamed pink tights, nude brief

Male Harlequin:  white tights, shoes to dye

Jester: black painted pointe shoes (Pointe shoe paint available at local dance stores), Extra pointe shoes available to be dyed when needed

Celestial Fairies: seamed tights, pointe shoes

Angels:  unseamed pink tights, LMBC required ballet slippers, white short-sleeve leotard (no black leotards)

Big/Little Mice:  canvas ballet slippers to be dyed, no tights needed, may choose to wear a nude colored leotard under the costume if more comfortable. 

Soldiers: black slip-on jazz shoes, nude or flesh-colored leotard, unseamed pink tights

Snow Queen, Snow Princesses, Snow Corps, Marzipan, Russia, Spain, Dew Drop, Demi Dews, Flower Corps:  seamed pink tights, pointe shoes as needed

Spanish Background and Russian Background:  LMBC required flesh-colored tights (no hose), black character shoes

Arabian Queen: pointe shoes to be painted tan (Pointe shoe paint available at local dance stores), Extra pointe shoes available to be dyed when needed;

Arabian Background: no shoes, no tights

China:  seamed tights, black painted pointe shoes (Pointe shoe paint available at local dance stores), Extra pointe shoes available to be dyed when needed

Chinese Background:  black camisole leotard, pink seamed tights, black pointe shoes (Pointe shoe paint available at local dance stores). Bottom sole, ribbons, and elastic should not be painted black)

Elves: canvas ballet slippers to be dyed, unseamed pink tights, may choose to wear a nude colored leotard under costume if more comfortable

Garland Children:  seamed pink tights, required LMBC canvas split sole ballet slippers, may choose to wear a white camisole leotard under costume if more comfortable

Sugar & Spice:  pink unseamed tights, required LMBC canvas split sole ballet slippers

Bonbons:  white dance tights, white gymnastic shoes 

NOTE:  Dancers invited to appear at special events may be asked to wear costumes for roles other than those for which they have been cast.

Tights Requirements

When tights are listed as a required costume piece, please refer to the following specifications:

  • Seamed Tights:
    • Brand: Body Wrappers
    • Color: Classical Ballet Pink
    • Adult Style #: A39, Child Style #: C39
  • Unseamed Tights:
    • Brand: Capezio
    • Color: Ballet Pink
  • Flesh Colored Tights:
    • Brand: Capezio
    • Color: Carmel
  • White Colored Tights:
    • Brand: Capezio
    • Color: White

Please ensure tights match these requirements exactly for uniformity on stage. If you have any questions about which type your dancer needs, please refer to the costume notes for your role or contact the executive director.

Shoes Requirements

  • Pointe Shoes:  All girls who are cast on pointe will be required to sew on their ribbons in the same fashion. Please buy your pointe shoes early including back-up pairs for performances. Have additional pairs of pointe shoes for rehearsals.
  • Ballet Shoes:  You must provide your own ballet shoes. The required shoe for the show is:
    •  So Danca SD16 canvas split sole ballet shoes
  • Character Shoes:  
    • Capezio Style 550 or 832. Should be black with 1½ inch heels.
  • Rehearsal Shoes:  Wear the appropriate dance shoes for your role(s) at all rehearsals.

Shoes to Dye

When Shoes to Dye is listed as a required costume piece, please follow these specifications:

  • Shoes to dye must be canvas ballet shoes.
  • Shoes do not need to be new; gently used shoes are acceptable.
  • Please note that canvas shoes may shrink slightly when painted, causing them to feel more snug. Do not send shoes your dancer has outgrown, as they may become uncomfortable on stage.
  • Clearly label each shoe with the performer’s name and place both shoes in a plastic bag labeled with the performer’s name on the outside.

If you have any questions, call Maralee Maldavs at 402-217-1272 or Amy Weber 402-441-0739