Diamond Dance Works

2025 NUTCRACKER INFORMATION

The Nutcracker “The Land of Snow and Sweets” 2025 (Act II with Snow Scene) will take place at Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center. Dress rehearsal will take place at the Diamond Dance Works studios.

Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center

33606 N 60th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85266

Friday November 21st – Dress Rehearsal at the dance studio (MANDATORY)

4:15pm call time for anyone cast as Sugar Plum, Spanish, Arabian, Marzipan, Snowflakes, and Waltz of the Flowers.

4:30-5:15 Warm-up Class for the aforementioned dancers. 

5:00pm Call time for all remaining dancers: Angels, Mother Ginger, Attendants, Candy Canes, and Chinese Tea

5:00-5:25 Dancers change into costume

5:30-7:45 Dress Rehearsal.

7:45 Dancers are able to be picked up after changing out of their costumes.

Saturday November 22nd – Performances at 11:00 and 2:00pm at Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center

8:30am Call time for those cast as Sugar Plum, Spanish, Arabian, Marzipan, Snowflakes, and Waltz of the Flowers.

8:40-9:15am Warm-up class for the above listed dancers.

9:15am Call Time for Angels, Mother Ginger, Attendants, Candy Canes, and Chinese Tea

9:30am-10:20am Spacing onstage for all dancers.

10:30am Doors open to audience members

11:00am Performance A begins (approximately one hour in duration), followed by short photo opportunity in the lobby.

***Short lunch break to follow performance.***

1:00pm Call time for those cast as Sugar Plum, Spanish, Arabian, Marzipan, Candy Canes, Snowflakes, and Waltz of the Flowers.

1:00- Warm-up for the above listed dancers.

1:15pm Call Time for Angels, Mother Ginger, Attendants, and Chinese Tea

1:30pm Doors open to audience members.

2:00pm Performance B begins (approximately one hour in duration), followed by short photo opportunity in the lobby.

Select dancers will be in the lobby in costume following each performance for photos with the audience. Dancers not asked to do these photos must change out of their costumes prior to entering the theatre lobby. No exceptions.

**All costumes are property of Diamond Dance Works and will be brought to and from the venue by studio staff. Girls should arrive with their pink tights on, and all male and female dancers should have hair and makeup finished. Dancers scheduled for warm-up class should have a leotard. Please scroll down for detailed information regarding hair, makeup, and shoes.

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The Nutcracker participation fee is $200 per dancer. This fee includes all dancer rehearsals and choreography as well as dancer costume rental for the show and is charged to the card on file on August 23rd. All costumes are turned back into DDW after the show.

Saturday rehearsals: Saturday September 20th, 1:30-4:00pm (excluding Angels)

Saturday October 4th 1:30-4:00pm (all dancers)

Saturday October 18th 1:30-4:00pm (all dancers)

Saturday November 1st, 1:30-4:00pm (all dancers)

Saturday November 15th, 1:30-4:00pm (all dancers)

Dress Rehearsal (mandatory): Friday November 21st (see times above under dress rehearsal)

Performances: Saturday November 22nd 11:00 and 2:00

Ticket Sales:

Ticket sales begin Tuesday November 4th at 10:00AM. Ticket sales are online only, and cannot be purchased at the studio. All seating is assigned seating. Every seat in the venue is a great seat. There is no ticket limit per family. Ticket prices vary from $20-$35 each and any child 2 years old or older needs a ticket whether or not they will be sitting on a lap. Seating Chart is available here. Section 1, 2 and 3 are closest to the stage. The ticket link will not go live until 11/4 at 10:00AM. Purchase tickets here Doors will open to audience members thirty minutes prior to the start of the performance.

Flower Pre-Order

Celebrate your dancer by saying job well done, bravo, kudos and I love you with our rose bouquets. Get your flowers early and pick them up at the show! Your dancer deserves it! Assorted roses which come in a variety if colors are available in 6 and 12 stem. Our Glitter Roses and Pastel Rainbow Tie-Dye are available in 6 and 12 stem. Order now and pick up with ease at the show. Please pick up before the end of the show. To pre-order visit our pre order page here. Last day to pre-order flowers is November 5th.

Diamond Grams:

Diamond Grams go on sale October 22nd and can be purchased at the studio to write a message or to wish your dancer good luck! If you would like your Diamond Gram to be delivered backstage during the performance then you must purchase and turn in your Diamond Grams by November 21st. Diamond Grams will be sold at the venue, but these will not be delivered to dancers backstage. Diamond Grams purchased at the venue are yours to give to your dancer yourself. Diamond Grams are $2 each.

Performance Check In/Out:

Show Participation Forms were already turned in for every student in order to be able to participate in the show. The two names that were given to the studio prior to the show date will be the only two names that can pick up or check in a student. Every dancer must be signed in and out. Dancers ages 10 and up may sign themselves out if prior approval was granted by a parent, and we have the signature of that parent on file. If you need to update your form please email office@diamonddanceworks.com

Volunteers:

If you wish to volunteer please email ballet@diamonddanceworks.com. We are only looking for 5 volunteers per show.

Girls apparel requirements:

Pink ballet shoes (no glitter shoes) and/or pink pointe shoes (only for dancers performing on pointe). Non-glitter shoes may be purchased at the studio if needed. Pink ballet tights (no fashion tights), which may be purchased at the studio if needed. An extra pair is recommended in case tights rip while backstage.

Nail polish and fake nails may not be worn onstage. Please make sure all nail polish is removed prior to dress rehearsal.

Ladies are encouraged to wear rhinestone stud earrings. If your dancer does not have pierced ears, they may wear clip-on versions. Younger dancers would need only small earrings, but older dancers/those in lead roles may wear bigger studs. Both are available for purchase at the front desk of the studio for your convienence.

Girls hair requirements:

Please see the video and follow “Recital Bun” guidelines, not “Class Bun” guidelines. Buns should be just higher than the center of the back of the head. Please no buns directly on top of the head. Hair should be slicked back (no part), the bun should be as flat as possible (no donuts or bunmakers), and all buns should be secured with a hairnet the color of their hair. Please pack extra hair accessories (brush, comb, hairpins, hairspray, etc) with your dancer to allow for any touchups.

Girls makeup:

All ladies should have liquid or powder foundation, blush, and a mauve-colored lipstick or lipstain (no red or pink). Eyeshadow should stay in the pink or neutral range (no blue, purple, etc) and eyebrows should be defined with pencil or powder so they can be seen from stage. Mascara is recommended for all ages. Older dancers should wear false eyelashes. Eyeliner is optional for younger dancers, but black winged eyeliner on the top lid is required for older dancers (10 and up). Blush should be worn by all girls. Older dancers may use bronzer as well to define cheekbones, jawlines, and hairlines. Please have your dancers come to the venue with their makeup products packed in their bags so they can be touched up if needed.

Lipstick/lipstain examples: Maybelline: On the Mauve, Pink Score, Rose Embrace / Revlon Mauvy Night, Plum Baby / Neutrogena Plum Perfect, Berry Brown. ***You do not need to purchase any of these brands specifically, but please stay within this color family.

Boys requirements:

Boys may wear their hair how they normally do for ballet class, but if hair is parted make sure it is a clean line and slicked as needed. Makeup may be minimal (powder or foundation) just to alleviate any shine on the face from stage lights.

Pointe Shoe Decorating Contest:

Purchase a new pointe shoe for $20 and decorate it! You can use paint, embellishments, ribbon etc. Every pointe shoe will be displayed in the theatre lobby at the performances and will be silent auctioned. All money raised during the silent auction will go to our Shine Bright Scholarship Fund. Examples Below! Click Here to Enter Contest

Nutcracker Picture Day:

Picture Day for Nutcracker 2025 will take place on Saturday, November 1st between 9am and 12pm at Diamond Dance Works. Bookings for Picture Day take place directly through Cayla Hoskin of Studio Pro Photography, not through Diamond Dance Works.

Book your photo session by scanning the QR code in the photo to the left:

Costumes, hairpieces, and props will be prepped and waiting for you at the studio. Dancers will change into their costumes at the studio, so please arrive slightly early to your appointment to allow time for changing.

Dancers may wear their hair and makeup however they would like. Dancers on pointe may wear pointe shoes regardless of whether or not they’re performing on pointe in the performances.