Sunday, November 6, 2011

The Nutcracker Festival

Fairies, pirates, ghosts and …Nutcracker Characters???  Wait a minute! Isn’t this supposed to be Halloween?  Why are there visions of Sugar Plum fairies and Rats in my head?  And, I’m pretty sure I just saw the Snow Queen!  If you happened upon the studios of Texas Ballet Theater last Thursday, this is exactly what you would have seen!  The Annual Fall Festival was a great success!  Children were invited to dress up in their costumes and join us on a studio scavenger hunt with a twist on the traditional ‘Trick-or-Treat.’  Guests were given a scavenger hunt map with nine spots to locate and meet Nutcracker Characters.  Mother Ginger, one of her Clown Children and Claire greeted guests as they arrived and sent them on their quest.  The characters rewarded the ‘hunters’ with a sticker for their specific location and of course, Halloween candy!  Guests were treated to encounters with Nutcracker Party Children, The Rats, a Spanish Dancer, the Snow Queen, The Sugar Plum Fairy, and of course, The Nutcracker Himself!  Characters were happy to satisfy the photo-snapping parents and tirelessly posed for pictures with their excited fans.  Along the way guests were treated to a ‘refreshment stop’ and Nutcracker craft in the studio kitchen.  We had fresh popcorn and lemonade and Nutcracker magnets to color and take home.  TBT was also offering discounted tickets to see The Nutcracker to any guests who purchased tickets during the event.  What a great way to enjoy Halloween and begin the excitement of the upcoming Christmas/Nutcracker season!
Shannon Smith